Comelec division cancels registration of PBBM Party-list

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Pilipinas Babangon Muli (PBBM) party-list, which claims to represent the Calabarzon region, is facing potential disqualification from the party-list race after allegedly fielding nominees who are not residents of the region.

In a 10-page resolution dated Wednesday, April 23, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division granted a petition to cancel the registration of the PBBM party-list. The petition was filed by lawyer Jess Christian Ramires, who alleged that the group committed material misrepresentation.

In its decision, the poll body’s second division agreed that the group’s “failure to have a regional constituency despite its registration as a regional political party” constitutes a violation of Republic Act No. 7941, or the Party-List System Act.

The poll body confirmed that none of the party-list’s ten nominees reside in the Calabarzon region and therefore “cannot be considered bona fide members” of the regional political party.

“In turn, they cannot be qualified as nominees of PBBM. This results in the absence of even a single qualified nominee as required by law. Accordingly, Respondent is disqualified from participating in the party-list elections for failure to field at least one qualified nominee,” the resolution states.

The resolution was signed by Presiding Commissioner Rey Bulay and Commissioners Nelson Celis and Noli Pipo.

Decisions by a Comelec division may still be appealed.