News Release
March 24, 2010
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) today assailed the inclusion of the son of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the list of nominees formally submitted by a partylist group to the Comelec. The militant group also expressed alarm that known Arroyo allies who held previous positions in government are included in the nominees of other partylist groups.
Some 45 partylist groups have submitted their nominees as of March 22. The deadline for submission is March 26.
Bayan said that the acceptance by the Comelec of the questionable partylist nominees will be a serious test of the credibility of the poll body.
“The inclusion of Mikey Arroyo as the first nominee of partylist group Ang Galing Pinoy marks a new low for the partylist system. We maintain that Mikey Arroyo is not eligible to become a partylist nominee. He does not come from the ranks of the marginalized. He is the incumbent congressman of his district, a member of the dominant political party Lakas-Kampi, and the son of the incumbent president. By no stretch of the imagination can he be considered marginalized or fit to represent the marginalized for which the partylist system was meant to serve,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.
“It appears Mikey has stripped himself of any delicadeza and has gone full steam ahead with his plans of taking advantage of the partylist system to entrench himself in power along with other Arroyo loyalists,” Reyes added.
Bayan called on the Comelec to “do the right thing and disqualify Mikey Arroyo and the AGP partylist”.
“The Comelec cannot plead ignorance when it comes to Mikey. They know very well who he is. They have no other legal and logical recourse but to motu propio disqualify Mikey,” Reyes added.
Ang Galing Pinoy’s second nominee is Lubao Mayor Dennis Pineda, also a known Arroyo ally. It’s third nominee is Bacolor Mayor Romeo “Buddy” Dungca, also of Pampanga.
“Is it just coincidence that the top three nominees of AGP all hail from Pampanga and are known allies of Mrs. Arroyo? How strange is it that this partylist group claiming to represent the marginalized security guards have nominees coming from just one province? We raise serious questions as to the eligibility of AGP as a partylist group,” Reyes said.
Another Arroyo ally, former congressman Salacnib Baterina is the first nominee of partylist group Alliance of People’s Organizations (APO). Baterina, a former representative of the first district of Ilocos Sur, is a known ally of the administration.
“The Palace game plan is to pack the House of Representatives with as many Arroyo allies as possible using the partylist system. This ploy is in aid of keeping Mrs. Arroyo in power,” Reyes said.
Bayan said it was also looking into the nominees of a sports development advocacy group. The partylist group Pilipino Association for Country / Urban Poor Youth Advancement and Welfare (PACYAW) has as its first nominee Department of Tourism Asst. Secretary Janet Rita B. Lazatin. She is a member of the Lakas-CMD party and hails from the first district of Pampanga. Its second nominee is former Los Angeles Consul and businessman Reynaldo Pineda, who is also based in Pampanga. PACYAW is advocating sports development.
Former officers, local officials as partylist nominees Bayan observed that several military officials have joined the partylist race. The group however clarified that it has yet to study the issue of their eligibility.
The Abante Tribung Makabansa (ATM) has former Army Col. Allen A. Capuyan as its first nominee. Capuyan was among those implicated by former T/Sgt. Vidal Doble in the “Hello Garci” controversy. According to Doble, Capuyan was among those who implemented “Project Lighthouse” or the wiretapping of personalities during his stint as head of the Intelligence Service of the AFP’s ‘special operations group’.
The partylist group ANAKalusugan has Col. Roland E. Kempis, a doctor and Commanding Officer of the AFP Medical Center as its first nominee. Kempis held the position under Gilbert Teodoro and Norberto Gonzales, according to the Department of National Defense website.
The partylist group Confederation of Non-Stock Savings and Loan Associations, Inc. or CONSLA has as its nominees former Air Force Col. Ricardo Nolasco, Jr. and Navy Rear Admiral George T. Uy.
BAGO partylist has as its third nominee B/Gen. Manuel E. Mariano, Jr. who was the Asst. Division Commander of the 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army in 2008.
Meanwhile, the partylist Sulong Barangay Movement has as its first nominee former vice-presidential candidate and Tarlac Vice Governor Herminio Aquino. Bayan is also checking another partylist group that appears to have a former Mayor from Palawan as its first nominee. ### (Bulatlat.com)
