Ex-rebels to Comelec: Reconsider anti-discrimination resolution

A group of alleged former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDF) on Friday urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to reconsider its resolution declaring labeling groups and individuals as terrorists, dissenters, and criminals without evidence as an election offense for Eleksyon 2025.

In a five-page letter dated February 27, the Advocates for Clean Elections (ACE) questioned Comelec Resoution No. 1116, which sets the anti-discrimination and fair campaigning guidelines for the upcoming midterm polls, saying it may affect freedom of expression by “restricting discussions about individuals and organizations with ties to groups that have historically waged war against the government.”

“The resolution disproportionately protects individuals and groups who claim to be ‘victims’ of labeling, without considering that many of us - former rebels, Lumad victims, and others who suffered under the communist insurgency —are also being unfairly labeled as paid hacks, state agents, and red-taggers when we speak out,” the letter read. 

“Why is it acceptable for them to accuse us, but not for us to present facts about their connections? Instead of promoting fair and open discourse, the subject resolution silences one side of the conversation while giving the other a free pass,” they added. 

There was no mention of “red-tagging” under Comelec Resolution No. 1116 but the poll body defined labeling as "the act of categorizing, classifying, labeling, branding, associating, naming, and accusing individuals, groups and/or organizations as 'vocal dissenters' and activists or subversive group sympathizers or terrorists, or belonging to a criminal group/syndicate without evidence.”

The resolution states that anyone who commits bullying on the basis of HIV status, coercion, discrimination against persons with disabilities (PWD) on the use of public accomodations, gender-based harassment, labeling, public ridicule against PWDs, violation of the anti-discrimination ordinance, and/or violation of rights to religious, cultural sites, and ceremonies during the election period "shall be liable for an election offense."

According to ACE, the “broadly worded” resolution may be “wielded as a political weapon” and may be “used against individuals whose accounts are being disregarded by the same entities and individuals who caused them harm”. 

The group also underscored there are existing laws against false accusations, defamation, and libel, adding the poll body should focus on the enforcement of the measures instead of creating “unnecessary and biased new rules”. 

“We opine that the subject resolution does not really protect the ones who say they are powerless. We fear that the resolution will disenfranchise the real victims,” the ACE said. 

“Many of us are speaking up for the first time, only to be told that our voices must be silenced. The Lumad communities who were exploited by the insurgency, the former rebels who left the armed struggle, and the organizations that were infiltrated by the CPP-NPA-NDFP have all been,” it added.

The organization was joined by lawyer Israelito Torreon, who serves as their legal counsel.

The Comelec received the letter on Friday, February 28.

Apart from amending or repealing of the resolution, the group also appealed for the strengthening of fact-checking mechanisms of Comelec, implementation of a fair and transparent grievance mechanism, as well as upholding of protection of other vulnerable sectors, including safeguards for former rebels and insurgency victims.

The election period is from January 12 to June 11, 2025. Election Day is on May 12.— AOL/BAP, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.