Comelec asked to disqualify Bro. Mike from party-list race

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) was asked yesterday to disqualify El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde as a nominee of the Buhay party-list organization.

In his seven-page petition, Rolando Layug said having Velarde as the fifth nominee of Buhay is a proof that the group is a mere extension of El Shaddai, thus violating the party-list system.

“There is not only preponderance of evidence but proof beyond reasonable doubt establishing, confirming and vindicating this honorable commission’s finding that Buhay is an extension of the El Shaddai and is illegally and unconstitutionally representing the religious sector,” the petition stated.

Buhay’s leading nominee is Velarde’s son Mariano Michael.

El Shaddai spokesman Mel Robles said he is not worried that Velarde would be disqualified as nominee of the Buhay party-list since the arguments used were rehashed and have already been settled.

Robles said while they have not yet received the official copy of the disqualification case against Velarde, it appeared that there were no sufficient grounds to grant the petition.

He clarified that the Buhay is not a sectoral group, but a political party.