SC allows 18 more partylists to join 2013 race

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Supreme Court has allowed 18 more partylist groups to participate in next year’s election.

In separate resolutions, the high court issued a status quo ante in favour of Friends of Imelda Romualdez Marcos 24k, Atong Paglaum, Kaagapay ng Nagkakaisang Aguilang Pilipinong Magsasaka (KAP), Alab ng Mamamahayag (ALAB), Aangat Tayo, Abang Lingkod, Alliance of Bicolnon (ABP-Bicolnon), A
Blessed Federation of Farmers and Fishermen International Inc. (A
Blessed), 1-AANI and United Movement Against Drugs Foundation Inc.
(Unimad).

Other groups given an SQA were Bayani, Action League of Indigenous Masses (ALIM), Butil Farmers (Butil), Alliance of Advocates in Mining Advancement for National Progress (AAMA), Social Movement for Active Reform and Transparency (SMART), Adhikain at Kilusan ng Ordinaryong Tao Para sa Lupa, Hanapbuhay at Kaunlaran (Ako Bahay), 1 Guardians Nationalist of the Philippines Inc. (1Ganap Guardians) and Green Force.

A status quo ante is issued to preserve the last actual peaceable and uncontested status before the litigation or filing of a petition which means while the SQA is in place, it’s as if no resolution disqualifying them has been issued and they can still run for the 2013 elections.

With the new SQA granted, there are already 33 groups given the SQA. It will stay until the high court rules on the merits of their petitions.

Other groups covered by the SQA include Ako Bicol (AKB), Association of
Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC), 1st Consumer’s Alliance for
Rural Energy Inc. (1CARE) and Alliance for Rural Concerns (ARC),
Aksyon Magsasaka-Partido Tinig ng Masa (Akma-PTM), Kapatiran ng mga
Nakulong na Walang Sala Inc. (Kakusa), Alliance for Rural and Agrarian
Reconstruction Inc. (Araro) and Association for Righteousness Advocacy
on Leadership (ARAL).

On Nov. 20, the high court issued three more SQAs in favour of Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (Anad), Philippine Guardian Brotherhood Inc. (1Bro-PGBI) and Agapay ng Indigenous Peoples Rights Alliance Inc. (A-IPRA).

Last week, the group of retired General Jovito Palparan, Bantay, Agri-Agra na reporma Para sa Magsasaka ng Pilipinas Movement (Agri), Action Brotherhood for Active Dreamers Inc. (Abroad) and Coconut Producers Federation (Cocofed) were also included in the SQA.

All the groups, in their separate petitions accused the Commission on Election (Comelec) of committing grave abuse of discretion when they were disqualified by the poll body despite complying with the requirements stated under the law.

They added that they were deprived of their right to due process after the Comelec failed to get their side before disqualifying them.