Unless a disqualification case would be filed against a party-list group, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Wednesday, March 30 their privileges to participate in the party-list system should be respected.
In an interview, Commissioner George Irwin Garcia told reporters that the poll body respects the statement of the President and vowed to always look into the appreciations and allegations especially to the party-list groups that have already been accredited.
President Duterte said in his "Talk to the People" address aired Tuesday night, March 29 that during the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino the rich were able to make their way to Congress through the country's party-list system.
He also called out several progressive party-list groups which he accused of acting as "legal fronts" of the Communist Party of the Philippines
Garcia explained that since party-list groups have already been accredited by the poll body they have their so-called "vested rights". Garcia said that there is only a certain period to file a disqualification to cancel the accreditation of a party-list group.
"But definitely this will be a continuing process on the part of the Comelec to likewise and always determine kung may mga violation sila na nakalagay sa Republic Act 7941 or yung party-list law na tinatawag natin (if there are violations of Republic Act 7941 or the party-list law)," he added.
Garcia also mentioned that they welcome the comments made by the President. from all sectors. and interest groups of the electorate.
Party-list groups who filed a manifestation of intent, according to Garcia, were required by the poll body to publish in two newspapers of general circulation technically as a form of announcement to the world. If anybody would want to object, Garcia stated they should do it in the period provided by Comelec.