Migrante to Melo: Don’t pre-empt decision

Migrante to Melo: Don’t pre-empt decision

Migrante Party-list today said that they have every right to complain the denial of representation of millions of Overseas Filipino Workers and their families, in light of Comelec (Commission on Election) Chairman Jose Melo’s reactions to their protest rally and filing of ‘verified opposition’.

When asked by the media for his comment on Migrante’s move, Melo responded “pwede-pwede, pero ano na yun, medyo malabo na talaga. Dahil you cannot argue against the figures.” He was also quoted saying that Migrante is a “sore loser” and that it should not complain to the media about its recent de-listing.

“Is Melo pre-empting the electoral body’s final decision by already saying such silly and out-of-the-issue statements? The Comelec has already denied us due process by de-listing us without the benefit of any hearing or prior notice. By acting as if the matter is already closed when in fact our legal battle is only beginning, the Comelec is only confirming our worst fears that the decision against Migrante is biased and politically motivated,” said Connie Bragas Regalado, chairperson of Migrante Party-list.

The party-list group yesterday filed a verified opposition to Comelec En Banc Resolution 8679 last October 13, 2009 disqualifying Migrante and 25 other party-list organizations from participating in the 2010 elections, saying that the resolution was “clearly illegal.”

In its opposition, Migrante said that the Comelec’s reason for de-listing Migrante was not among the grounds enumerated under Republic Act No. 7941 or the Party-List System Act. RA 7941 says that a party-list can have its registration removed or cancelled if “it fails to participate in the last two (2) preceding elections or fails to obtain at least two per cent (2%) of the votes cast under the party-list system in the two (2) preceding elections.”

“There is nothing in RA 7941 which states that ‘failure to get two per cent (2%) of the votes cast in one (1) election and failure to participate in one (1) election’ is a ground for the removal or cancellation of the registration of a party-list,” Migrante said in its opposition.

In the 2004 elections, Migrante failed to gain 2% of party-list votes. It manifested its intent not to participate in the 2007 elections, choosing to first strengthen the organization that now has chapters in 23 countries.

Migrante pointed out further that the Comelec decision was inconsistent because party-list organizations such as Bisa, Pinoy Overseas, and Banat were allowed to run in 2004 even as they failed to gain 2% of party-list votes in 1998 and failed to run in the 2001 elections.

“Several OFW groups abroad under Migrante International have already scored Comelec’s obviously questionable decision, and rightly so. De-listing us is tantamount to silencing the voices of millions of overseas Filipino workers being exploited and abused. The Arroyo government is always showcasing the achievements of the country’s ‘new heroes.’ Yet it is using underhanded tactics to deny marginalized sectors, such as OFWs, fair and proportional representation,” Regalado added.

(PRESS RELEASE)