44 of 153 party-list groups accredited

A total of 153 organizations have expressed their desire to gain seats in Congress on May 14 – twice the number in the 2004 elections, records of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) show.

Out of the 153 that want party-list representation in the House of Representatives, 44 have so far been accredited by the poll body while 33 were delisted, Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos said yesterday.

In the 2004 elections, only 77 party-list groups filed their manifestations, according to Comelec records, and this included both accredited and delisted organizations.

Abalos stressed that groups that do not really represent marginalized sectors and are not even capable of mounting a nationwide campaign would not be allowed to run.

The filing of the certificates of candidacy on the national level of the elections ended Monday. The 153 groups have submitted the names of their nominees.

In a 34-page resolution, the Comelec released the initial list of party-list groups that were found qualified to join the polls.

The 33 organizations disqualified were given three days to submit their motion for reconsideration.

The petition for registration of Kasangga sa Kaunlaran Inc., the group of President Arroyo’s sister-in-law Malou is still under evaluation.

Meanwhile, an official of the Comelec lamented yesterday that the poll body is doing injustice to party-list groups by charging them a fee of P6,050 for wanting to take part in the midterm elections.

"It’s double kill. They are doing injustice to party-list groups," the source said.

The official claimed that upon registration for accreditation as party-list, a group is required to pay P3,000 and another P3,050 when they file a manifestation to participate in the election.

"We should not be doing this because in the first place, they still have to wait for the Comelec decision whether or not they can be accredited. So why pay for the manifestation?" the official said.

Asked to comment, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez argued the fees being collected were legal as they are "part of the rules and procedures of the commission."

Jimenez explained that the registration and manifestation charges would have to be paid separately because they are considered "administrative fees."

The source admitted that it is the initiative of such groups to pay for the manifestation fee although their application for accreditation is still pending.

"That’s because they want to save time. In case their accreditation is approved, then their manifestation is already being deliberated upon. But I think we have to review this system to be fair with these groups," the official maintained.

The official added that the Comelec has also issued official receipts for every payment that it receives. – Mayen Jaymalin, Sheila Crisostomo