SC order on partylists ‘no effect’ as Comelec purge continues

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said Wednesday that the status quo ante order issued by the Supreme Court in favor of four partylist groupps has “no effect” on the Comelec.

The high court granted the petition of Ako Bicol, The Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC), 1-CARE and Alliance on Rural Concerns to stop the poll body from delisting them as partylist groups.

But Brillantes said it still has no effect since they have not enforced their decision to drop the four..

“Walang epekto ang status quo ante, kasi hindi pa namin i-ne-e-enforce ang decision namin,” Brillantes told the reporters.

“Our decision will only be enforceable only come January, the start of configuration.”

Brillantes said they have requested the high tribunal to resolve the status quo ante before going on recess in December.

But if the issue isn’t resolved,  the Comelec will have to add Ako Bicol, APEC, 1-CARE and Alliance on Rural Concerns in the ballots.

“Pag hindi nila (SC) ni-lift ang SQA, before we start configuration, then we have to add them. Ibig sabihin tuloy parin ang SQA. It has to be before January.”

And once Supreme Court rules in the Comelec’s favor just before the elections, “lahat ng boto para sa kanila, hindi bibilangin.”

Meanwhile, 10 more partylist groups were disqualified by the Comelec en banc — two of which were part of the previous elections — Abot Tqnaw and ABROAD.

Eight new groups  were not granted accreditation.

These are: Guardian, Hukobng Querubin, Ilaw, Samahang Ilocanong Magsasaka, Angat Ahon Magsasaka, Good, Una Edukasyon, and Courage.

Brilliantes offered the same answer for the new round of disqualifications, “they are not marginalized.”