Back off party-list system, Aquino allies told

MANILA -- Election watchdog Kontra Daya on Friday called on allies of President Benigno Aquino III to avoid making a “mockery” of the party-list system supposedly reserved for marginalized sectors.

“For the sake of the integrity and credibility of the party-list system, President Aquino should tell his allies who are not marginalized and are in fact well-entrenched in government, to back off from the party-list system,” Kontra Daya convenor Fr. Joe Dizon said.

“If these groups and personalities back out, that would make Comelec’s job of cleaning the party-list system easier,” Dizon added.

The group noted that several allies of Aquino are nominated to by party-list groups as representatives for the 2013 midterm elections. Among them is former Cavite Representative Plaridel Abaya nominated by Abante Retirees party-list. He is the father of incoming Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.

Alliance of Mindanao Elders party-list is nominating Jorge Banal, former councilor and father of Quezon City Representative Bolet Banal.

A group closely identified with the Aquino government, the Black and White Movement, is also seeking accreditation before the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Its first nominee is Movie and Television Review and Classification Board member Leah Navarro, a presidential appointee.

Kontra Daya said the group is “already overrepresented” in the government because some of its members include Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman and peace adviser Teresita “Ging” Deles.

Kontra Daya has filed disqualification cases against several party-list groups.

Comelec earlier extended its self-imposed deadline of September 30 to October 10 to release the list of party-list organizations allowed to participate in the 2013 elections. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)