PHVOTE 2013

MANILA, Philippines - After the disqualification of the Black and White Movement from next year's party-list elections, election watchdog Kontra Daya is challenging the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to delist Akbayan next.

In a statement released on Thursday, November 8, Kontra Daya spokesperson Joe Dizon said that disqualifying Akbayan "remains to be the biggest test" for the poll body. Akbayan has been branded as President Aquino's "favorite" party.

Kontra Daya had earlier called on Comelec to disqualify Akbayan and the Black and White Movement, as both groups have members who are not marginalized and have strong ties with the Aquino administration.

The Comelec on Wednesday, November 7, disqualified the Black and White Movement along with 18 other groups, saying the group is packed with people identified with the Aquino administration. The Black and White Movement can still appeal the decision.

“Of course we’re happy that the Comelec has upheld our contention against these bogus party-list groups. We just hope that the streak of favorable decisions by our poll officials will extend to include bigger and more influential groups, specifically Akbayan, while recognizing party-list organizations that genuinely represent the marginalized and under-represented sectors,” Dizon said.

The group earlier released a list that contains the names of parties that "make a mockery of the party-list system."- Rappler.com

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