Just as Comelec okays Reyes as 1-UTAK nominee, group junks him

Call it "wrong timing." Just when the Commission on Elections decided that former energy chief Angelo Reyes could represent drivers, operators and commuters in Congress as nominee of the 1-United Transport Koalisyon (1-UTAK) party-list, the group itself decided to replace him with another nominee. The Comelec's second division junked the consolidated petition filed by former Reps. Satur Ocampo of Bayan Muna and Liza Maza of Gabriela and Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) seeking the disqualification of Reyes. The two petitioners had argued that Reyes does not belong to the sectors that 1-UTAK seeks to represent. But in junking the petition, the poll body ruled that Reyes need not be a member of the marginalized sector itself. A nominee only needs to be a bona fide member of the party-list group at least 90 days before the elections. The Comelec en banc used the same argument to allow Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo, son of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, to sit in the Lower House as the nominee of Ang Galing Pinoy, which supposedly seeks to represent security guards and tricycle drivers. Meanwhile, however, 1-UTAK has suddenly decided to replace Reyes with its third nominee, Homero Mercado. Its second nominee, Vigor Mendoza II, has opted to resign and focus on "professional commitments." A motion for reconsideration has elevated the disqualification case filed against Reyes to the poll body en banc. Meanwhile, 1-UTAK will not have a representative in Congress until the case has been resolved with finality. As a result, 1-UTAK was prompted to file a manifestation, saying that it has decided to withdraw its nomination for the former energy chief. "The delay in the final resolution of the disqualification of (Reyes) has created anxiety among its members and supporters who are all eager to see 1-UTAK assume its seat in Congress when Congress convenes on July 26," the party-list group said. The group said that Reyes has been "advised" of this decision and has "agreed" to filing a withdrawal of his own. But Comelec spokesman James Jimenez told GMANews.TV that 1-UTAK did not submit a document signed by Reyes stating his withdrawal. He said the group must submit this before the poll body can accept their manifestation. Reyes could not be immediately reached for comment. But a separate report said that he will not be withdrawing his nomination. On the other hand, second division presiding Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer said that the Comelec en banc will still come out with a decision on the disqualification case filed against the energy chief. The case, however, would not have any bearing. "Wala na yun, moot and academic na (That's moot and academic already)," Ferrer told GMANews.TV in a phone interview on Friday. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV