6 ‘fake’ party-list groups dared to bare nominees

A party-list organization advocating women’s rights on Wednesday challenged the six “fake" party-list groups to bare their nominees to prove that they really represent marginalized sectors. “If they genuinely represent the marginalized sectors like they claim to, we challenge those reported ‘fake’ party-list groups to present their platform and nominees like we did," said Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan in a statement naming the group’s nominees for the May 10 elections. Ilagan was referring to Batang Iwas Droga (BIDA), Adhikain ng mga Dakilang Anak ng Maharlika (ADAM), Agbiag Timpuyog Ilocano (AGBIAG), Babae para sa Kaunalara (BABAE KA), League of Youth for Peace and Development (LYPAD), and Kalahi Advocates for Overseas Filipinos (KALAHI). Admin-backed Militant poll watchdog Kontra Daya has accused the six groups of having the support of the Arroyo administration. Ilagan said they have “strong reasons" to believe that the six are being used by some groups to field candidates that would ensure President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s “reign in power" once they are seated in the House of Representatives. President Arroyo is seeking a congressional post in the second district of Pampanga in the May polls. The Supreme Court, in a 2001 decision on the Ang Bagong Bayani-OFW Labor Party vs. the Commission on Elections (Comelec), said a party-list group “must not be an adjunct of, or a project organized or an entity funded or assisted by, the government." It said that a party-list organization must be organized by a marginalized or underrepresented group of citizens independent of the government. Nothing to hide Ilagan said that unlike the six groups, they went public with their filing because they “have nothing to hide." “Why don't they bring out in the open their group and nominees' background and record of involvement so that the public can examine them?" Ilagan asked. Aside from Ilagan, Gabriela’s other nominees include activist Emmi de Jesus, and the group’s chairperson in the National Capital Region Shiela Ferrer. De Jesus said they “will not rest until we have exposed and ultimately disqualify those hired and bogus groups that are trying to steal peoples’ votes by posing as representatives of marginalized sectors even though they are not." Party-list groups can submit up to five nominees to the Comelec. Deadline for the filing is on March 26. Comelec’s fault Malacañang on Tuesday denied its alleged connection with the six party-list groups. Deputy presidential spokeswoman Charito Planas said the Comelec, not Malacañang, should be faulted for such claims against the six party-list groups since it was the one that accredited them. Comelec, for its part, said the answer to the problem lies with the electorate. “If they don’t want the party-list to win, don’t vote for them," said Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal. - KBK, GMANews.TV