Some groups hailed the Commission on Elections (Comelec) removal of the party-list led by Celine Pialago, the former spokesperson of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
It was only January 11 when the poll body deleted “Malasakit Movement” (#96) from the final list of party-list candidates to appear on the ballot for the May 9, 2022 elections, following a resolution.
“We welcome the poll body’s decision to reject this bogus party-list from participating in the national polls,” said Ronnel Arambulo, national spokesperson of militant fisherfolk group PAMALAKAYA, Wednesday.
In Arambulo’s view, NTF-ELCAC is behind the Malasakit Movement.
The first nominee of Malasakit is former MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago, who was also the spokesperson of NTF-ELCAC.
The NTF-ELCAC is known for linking government critics, artists, and efforts such as the community pantry with communist rebels, even without a solid basis.
According to Zenaida Soriano, national chair of the Amihan group, the Malasakit Movement should really be eliminated especially since it “does not” represent the marginalized sector.
“In the coming days, we should be very vigilant and hope for the COMELEC to exclude more fake party-lists. We want a party-list who will represent the aspirations of the marginalized sectors for land, livelihood, ayuda, housing, and others,” said Soriano.
Comelec removes Celine Pialago’s party list from ballot
According to the Supreme Court decision in 2013, regional parties and minor political parties can also run and representatives of marginalized sectors.
Arambulo also urges the Comelec to remove the Mothers for Change (MOCHA) of former NTF-ELCAC ambassador Michele Gumabao and former OWWA deputy executive director Mocha Uson, who are not mothers and are all former administration officials.
PAMALAKAYA now compares the desire of ex-NTF-ELCAC officials to use the party-list system created for the poor and marginalized sector under Republic Act 7941 to a civilian-military junta because of their alleged “anti-democratic agenda.”
Pialago said they would not give up immediately and still try to run in the next election using legal measures.
“May mga legal na paraan pa po para makalaban sa darating na 2022 elections. Hahayaan ko na po ang aming legal team sa bagay na yan,” said Celine Pialago.
“Kapag mabuti ang hangarin, kapag tama ang pinaglalaban, lalaban. Lalaban po kami dahil hindi po ugali ng Team 96 ang sumuko,” she added.
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