Commission maintains rejection of disqualification case against BH Party-list
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has upheld its decision to dismiss a petition aimed at disqualifying the Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list from contesting the elections. This move brings the party-list one step closer to formal recognition by the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC).
In an eight-page resolution, the Comelec en banc rejected a motion for reconsideration filed by attorney Russell Geronimo. The ruling stated that the initial decision of the Commission's First Division had a solid basis and adhered to the law.
The Comelec en banc stated, "The Assailed Order was neither without sufficient basis found in the records, nor contrary to law. The allegations in the Motion merely reiterate points already considered and passed upon in the Assailed Order, without presenting any new, compelling evidence that would alter the factual or legal conclusions previously reached."
In its original order, the Comelec First Division dismissed the disqualification petition against the BH party-list, citing failure to comply with mandatory requirements. These omissions included not properly serving copies of the petition to the respondents and withholding a Certificate of Nomination-Certificate of Acceptance of Nomination (CON-CAN).
The Comelec en banc agreeed with the First Division's insistence on the importance of meeting mandatory procedural requirements. They warned that granting reconsideration under the current circumstances would undermine the integrity of their own procedural framework and potentially encourage negligent or tactical non-compliance.
With this ruling, the BH party-list may soon be proclaimed by the NBOC. The party-list won one seat with 319,803 votes. The NBOC had previously suspended its proclamation due to the disqualification case.
Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco mentioned that proclamation would be possible once the en banc ruling becomes "final and executory." He noted that the petitioner might still bring the case to the Supreme Court. If the petitioner fails to secure a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court, the en banc decision would become final and executory within five days, allowing for the proclamation of the BH party-list.
[References omitted for brevity]
- The BH Party-list is one step away from formal recognition by the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), following the Comelec en banc's decision to dismiss a disqualification petition against them.
- The Comelec's stance on the BH Party-list's disqualification case underscores the importance of adhering to mandatory procedural requirements in policy-and-legislation related matters, a principle that extends beyond this particular election and into the broader landscape of Philippine politics and general news.
