Makabayan coalation picket outside Comelec 6 (UPDATE)

A group of Makabayan party-list coalition grounded the street affronting Comelec regional offices in Iloilo City.

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Iloilo City – Members of the Makabayan Party Coalition picket the Comelec regional office after the verdict of the supreme court case filed against its members was scheduled to be released yesterday.

PISTON (Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide),and Kabataan, a youth-led party-list, are both in danger of disqualification over postering offenses.

The nationwide picket was organized by Makabayan groups across the nation as a protest over the unfair treatment of progressive groups.

According to the Makabayan website, PISTON tallied a single postering offense while Kabataan had 7. Satur Ocampo, Makabayan president, observes that pro-administration party-lists like Akbayan with 9 postering violations are left alone.

“The Comelec and Chairman Brillantes should not allow themselves to be used by the administration to harass and suppress the true voices of the marginalized in our society.”, Ocampo added.

Charmane Chin, regional spokesperson of Kabataan party-list, together with other members of the Makabayan party-list coalition, stood outside the Comelec 6 office along Washington St. waving banners that spelled “Comelec, Tuta ni PNOY” and “No To Yellow Comelec.”

“We took off the posters and we wrote a letter and submitted evidence however the Comelec pursued their disqualification case. The sad thing is we are not even part of the top violator list.” Chin said.

According to Chin, “Risa Hontiveros has 9 postering violation but the Comelec takes her case lightly because she is backed by the Malacañang.”

“They want progressive party-lists to have less seats. This is a clear use of the power of Aquino over the Comelec. In the disqualifications of PISTON and Kabataan comes less opposition for his administration. We are attacked because we make the most noise over national issues”, Chin concluded.

Atty. Renato Magbutay, election officer for the region, said all proceedings for the case "are high up" in the en banc court and regional directors aren't in on the problem.