Migrante partylist ’smells a rat’ in exclusion by Comelec

MANILA — Migrante Partylist, a sectoral party of OFWs, directly accused the Comelec in preventing them from joining the partylist race in 2010.

“At least five partylist groups which have the same situation as Migrante were allowed by Comelec to run in previous elections. So why is Comelec now reversing itself? We believe that the delisting of Migrante is politically motivated,” Connie Bragas-Regalado, chairperson of Migrante Partylist claimed.

In a press conference held in a restaurant in Quezon City, Migrante Partylist together with election lawyers and representatives of other progressive partylist questioned the credibility of the Comelec and its recent en banc Resolution 8679.

“Agrifil, Sagip-Kapwa, BISA, Pinoy Overseas Party and Banat Partylist were permitted to run in the 2004 elections even if the said groups failed to obtain at least 2 percentum of the total votes in 1998 and failed to participate in the 2001 elections. While Migrante, which is in the same predicament, was delisted by Comelec. This clearly shows that the Comelec’s en banc resolution 8679 banning Migrante to run in the coming election is inconsistent with its previous decision,” asserted Regalado.

The group believes that Malacanang allegedly has a hand in the Comelec’s decision since Migrante has been a perennial headache to the Arroyo administration by constantly citing the government’s criminal neglect in cases of trafficking, human rights violations, abuse and exploitation of OFWs in various parts of the world.”

“We smell a rat here and we challenge the Comelec to explain to us and to the many OFWs who have been clamoring for MSP to run why, at this time that we are stronger now to run for a seat, COMELEC is denying us this legitimate right!” Regalado added.

Regalado likewise predicted that the delisting of Migrante is just a prelude to suppressing progressive partylist groups in favor of partylist allegedly being backed by the Arroyo administration.

“Last election, the Arroyo administration fielded at least 9 pseudo-partylist groups headed by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo’s sister Maria Lourdes Arroyo of Kasangga Partylist and President Arroyo’s favorite general, Jovito Palparan of Bantay Partylist. Migrante is among those who exposed this in 2007 and we will expose them again this coming election,” warned Regalado.

Regalado blamed Comelec for approving the registration of groups who allegedly cannot represent marginalized sectors as stated in the Partylist System Act.
“What a mockery Comelec has made of the law. Instead of giving credence and encouraging real partylist groups, the Comelec has already allowed the proliferation of farcical groups, the domination and manipulation of the ruling elite, and the accommodation of fascist generals and politicians from dynasties as nominees or representatives.” Regalado concluded. (PinoyPress)