A GROUP of persons with disabilities (PWDs) trooped to the main office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Intramuros, Manila Friday following the disapproval of its party-list accreditation.
The poll body said the group has no proven track record and lacks national constituency, according to Gigi Ruiz, a member of the Disabled Pinoy Party (DPP).
DPP argued that it is the one who truly represent the marginalized sector compared to other groups recognized by the commission.
"We are one of the legitimate sectors that need representation in Congress," said Ruiz, pointing to a provision of the Party List System Act.
"PWDs have been fighting long enough for our right to be heard, that's why they cannot say that there is no constituency," she added.
Despite their disabilities, the group assured of mounting a nationwide campaign if they were only approved by the Comelec.
He further lamented when informed by the Comelec that the DPP motion for reconsideration was junked, citing that the poll body was trimming down the number of accredited party-list groups to 150.
Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal who made the pronouncement said that he was just following the orders of the second division to cut down the number of participating groups.
A total of 187 organizations are listed in the official ballot. But the Comelec said the list will still be trimmed as other groups are still facing disqualification charges.
A petition can still be filed at the Supreme Court but the party-list opted to troop to the Comelec office, saying it is the proper agency that will address their concerns.
Party-list issues
Protest on the accreditation of party-list groups loomed after various allies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were nominated for party-list representation.
Arroyo's son Mikey, incumbent congressman of the second district of Pampanga, seeks a party-list seat through Ang Galing Pinoy party – a group accordingly representing the security guards in the country.
Former Energy secretary Angelo Reyes, also a known supporter of the administration, is listed as the first party-list nominee of transport group 1-Utak.
The nominations of Mikey and Reyes are questioned before the commission. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)