Palace asked to refrain from 'meddling' in party-list cleansing

POLL watchdog Kontra Daya called Thursday on Malacanang to stop indirectly influencing the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from its ongoing "cleansing" of the party-list system of questionable groups.
 
In a statement, Kontra Daya Convenor Fr. Joe Dizon said it is only right for the Comelec to be left alone in its efforts to steer correctly the party-list system in time for the May 2013 polls.
 
"Malacanang should keep out of the Comelec's decision, in particular relation to Malacanang-linked party-list groups," said Dizon.
 
To recall, Kontra Daya has been hot on the heels of Malacanang-allied groups, Akbayan and Black and White Movement, which are both looking to run in the party-list race next year.
 
Akbayan is being accused of being a "party in power" as proven by its numerous members being presidential appointees, such as Presidential Political Affairs Adviser Ronald Llamas, Commission on Human Rights Chairman Loretta Ann Rosales, and National Anti-Poverty Commission Spokesperson Risa Hontiveros.
 
Black and White, meanwhile, is also accused of being allied with President Benigno Aquino III due to its members already occupying positions in the administration such as presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, and Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Deles.
 
Dizon noted that Malacanang, through its public pronouncements, has been influencing the Comelec on its decision concerning Palace-linked party-list groups.
 
The Comelec is currently conducting a review of the existing party-list groups as well as the new applicants, all looking to become party-list candidates in the 2013 elections.
 
So far, the poll body has already disqualified 29 party-list groups with existing registrations despite being able to run in 2010, including those with incumbent party-list representatives such as Ako Bicol, Ang Galing Pinoy, and Kakusa.
 
Dizon, then, called on the commission to just continue its strict implementation of the Constitution, Party-List Law and the jurisprudence on who can participate in the party-list system.
 
"We will not let our guard down. We vow to closely monitor the developments at the Comelec and its anticipated decision on the still unresolved complaints against several party-list groups," Dizon said. (HDT/Sunnex)