Comelec chief to partylist groups: Exercise ‘mutual respect, civility’

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. has urged party-lists to exercise “mutual respect” and “civility,” saying that the poll body acknowledged that the cleansing of the system was a very important issue to everyone.

In his official twitter account, Brillantes noted that he encouraged public debate over issues of whether partylist organizations were marginalized or not.

“We cannot, however, resort to violence and commit disrespectful and vulgar acts just to make a point,” Brillantes said.

“With this, I call for mutual respect and civility among partylist groups,” he added.

He also assured the public that the Comelec would arrive at a decision that would be “fair and according to law.”

Brillantes made the call after members of the Akbayan partylist and members of the left-leaning youth group Anakbayan engaged in word war during the former’s press conference in Manila Tuesday morning.

While Akbayan was explaining why it’s partylist should not be barred from running in next year’s polls, some members of Anakbayan came in and chanted “Disqualify Akbayan, fake partylist” while the briefing was on going.

Members of the Anakbayan had been calling for the disqualification of  Akbayan, saying that it had ceased to represent the marginalized sector since its members held key positions in the government.