Groups urge SC to rethink ruling expanding party lists

MANILA, Philippines—Civil and militant groups on Monday urged the Supreme Court to overturn what they branded as its “unpopular” decision allowing nonmarginalized sectors to participate in the party-list elections, saying that the ruling has virtually hammered the final nail on the coffin of a tool for social justice.

Poll watchdog Kontra Daya said that the party-list system had long been abused and undermined by the rich and powerful and that the high court’s decision would only further serve to ease out marginalized sectors from the system.

“This SC decision is the last nail on the coffin. The SC has legitimized the domination of the rich and powerful, the political dynasties and the various special interest groups of the elite. The marginalized sectors will continuously be eased out,” said Fr. Joe Dizon, convenor of Kontra Daya.

Early last year, Kontra Daya fought for the cleansing of the party-list system, supplying the Commission on Elections (Comelec) with documents of organizations that appeared not to meet the legal requirements.

The Comelec used the database as one of its guides in reviewing the eligibility of the groups allowed to run in the coming balloting, eventually disqualifying over 100 groups that were not considered marginalized.

The Makabayan coalition, for its part, described the ruling of the high tribunal as “unjust” as it would allow big capitalists to participate in the party-list elections by feigning advocacy for workers and peasants.

“The decision only exacerbates the elitist and oligarchic control of our political system and allows the rich to further dominate the already measly 20 percent of the seats in Congress allotted to the party-list system in the guise of political pluralism,” the group stated.

‘Oppressors get green light’

“While progressive pro-people party-lists like Kabataan and Piston, which have long advocated for the youth and the driver sectors, are unjustly and arbitrarily singled out for disqualification, those who have oppressed and exploited the marginalized and underrepresented sectors are given the green light,” it said.

The group added that it found the SC’s decision suspicious and strange since in 2009 in the case of Banat vs Comelec, the high tribunal reiterated that major political parties like the Liberal Party and Lakas-Kampi were disqualified from joining the party-list election.

“The Supreme Court suddenly turns around and allows them to compete with hapless party-list groups from the indigenous peoples, workers, persons with disabilities and other marginalized sectors,” it said.

“Once these major political parties get their seats in the next Congress, they will make it impossible to amend the party-list law to make it an effective social justice tool for the people,” it added.

At least 12 party-list groups under the coalition also called on the Comelec to defend its earlier decision disqualifying 54 groups from the May 13 elections.

In a press conference on Monday, the groups said the ruling must be met with “strong opposition” by the Comelec to preserve the spirit of the party-list system.

“We call on the Comelec to defend its decision in disqualifying these fake party-list groups and demand reconsideration from the Supreme Court,” said the groups, whose members trooped to Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila, to press their demand.

The groups included Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Kabataan, Piston, Akap Bata, Kalikasan, Katribu, Migrante, Courage, Gabriela, ACT Teachers and Aking Bicolnon.

In his Twitter account, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. echoed the sentiments of the groups.

“Under the new parameters, small and marginalized groups will now have to compete with moneyed and well-connected political parties and groups,” said Brillantes over the weekend.

But in an interview with reporters on Monday, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said it appeared that the Comelec en banc was no longer inclined to appeal the ruling.—With a report from Leila B. Salaverria