7 more axed party-lists make last-ditch effort to run in 2013 polls

Seven more party-list groups disqualified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) have made a last-ditch effort to be included in the ballots for the upcoming May 2013 elections. In separate petitions, the groups asked the high court to issue a status quo ante order that would prevent the poll body from implementing its ruling disqualifying them, pending the court's resolution on the case merits of their eligibility. The seven party-list groups were:

• Confederation of Savings
• and Loan Associations (Consla)
• 1st Kabalikat ng Bayan Ginhawang
• Sangkatauhan (Kabagis)
• Pilipinas Para sa Pinoy (PPP), 1 Serve the People
• Educational Development Services for Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (EDSA)
• Angat Ahon Magsasaka (AAM) and Isang Kasambahay Po Inc. (1- Kasambahay Po).

Consla and Kabagis are registered party-list groups recently disqualified by the Comelec, while the remaining five are still applying for accreditation with the poll body. Their petition came at the heels of several SC en banc-issued status quo ante orders favoring 52 disqualified party-list groups who petitioned the high court to include them in the voters' list. Those 52 are:

• Ako Bicol (AKB), Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC)
• 1st Consumer’s Alliance for Rural Energy Inc. (1CARE)
• Alliance for Rural Concerns (ARC)
• Aksyon Magsasaka-Partido Tinig ng Masa (Akma-PTM)
• Kapatiran ng mga Nakulong na Walang Sala Inc. (Kakusa)
• Alliance for Rural and Agrarian Reconstruction Inc. (Araro)
• Association for Righteousness Advocacy on Leadership (ARAL).
• Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (Anad)
• Philippine Guardian Brotherhood Inc. (1Bro-PGBI)
• Agapay ng Indigenous Peoples Rights Alliance Inc. (A-IPRA).
• Bantay of controversial retired Gen. Jovito Palparan
• Agri-Agra na Reporma Para sa Magsasaka ng Pilipinas Movement (Agri)
• Action Brotherhood for Active Dreamers Inc. (Abroad)
• Coconut Producers Federation (Cocofed).
• Friends of Imelda Romualdez Marcos (FIRM 24k)
• Atong Paglaum, Kaagapay ng Nagkakaisang Aguilang Pilipinong Magsasaka (KAP)
• Alab ng Mamamahayag (ALAB)
• Aangat Tayo
• Abang Lingkod
• Alliance of Bicolnon (ABP-Bicolnon)
• A Blessed Federation of Farmers and Fishermen International Inc. (A Blessed)
• Ang Agrikultura Natin Isulong (AANI)
• United Movement Against Drugs Foundation Inc. (Unimad).
• Bayani, Action League of Indigenous Masses (ALIM)
• Butil Farmers (Butil)
• Alliance of Advocates in Mining Advancement for National Progress (AAMA)
• Social Movement for Active Reform and Transparency (SMART)
• Adhikain at Kilusan ng Ordinaryong Tao Para sa Lupa, Hanapbuhay at Kaunlaran (Ako Bahay)
• 1 Guardians Nationalist of the Philippines Inc. (1Ganap Guardians)
• Green Force.
• Binhi – Partido Ng Mga Magsasaka Para Sa Mga Magsasaka (BINHI)
• Ang Galing Pinoy (AG) of Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo
• Akbay Kalusugan, Inc. (AKIN),
• Ako An Bisaya (AAB)
• Alagad ng Sining (ASIN)
• Association of Guard Utility Helper
• Aider, Rider, Driver, Domester Helper, Janitor, Agent and Nanny of the Philippines, Inc. (GUARDJAN)
• Alliance of Organizations, Networks and Associations of the Philippines, Inc. (ALONA)
• 1st Kabalikat ng Bayan Ginhawang Sangkatauhan (1st Kabagis)
• Pilipinas Para sa Pinoy (PPP) and Coalition of Association of Senior Citizens in the Philippines Inc.
• Philippine Association for Country - Urban Poor Youth
• Advancement Welfare (PACYAW)
• 1 - United Transport Coalition (1-UTAK)
• Kalikasan, Association of Local Athletics Entrepreneurs and Hobbyists Inc. (ALA-EH)
• Coalition of Association of Senior Citizens in the Philippines Inc. (Sr. Citizen)
• 1-Alliance Advocating Autonomy (1AAAP)
• Abyan Ilonggo Party (AI)
• Manila Teachers Savings and Loans Association Inc. (Manila Teachers)
• Partido ng Bayan ang Bida (PBB).

The Supreme Court is currently on a holiday break and will not resume en banc sessions until January 8, 2013. The Comelec will start printing the ballots on January 20, but as early as January 4 it will start the raffle of participating party-list groups for their order on the ballots. Though the en banc could no longer issue SQAs until their reconvene on January 8 next year, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has the option of calling for a special session during the holidays. The chief justice can also unilaterally issue an SQA subject to the approval of the en banc when it resumes it session next year.  — Mark D. Merueñas/KBK, GMA News