IPs shocked over COMELEC decision

Indigenous peoples' party KATRIBU, was aghast over the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to allow presidential son Mikey Arroyo to represent the security guards as a representative of Ang Galing Partylist (AGP).

According to Nelson Mallari, KATRIBU secretary general, “The Comelec's decision is a defeat on the true essence of the partylist system. The partylist system is meant to facilitate participation of marginalized sectors and should not be used to serve selfish interests such as the Arroyos.”

The Comelec junked the petition of partylist groups Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party, that sought to disqualify Cong. Mikey Arroyo as the primary nominee of AGP. The 'progressive' partylists cited that the young Arroyo is detached from marginalized sectors and therefore unrepresentative of the sector he poses to represent.

“The Comelec's decision creates a bad precedent, as it seems to encourage people with vested interests to create fly-by-night partylists. Surely, dubious partylists will flourish on the 2013 elections,” Mallari forbode. “It is sad that the Comelec condones such maneuvers, it is pushing the marginalized even further over the margin,” Mallari added.

“We cannot comprehend the reasons why the Comelec would allow such a travesty on the partylist system. Its seems that they have turned a blind eye on this case. Obviously, Mikey Arroyo is merely using the AGP Partylist to lengthen his stay in Congress,” Mallari said.

The group appealed to Comelec to reverse its decision. “Reversing their decision is the right move for the Comelec. In refusing, the Comelec will only contribute to the bastardization of the partylist system.” ##