JUSTICES of the Supreme Court junked on Tuesday the intervention of militant lawmakers questioning the tribunal's decision allowing non-marginalized groups to join the in the party-list elections.
SC spokesperson Theodore Te said the Court denied the motion for intervention and motion for reconsideration filed by Representatives Neri Colmenares (Bayan Muna), Rafael Mariano (Anakpawis) and Luzviminda Ilagan (Gabriela) for having been "filed out of time."
The motions were received by the SC on April 29, or more than three weeks after the Court reversed a 12-year-old decision, which reserves the party-list elections to marginalized and underrepresented groups only.
Political parties may field candidates provided they register under the party-list system and do not enter bets in legislative district elections.
However, lawmakers said a national and regional party must be organized along sectoral lines and represent the interest of the marginalized and underrepresented sectors consistent with the objective of the party-list system.
"Otherwise, there would be no need to enact a party-list system if all political parties can join, without distinction as to representation. At the same time, it would allow the rich and powerful, their alter egos, permutations, families and business interests to compete with the weak and poor groups," they said.
Colmenares has yet to comment as of this posting Wednesday. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)