Brillantes wants all party-list aspirants disqualified

MANILA, Philippines – If he had his way, Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes said he wants all party-list groups seeking accreditation for the 2013 midterm elections to be disqualified.

"Kung ako tatanungin dito, walang maiiwan dito eh,” he said.

The Comelec is now in the process of reviewing the applications and accreditations of new and currently accredited party-list groups.

Brillantes said the party-list system has been abused due to vagueness in the definition of what constitutes a marginalized group.

He said this is the reason why he avoided party-list groups when he was still an election lawyer.

The poll body has asked at least 30 party-list groups whose accreditations were questioned by watchdog Kontra Daya to respond to allegations.

Brillantes said Kontra Daya is not the only group providing information about the allegedly spurious groups.

"We're receiving so many reports, not necessarily formal objections,” he said.

The poll chief said the Comelec is empowered on its own to cancel accreditations. The Comelec is screening even the nominees.

"Napakalaking problema niyang party-list. Everybody is taking advantage of it,” he said.
 
Kontra Daya has questioned the qualifications of at least 30 party-list groups who claim to represent marginalized sectors. Among the groups they want excluded from the party-list elections are groups who nominated President Aquino's aunt, Tingting Cojuangco, as representative.