THE Commission on Elections said the Makabayan bloc’s party-list members could lose their registration if it is proven that espousing violence is part of the groups’ “policies.”
In a radio interview on Sunday, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez disclosed that espousing violence is indeed part of the criteria for the disqualification of a party-list.
But, he stressed, any complaint should be backed with extensive proof and will go through hearings.
“It should not just be one incident of violence. This violence should be espoused [by the party list] as a matter of policy and pursuing their goal. It should also be proven that the organization has a clear responsibility,” Jimenez said.
“That is why we have a hearing [for such cases]. It’s a balancing act,” he added.
The poll official issued the statement after the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) said it is now considering filing a disqualification case against the Makabayan bloc party-list member groups before Comelelc.
NTF-Elcac claimed Bayan Muna, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Gabriela and Kabataan are “fronts” of communists rebels.
Members of the NTF-Elcac are currently facing charges filed by rights group Karapatan before the Ombudsman for their red-tagging activities.