April 10, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Youth party-list slams Comelec’s refusal to divulge partylist nominees
DAVAO CITY – Kabataan Party-list, the only youth party-list
participating in the May polls, today accosted the Comelec for
refusing to divulge the identities of nominees of party-lists who are
alleged relatives and allies of administration officials.
According to Karla Hyasmind Apat, Vice President for Mindanao of the
Kabataan,the Comelec must ensure that the administration is not
maneuvering the partylist’s sectoral representation to act according
to its grand plan of winning the seats in the legislative body.
“The partylist is supposed to provide a space or venue for the
marginzalized sectors in the House of Representatives, this, the
Comelec should remember,” Apat said.
The Comelec earlier said that identities of partylist nominees should
not be divulged so as not to “confuse voters.”
Apat however said that if the accusations of partylist led by some
administration lapdogs is true then the Comelec is giving a leeway for
the government to confuse the voters of partylist groups who should be
choosing genuine sectoral representation.
Members of the Kabataan Partylist in Manila held an MMDA-like
operation by posting ‘pink signs’ on posters and campaign materials of
alleged government-funded party-lists and candidates.
The group posted placards marked with “Government-funded
party-list/candidate. BAWAL ITO!” on campaign materials of some Team
Unity senatoriables and party-lists believed to be commissioned by the
administration to run against progressive party-lists.
“The youth are not blind, we can see clearly how government resources
are being utilized to boost the campaign of these candidatesthings
that the Comelec should be investigating along with other questionable
election campaigning acts that involve the administration,” said
Raymond Palatino, national president and first nominee of Kabataan
Pary-list.
Palatino cited earlier complaints of how traditional regional and
provincial events are being transformed into Team Unity sorties.
He also accosted the Comelec for refusing to divulge the identities of
nominees of party-lists who are alleged relatives and allies of
administration officials.
“Who are they protecting?”, said Palatino. #
For Reference:
Raymond Palatino, National President / First Nominee
09205723638
Karla Hyasmind Apat, VP for Mindanao
09195709285
