The petition just sought to deny the transport sector, especially the poor public utility drivers, of representatives in Congress.

By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – After being sidelined in the partylist voting last 2013 by a petition against their registration, Piston Partylist finally received the green go signal from Comelec.

The Comelec en banc ruled that the petition “was defective for the lack of specificity,” as it accused PISTON of putting up posters “along Taft Avenue from Vito Cruz Street to LRT Central Station.”

The ruling is dated January 30; Piston received it last February 12.

In a statement, George San Mateo, president of Piston Partylist, said the ruling shows the disqualification case was just part of a ploy to deny the transport sector genuine representation in the Lower House. San Mateo blames the news about the said petition which he said made people hesitate about voting for PISTON.

Among other usual harassment of progressive partylist groups, Piston considered the “malicious and baseless” petition as part of a ploy to prevent progressive partylist groups from increasing their numbers in Congress. Kilusang Mayo Uno, a labor center supporting Piston Partylist, said in a statement, the petition lacked particulars because “it was just meant to deny the transport sector, especially the poor public utility drivers, of representatives in Congress.”

Piston Partylist appreciated how “the Comelec did what it is supposed to do and affirmed Piston’s registration to participate in the elections.”

The group is happy as well that the ruling was released at this time. “There won’t be anything to hold us back when we start preparing for the next elections in the coming months,” San Mateo said.