MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the Commission on Election (Comelec)’s decision to cancel the registration of An Waray as a party-list organization.
The SC said the Comelec did not gravely abuse its discretion when it canceled An Waray’s registration, based on Section 6(5) of the Party-List System Act.
Under such provision, violation of election laws or rules is a ground for the cancellation of a party-list’s registration.
The high tribunal said An Waray violated a Comelec resolution when the group allowed one of its nominees, Victoria Isabel Noel, to assume office when it was entitled to only one seat in the House of Representatives.
During the 2013 elections, An Waray was initially entitled to two House seats for its first and second nominees, Neil Benedict Montejo and Noel, respectively. They took their oaths of office in the same year.
In 2014, the Comelec declared that An Waray was entitled to only one seat.