‘No policy shift for party-list system’

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not changing the guidelines governing party-list elections despite the uproar over the qualification of several nominees.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the Supreme Court (SC) had ruled years ago so it has no choice but to comply with the decision.

“The Comelec, since the beginning of the party-list system, always adhered to the interpretation of the law by the SC,” Jimenez said.

“These are the guidelines that the Comelec will have to follow and the poll body remains committed to the guidelines,” he added.

Jimenez said the Comelec could not go beyond the bounds of the law and the SC ruling.

Poll watchdog group Kontra Daya has asked the Comelec to prevent the entry of nominees who do not come from the marginalized sector and  stop politicians from extending their domain to the party-list system.

Kontra Daya said it would file a petition seeking to reverse the SC ruling that allows non-members to represent a party-list group.

Jimenez said the filing of a petition before the SC is the right action to be taken by Kontra Daya and concerned groups.

“The proper relief should be sought from the proper parties. And if the problem of some groups is with the interpretation, which is handed down by the court, then perhaps the solution lies with the court,” he said.

A total of 185 party-list organizations have filed their list of nominees to participate in next year’s polls.