The progressive democratic alliance Sanlakas and the Partido ng Manggagawa (Workers Party, PM) were at long last proclaimed as having won seats in congress along with five other Party List organizations. The announcement was made on Thursday July 10 and ends two years of court deliberation on a temporary restraining order to the electoral commission (Comelec) against proclaiming party list winners. The BMP actively campaigned in support of the two organisations in the last elections.
The Supreme Court at first affirmed the party-list law that allows only parties representing the ‘marginalized sectors’ from being proclaimed. It means junking a few other parties which were set up and financed by the pro-capitalist electoral parties and by the government.
The seven parties, however, could not be proclaimed because of a restraining motion filed by rival parties. Finally, the Supreme Court lifted the restraining order and allowed the Comelec to proclaim the seven. Renato Magtubo, a returning congress representative formerly from Sanlakas, will take the seat for Partido ng Manggagawa. Jose Virgilio ‘JV’ Bautista will be the Sanlakas representative.
The five other reps come from Anak Mindanao (Amin) [Mujiv Hataman], Abanse Pinay (Pat Sarenas), ABA, Philippine Coconut Producers’ Federation (Cocofed), and Buhay.
International Desk, 11 July, 2003
BMP