Traders slam LPG party-list group

The LPG Marketers Association party list sponsors a feeding program in Barangay 161 in Caloocan City in February 2013. The Federation of Philippine Industries on Monday, Feb. 18, 2013, asked the Supreme Court to stop the Commission on Elections from allowing the LPG LPGMA to take part in the party-list election, saying the group did not represent a sector authorized by the party-list law. PHOTO FROM LPGMA.COM.PH

MANILA, Philippines—A big business group on Monday asked the Supreme Court to stop the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from allowing the LPG Marketers Association Inc. (LPGMA) to take part in the party-list election, saying the group did not represent a sector authorized by the party-list law.

The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) filed a petition for certiorari on the Comelec resolution dated Dec. 13 last year that retained LPGMA’s party-list registration, and asked the high court to issue a temporary restraining order stopping the group and the poll body from implementing the resolution.

According to the FPI, the LPGMA has described itself as representing the marginalized and independent entrepreneurs and retailers of LPG. But the FPI noted that nowhere in the party-list law or in the Constitution does it provide (for a slot) for the sector of businessmen, traders, marketers, entrepreneurs and retailers of LPG.

“LPGMA is not providing any public service; it is engaged in the business (of) selling LPG to make a profit,” the FPI said.

The group also said that the retention of LPGMA’s party-list registration was a grave abuse of discretion on the part of the poll body based on the fact that Rep. Arnel Uy, an incorporator, member of the board of trustees and president of LPGMA, is “a big businessman and certified multimillionaire.”