Partylist Frontrunners Ask Comelec: Uphold Due Process in Disqualification Case
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MANILA — Partylist frontrunners Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela today called
on the Commission on Elections to uphold due process in the disqualification case filed by military proxies against the three parties.
Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela lead the latest Pulse Asia and
Social Weather Stations pre-election surveys. Bayan Muna topped the
2001 and 2004 partylist elections.
In a press conference at Max’s Intramuros, Bayan Muna President Satur
Ocampo asked the Comelec to reconsider the March 27, 2007 decision of
its second division stating erroneously that the cases have been
deemed submitted for resolution.
“Procedural and substantial due process demands both due notice and
hearing,” said Ocampo. “Without due notice and hearing, we are denied
our right to examine and contest the allegations of obvious perjurers
who are behind the harassment case against us.”
Lawyers for the three parties led by Romeo T. Capulong filed a joint
motion for reconsideration on April 18.
In the motion, the three parties contended that the March 27
resolution contravened the explicit ruling of Commissioner Florentino
Tuason Jr. he made in a March 27 hearing that the right to a hearing
or trial will be resolved in case and only after the motion to dismiss
of the respondents is denied.
Due notice and hearing is required by the Partylist Law and Section 8
and Rules 17 and 32 of the Comelec Rules of Procedure on the issue of
cancellation of registration of any political party, coalition or
partylist organization.
They also said that the March 27 resolution violated the
constitutional right to due process of respondents.
The three parties also told the Comelec that “the filing and
railroading of these cases is part of the grand scheme of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and other
national security officials of the Arroyo government to “neutralize
and demolish” the respondents.”
“The questioned order will, wittingly or unwittingly, boost or support
such campaign,” the three parties added.
In a related development, Bayan Muna Secretary-General Nathanael
Santiago laughed at the “evidence” presented by AFP chief Hermogenes
Esperon consisting of Bayan Muna posters allegedly seized from
communist rebels.
“What’s new? This is another cheap and desperate gimmick that will not
derail our surging reelection campaign,” said Santiago. “The so-called
evidence amount to nothing.” davaotoday.com
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