Task force formed for Maguindanao

Bayan Muna has taken the lead in the quick count of the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) for party-list.

In the 23rd partial and unofficial report of Namfrel released at 4:28 p.m. yesterday, Bayan Muna garnered a total of 172,932 out of 2,487,272 votes cast for party-list in May 14 polls, or about 6.95 percent.

Buhay, which is supported by El Shaddai leader Mariano “Bro. Mike” Velarde, remained in second place with 159,312 votes, while the women’s group Gabriela dropped to third with 137,960 votes.

The fourth and fifth places were occupied by Citizen’s Battle Against Corruption (Cibac) and Apec, with 101,409 and 91,158 votes, respectively.

Rounding up the top ten are A Teacher, with 82,477; Akbayan, with 79,955; Coop-Natcco, with 72,233 votes; Anakpawis, with 66,843 votes; and Abono, 61,637 votes.

The party-list poll, unlike the senatorial election, is conducted on a percentage basis. A party can have a congressional seat if it receives two percent of the total number of votes cast for party-list.

However, regardless of the numbers of votes they received, a party-list is entitled to a maximum of three seats in Congress. – Edu Punay