Maza chides Comelec's systematic repression vs progressive partylists

Rep. Liza Maza today decried COMELEC’s recent junking of the petition of two progressive partylists Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and union of government employees Courage for the accreditation of partylist groups in the 2010 national elections describing it as “systematic repression against progressive groups”.

“This systematic attack against legitimate and progressive parties critical of the current administration should stop. COMELEC is apparently denying the constitutionally mandated right of the marginalized sectors to be represented in the legislature,” Maza said.

Maza expressed her support to these groups including Migrante partylist whose petition has also been rejected by COMELEC earlier. She vowed to join them in their appeal.

“Genuine partylist groups representing the marginalized and underrepresented sectors of teachers, public employees and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) should be heard. COMELEC should be transparent in enforcing the rules of accreditation of partylists,” Maza stressed.

Maza also assailed COMELEC for previously allowing bogus sectoral parties "organized, funded, or assisted by the government that includes police-related organizations, security agency or any private armed group". Maza cited partylists Bantay, ANAD and Kasangga whose representatives include the “butcher” Jovito Palparan, Jun Alcover, Jr. and GMA’s sister-in-law Lourdes Arroyo, respectively. ###