Liberal Party president Francis Pangilinan on Friday questioned the “incredible decision” of the Commission on Elections to declare the Nacionalista Party the dominant minority party.
The Comelec had also ruled that the ruling Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino the dominant majority party.
“How can that happen when the PDP and NP are both allied with the Administration?” asked Pangilinan who is also the campaign manager of the opposition Otso Diretso senatorial candidates.
“How can they be both majority and minority? Is the PDP-NP alliance the new KBL (Kilusan Bagong Lipunan)?
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the ranking of the political parties was based on a five-point criteria, including the parties’ accreditation, their showing in the past elections and the number of incumbent elective officials.
He said PDP-Laban earned 55.74 points while the NP earned 35.87 points, according to a May 8 Comelec en banc resolution released on Friday.
The NP is the party founded by former Senate President Manny Villar while PDP-Laban was founded by Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., who also served as Senate President.
President Rodrigo Duterte and former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III are the chairman and president of PDP-Laban, respectively.
“Honorable Commissioners, your decision runs counter to democracy. Runs counter to the basic tenets of fair play. Runs counter to common sense, Pangilinan said.
He slammed the Comelec for allegedly ignoring the opposition party.
“You chose to deny the existence of the Opposition and gave all the privileges to the administration, he said.
He said this was no different from the decision and politicking of politicians in the House of Representatives when they proclaimed former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo House Speaker and elected as minority leader their ally and party-mate Rep. Danny Suarez.
“Is Comelec also engaged in politicking? Pangilinan said.
“We appeal to the Comelec: Don’t pretend to be blind. Don’t be an instrument and a tool of the administration in trampling on our political rights and mangling our democracy. Has the Comelec become a sycophant too?
While the Comelec released its decision on the matter on May 9, 2019, or four days before election day, Pangilinan questioned if it had been deliberate.
He said there was no more time to appeal.
“This is absolutely unacceptable. We oppose this. We will oppose before the Supreme Court. No retreat. Never surrender, Pangilinan said. With Vito Barcelo
