Rejected party-list group accuses Comelec of extortion

MANILA, Philippines - A party-list group composed of media practitioners barred from joining the 2013 elections accused the Commission on Elections (Comelec) of trying to extort P3 million from them in exchange for accreditation.

In a 21-page motion for reconsideration, the Alab ng Mamamahayag (ALAM) said the Comelec’s Second Division erred when it rejected their petition for accreditation to join next year’s party-list race.

ALAM insisted that the Comelec’s ruling that it lacks the track record is “not a ground” to deny their application.

The group’s nominees are Jerry Yap, lawyer Berteni Causing, Benny Antiporda, Analiza de la Camara-Paz and Joey Venancio.