32 more groups lose poll bid

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday that 32 more party-list organizations, including the “I Will Serve” group backed by television host Willie Revillame, are not allowed to run in the 2013 polls.

This brings to 173 the number of disqualified party-list groups.

In a press briefing, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said the groups were the ones earlier disqualified by the agency’s two divisions but did not file motions for reconsideration (MRs) before the full commission.

“We have yet to announce their names because their folders somehow got lost in the process. The decisions are now deemed final,” he added.

As a policy, the Comelec subjects to automatic review the party-list groups approved by either its first or second division. The rejected ones, on the other hand, must file MRs to be re-evaluated.

The disqualified groups were 1 Adbokasiya para sa mga Handikap at Ispesyal na Kabataan, Itaguyod Natin (1 ADHIKAIN); 1-Aangat Ka Pilipino (1-AK); 1-Asal Party-list (1-ASAL); 1ePinoy Inc. (1ePINOY); Aabante Aaksyonan Abusado Amor (AAMOR); Ako at Ang Basura (AKO BA); AKO KARAY-A (AK); Ako Para sa Batang Pinoy (BATANG PINOY); Aktibong Tricycle ng Masa, Inc. (ATM); Alliance for Democracy and Morality-Bantay Pasahero (ADAM-BANTAY PASAHERO); Alliance of Rural and Urban Groups for Social Advancement (ARUGA); Alyansa ng mga Pilipino sa Abroad (APA); Ang Tubig ay Bigay Policy Reform Movement (TUBIG H2O); Aniban ng Magtutubig ng Pilipinas (AMA NG PILIPINAS); and Bangon Mangingisda (BM).

The others were Bonafide and Enlightened Scions of Truth Guardians Coalition (BEST GUARDIANS); D’Manggagawa Balo Solo Parent Senior Citizen Civic Community (MBS); Gumil Filipinas, Inc. (1-GUMIL); Ina ng Bayan (INA); Kalahi Sectoral Party (KALAHI); Mindanao Allied Forces, Inc. (MAF); Nagkaisang Alay sa Bayan ng Maka-Diyos at Makabayang Nangangalakal (1ABAYAN); National Crusaders for Peace and Democracy (NCPD); Philippine Banana Pioneer Foundation, Inc. (BANANA WORKERS); Poor’s Free College Inc. (POORFREECOLL); Sararong Bicolnon Inc. (SARARONG BICOLNON); Tanod Bayan Kontra Krimen (TABAKK); UPTHODA; Urban Poor and Development Services, Inc. (UPDS); Vendors Aggrupation (@1 VENDORS); and WOW Philippines Political Party (WOW PHILIPPINES).

Last week, the Comelec announced that 79 party-list groups were found qualified to participate in next year’s elections.

Meanwhile, the Binhi-Partido Ng Mga Magsasaka Para Sa Mga Magsasaka or BINHI has questioned before the Supreme Court (SC) the decision of the Comelec to disqualify it from next year’s polls.

In a petition filed yesterday, the group sought relief from the high court against the “whimsical and abusive” cancellation of its accreditation and registration by the poll body for the mere reason that its members are affiliated with a cooperative in Cabanatuan City. – With Edu Punay