Comelec division disqualifies PBBM party-list for alleged misrepresentation

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division on Wednesday cancelled the registration of Pilipinas Babangon Muli (PBBM) party-list for Eleksyon 2025 over alleged misrepresentation. 

In its 10-page ruling, the poll body division granted the petition filed by lawyer Jess Christian Ramirez, who is seeking to cancel the registration of the PBBM party-list for allegedly misrepresenting itself as a regional political party representing Calabarzon while exclusively fielding nominees outside the region. 

Ramirez, in his petition, argued the PBBM party-list violated Republic Act No. 7941 or the Party-list System Act, as well as Comelec Resolution No. 9366, when it fielded ten nominees who were residents of Abra, Cagayan, and Quezon City. 

“Wherefore, premises considered, the petition is granted. The registration of respondent Pilipinas Babangon Muli (PBBM) party-list is hereby cancelled,” the decision reads.

According to the elections body, the PBBM party-list was initially declared eligible to run for Eleksyon 2025 after it complied with the requirements for registration. The poll body recognized its constituency in Calabarzon as it claimed presence in 140 out of 142 cities and municipalities in the region and “declared intent to represent the interests of the rights of the citizens in Calabarzon”. 

However, the party-list organization said in its oral submissions for the petition that residency in Region IV-A was not a requirement for membership in its party-list under its Constitution and by-laws. 

The Comelec Second Division said this “categorical admission directly negates the very foundation upon which its registration as a regional political party was approved”. It also constitutes an untruthful statement in its petition for registration.

“This is not a mere formality but a substantive requirement that distinguishes a regional party from a national one under Section 3(c) of RA No. 7941,” it said. 

“The failure to establish and maintain such a constituency fundamentally undermines the character and eligibility of a party to be classified, and to continue participating as a regional political party,” it added. 

The top ten nominees of the PBBM party-list are: Ma. Cecilia Badajos (Abra), Thomas Dominic Baluga (Cagayan), Karen Acosta (Abra), Elena Badajos (Abra), Iana Alexis Garcia (Quezon City), Francis Carl Acosta (Abra), Jerald Dao (Abra), Alejandro Badajos (Abra), Henrietta Francesca Acosta (Abra), and Marc Dan Acosta (Abra). 

“Accordingly, all 10 nominees cannot be considered bona fide members of a regional political party purporting to represent Calabarzon. In turn, they cannot be qualified as nominees of PBBM,” the ruling said. 

“This results in the absence of even a single qualified nominee as required by law. Accordingly, respondent is disqualified from participating in the party-list elections for failure to field at least one qualified nominee,” it added. 

GMA Integrated News reached out to PBBM party-list for comment but has yet to respond as of press time. —LDF, GMA Integrated News

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