PISTON files disqualification case vs Reyes

by PAM BROOKE A. CASIN

From Manila Bulletin

Link: http://mb.com.ph/articles/250358/piston-files-disqualification-case-vs-reyes

Militant transport group Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) filed a disqualification case Monday before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against former Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, who has been nominated to represent the party-list group 1-UTAK in the May 10 polls.

PISTON secretary general George San Mateo claimed that Reyes was never part of the sector he is trying to represent. He alleged that as energy secretary, Reyes opted to be an “accomplice” and “lawyer” of the Big 3 instead of siding with drivers and operators against steep oil price hikes.

“Ang interes ng Big 3 ang lagi niyang itinataguyod at hindi ang interes ng drivers at ng mamamayan. (Instead of protecting the public’s interests, he’s always been known to side with major oil players and their economic interests),” he charged.

“Binabastardize ni Reyes ang tunay na diwa ng party-list system. Hindi naman galing si Reyes sa marginalized and underrepresented sectors ng mga driver kaya wala siyang karapatan at hindi qualified na i-represent sila, (Reyes has bastardized the true spirit of the party-list system. He did not come from the marginalized and underrepresented sectors of drivers, that’s why he’s no right and not qualified to represent them),” he claimed in a interview.

San Mateo also expressed doubt as to whether Reyes has been a member of 1-UTAK for the last 90 days before the elections. He said that he could not understand why the group nominated him in the first place.

“Reyes and 1-UTAK are allegedly backed by Malacañang and the Big 3 oil cartel. They were unleashed to serve President Arroyo staying in power even after her term and to also serve the interests of the Big 3,” he claimed.

On March 26, 1-UTAK Representative Vigor Mendoza affirmed Reyes as the first nominee of their party-list, which made Reyes quit his post the same day

Gibo, Edu go to NPA-infested Mindoro

By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star)  

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=560194&publicationSubCategoryId=63

SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines – Administration presidential candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro and his team made their presence felt by campaigning in rebel-infested areas here.

Teodoro, along with vice presidential candidate Edu Manzano, led the entourage in defying threats by the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in areas where just a few weeks ago 11 government troops were killed in an ambush staged by the rebel group.

The troops were waylaid when they were trying to prevent the NPA from implementing their permit to campaign on local candidates.

At the rally Teodoro said he would prioritize development programs for local government units if elected president.

He promised his leadership would determine the concerns of every community to effectively address their particular needs.

“The leader should be capable of understanding the needs of communities to effectively address their respective problems and then give the best solutions,” Teodoro said.

Disclose nominees, party-list groups told

By Leila Salaverria (Philippine Daily Inquirer)  

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100322-260108/Disclose-nominees-party-list-groups-told

MANILA, Philippines—Nominees of party-list organizations, no matter how controversial they may be, should not hide behind their group’s name.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will promptly release the names of the nominees of all 187 party-list groups, according to its legal department director, Ferdinand Rafanan.

Each party-list group is required to submit to the Comelec the names of at least five nominees by March 26.

Rafanan said he would disclose the list of all nominees of the party-list groups the day after the deadline.

The immediate release of the names is expected to give those opposed to the nominees enough time to file disqualification cases against them.

But it’s not only the poll body which should be publicizing the names of the nominees, according to Rafanan.

The groups themselves are required to disclose their choices for representatives in Congress on their own campaign posters, banners and other paraphernalia.

Comelec resolution

“Once they’ve submitted the names, they should include these in their paraphernalia,” Rafanan reminded the party-list groups.

Comelec Resolution No. 8695, issued in November 2009, states: “The party-list parties, organizations or coalitions shall include the names of their nominees in all of their campaign materials.”

PARTYLIST-FOR-SALE! Comelec naalarma rin

Nina JUN TADIOS at ROSE MIRANDA (Abante)
http://abante.com.ph/issue/mar1710/news01.htm

Ibinunyag kahapon ng isang opisyal ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) na maraming ‘bogus’ partylist group na posibleng habol lamang ay magkapera sa pamamagitan ng ‘partylist-for-sale’ na diskarte.

Ayon kay Comelec Law Department chief Atty. Ferdinand Rafanan, may mga nakakarating na sa kanilang ulat ukol dito kaya nag-utos na ito ng masinsinang imbestigasyon.

Ang modus-operandi umano sa ipinagbibiling partylist ay bubuo at mag­hahain ng accreditation sa Comelec ang mga lehitimong marginalized group.

