Comelec's Garcia favors strict accreditation of party-lists amid alleged abuse

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner George Garcia on Wednesday said there should be a strict accreditation process for party-list groups to prevent the system from being abused.

“Siyempre ako rin, personally, kahit na nagpa-practice ako, ‘yan nga po yung isang adbokasiya ko na sana nga maging mahigpit na rin tayo sa pag-accredit ng party-list,” Garcia, a former election lawyer, told Dobol B TV.

(Of course, even when I was still practicing, that was one of my advocacies, to be more strict in accrediting party-lists.)

Garcia was commenting on allegations that some politicians are buying party-lists to have a chance to obtain seats in the House of Representatives.

Garcia noted that the Comelec is just implementing the provisions of Republic Act 7941 or the Party-List System Act and the Constitution when it comes to the matter.

He said if ever the provisions in the Constitution or law regarding party-lists will be amended, the specific sectors that need representation should be identified.

Citing the position of Supreme Court, Garcia also pointed out that even billionaires are allowed to represent the urban poor under the party-list system.

Garcia advised voters to choose a party-list that truly represents their sectors, protects their interests, and sticks with an advocacy.

Asked about the alleged involvement of Comelec in the selling of party-lists to politicians, Garcia said there is no evidence to support such claim.

“Wala pa po akong ebidensya kasi tungkol sa bagay na ‘yan. Naniniwala pa rin ako sa integridad ng Comelec [I do not have the evidence on that yet. I still believe in the integrity of the Comelec],” he said.

For Garcia, one of the loopholes in the law is that the Comelec is powerless against a party-list's internal decision to suddenly change boards and members.

Meanwhile, in the same interview, Garcia said many voters have been deactivated after failing to participate in two consecutive elections. He said he would announce their exact number on Thursday.

Affected voters, he said, can only reactivate their voter status once the Comelec reopens the registration.

Garcia also reminded those who moved to different areas of residence that double or multiple registrations are considered criminal offense with a penalty of one to six years of imprisonment.

According to him, the second or succeeding registrations would not be acknowledged.

He said those who moved to different areas of residence only need to apply for transfer of registration. —KBK, GMA News