News Release

April 10, 2013

The poll watchdog group Kontra Daya said that it would continue its opposition to questionable partylists of the rich and powerful even as it called on voters to reject these groups. Kontra Daya today released a list of questionable partylist groups who were accredited by Comelec along with those who obtained a Status Quo Ante Order from the Supreme Court. The group hopes that voters will be able informed of the personalities and interest groups behind these partylist formations.

The watchdog group also said that it would participate in the summary evidentiary hearings of the Comelec after the Supreme Court remanded the case of some 53 disqualified partylist groups back to the poll body. Comelec has announced that it would be conducting daily hearings to decide whether these groups are eligible for the partylist race in 2013.

According to the list provided by Kontra Daya, some 48 groups accredited by Comelec have very questionable qualifications while some 41 previously disqualified groups are now waiting to be legitimized after the Supreme Court ruling favoring the entry of non-marginalized groups into the partylist system.

“We will exhaust all legal means in fighting for the proper representation of the marginalized and underrepresented. In the end however, we call on the voting public to be discerning in choosing the partylist groups that they would vote for. If we want the partylist system to be a platform for the people, and not just a backdoor to Congress for the rich and powerful, then the public should vote wisely,” said Atty. Joven Evangelista, Kontra Daya’s legal counsel.

Kontra Daya’s list of groups with serious issues include Ako Bikol (a regional party with big business as nominees), Akbayan (nominees are Aquino appointees), Abante Retirees (nominee is former congressman and father of DOTC Sec. Jun Abaya), ANAD (anti-communist group), ACT-CIS (group formed through PNP, associated with Gen. Samuel Pagdilao), Ang Mata’y Alagaan (family of SC Associate Justice Presbiterio Velasco), the Agrarian Development Association (of the Singson family of Ilocos), Bagong Henerasyon (of former QC Councilor Bernadette Herrera-Dy) and BUHAY (El Shaddai’s Mike Velarde and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza).

“Our institutions have failed us time and again. The Comelec, the Supreme Court, and even the Aquino regime have all done their part in undermining the partylist system. We now put our faith in the people, hoping that they would make the right choice on May 13,” said Kontra Daya convenor Fr. Joe Dizon. ###

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