Kalaunan oras na mapagbigyan ang aplikas­yon, naghahanap umano ang accredited partylist ng nominees at aalukin ang mga ito ng malaking pres­yo para maging kinatawan ng grupo sa Kamara oras na lumusot sa 2% votes.

Posibleng dito, aniya, pumapasok ang maiimpluwensyang personalidad gaya ng opisyal ng gobyerno, kaanak ng mga pulitiko at mapeperang indibidwal dahil sila ang may kakayahang tapatan ang inaalok na presyo ng party-list group.

Samakatuwid, sa ganitong sistema marami umanong partylist nominees na hindi naman galing sa sektor o organisasyon ng ikinakatawang margina­lized group.

May duda na ang Comelec na nangyayari ang ganitong sistema, subalit hindi nagbigay ng pangalan si Rafanan kung aling grupo ang hinihinala nilang nakikinabang sa ‘partylist-for-sale’.
Aniya, gumugulong na ang imbestigasyon ng Comelec Law Department para tukuyin ang mga party-list group na pumapasok sa kompromiso.

Bagama’t may kaunting nalalaman ang komisyon, hinimok ni Rafanan ang publiko na mayroong direktang nalalaman sa ganitong sistema na maghain ng pormal na reklamo sa Comelec upang malapatan agad ng karampatang atensyon at resolusyon.

Ngunit nilinaw din ng opisyal na kailangang dumaan ito sa pagtalakay ng En Banc kung saan sasalain ang mga ihaharap na impormasyon at alegasyon.

Kamakalawa, nagpiket ang grupong ‘Kontra Daya’ sa Comelec upang ipro­testa ang pagtahimik ng komisyon sa pagdami ng ‘bogus’ partylist.

Inihalimbawa ng grupo ang umano’y naulinigan nilang impormasyon na isinusulong ng dalawang partylist group bilang first nominee sina presidential son at Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel ‘Mikey’ Arroyo at Energy Sec. Angelo Reyes.

Sumama na rin sa pagkastigo ang election watchdog na Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) laban sa mga pekeng partylist group.

Samantala, itinatwa ng Malacañang ang mga party-list groups na nauugnay sa kanila sa pagsasabing hindi nila pakawala ang mga ito.

Kapwa sinabi nina depu­ty presidential spokespersons Gary Olivar at Charito Planas na walang kaugnayan ang palasyo sa mga inaakusahang “peke at pro-administration” party-list groups kung kaya paalma na sinabihan ng mga ito ang mga kritiko na huwag nang isabit ang Malacañang sa usapin at sa halip ay iakyat sa Comelec ang lahat ng kanilang hinaing.

“To my knowledge, this is not something that is being done. Kaya ang kausapin nila ang Comelec, huwag nilang kausapin ang Malacañang. E maski papaano nasiraan na ‘yung Malacañang tapos sasabihin nila niluto. E ito, no-win si­tuation palagi ang ibinibigay sa atin. Ilabas n’yo na ang Palasyo dito,” ani Olivar.

Sinabi rin ng dalawang palace officials na mas makakabuti na hintayin muna ang resulta ng imbestigasyon ng Comelec sa mga iniimbestigahang partylist groups bago agad na husgahan na pakawala nga ng Malacañang ang mga ito.

Probe sought on 6 party-list groups

By Sheila Crisostomo With Jose Rodel Clapano (The Philippine Star)

Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=558457&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) was asked yesterday to investigate six party-list groups for alleged links to President Arroyo.

In a letter to Comelec Chairman Jose Melo, Kontra Daya said Agbiag Timpuyag Ilocano Inc. (Agbiag), Babae Para sa Kaunalaran (Babae Ka), Youth League for Peace Advancement (Lypad) and Kalahi Sectoral Party (Kalahi) would “bastardize” the party-list system if allowed to run on May 10.

In a memorandum dated Oct. 16, 2006, Malacañang’s Office of External Affairs said these party-list groups must be supported, the letter added.

Kontra Daya said Adhikain ng mga Dakilang Anak Maharlika (ADAM) was formed by Energy Undersecretary Zamsamin Ampatuan, while the Binigkis na Interes ng mga Drayber sa Adhikain Inc. (Bida) was founded by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman Efraim Genuino.

“We urge the Comelec to immediately conduct an investigation and a public hearing on the issues raised,” Kontra Daya said.

“This can serve as an initial step in correcting the abuses of the party-list system.”

The Comelec must be watchful over the possible endorsement of Ang Galing Pinoy (AGP) and 1-Utak whose nominees are Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo and Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, Kontra Daya added.

JDV III: Protect counting machines