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Aklat-Asosasyon para sa kaunlaran ng Lipunan at Adhikain para sa Tao,
Inc v. Comelec : 162203 : April 14, 2004 : J. Tinga : En Banc : Resolution 
EN BANC
[G.R. NO. 162203 : April 14, 2004]
AKLAT-ASOSASYON PARA SA KAUNLARAN NG LIPUNANAT ADHIKAIN PARA SA TAO, INC.,
Petitioner, v.
COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS (COMELEC),
Respondent.
R E S O L U T I O N
TINGA, J.:
For resolution is the Petition 1 for certiorari
and mandamus filed by Aklat-Asosasyon Para Sa Kaunlaran Ng Lipunan At
Adhikain Para Sa Tao, Inc. (Aklat) assailing the Commission on Elections
(Comelec) Resolution2 dated January 8, 2004, which dismissed its Petition 3 for re-qualification as a party-list organization, and the Resolution4 dated February 13, 2004, which denied its Motion for Reconsideration.5 cralawred
Briefly, the facts are as follows:chanroblesvirtua1awlibrary
On November 20, 2003,
Aklat filed a Petition for declaration of re-qualification as a
party-list organization for purposes of the May 2004 elections.It alleged in its petition that it
participated in the 2001 elections but was disqualified by the Comelec as it
was found not to have complied with the guidelines set by the Court in the case
of Ang Bagong Bayani-OFW Labor Party v. Comelec (Bagong Bayani case )6 for party-list organizations to qualify and participate as such in the
party-list elections.Accordingly,
Aklatre-organizeditselfinorder that it will comply with
the 8-point guidelines enunciated by the Supreme Court7 in the said case.
In its assailed Resolution dated January 8, 2004, the
Comelec dismissed the petition stating that Aklat cannot be considered as an
organization representing the marginalized and underrepresented groups as
identified under Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7941 (R.A. 7941) .According to the Comelec, Aklats statement
that it has re-organized itself does not cure this defect as there is nothing
in the petition which will help us identify what particular marginalized and
underrepresented group AKLAT is now representing.8 Further, the Comelec held that AKLAT lumped all the sectoral groups imaginable
under the classification of regular members just to convince us that it is now
cured of its defect.9 cralawred
On January 15, 2004, Aklat filed a Motion for Reconsideration
dated January 14, 2004, substantially averring that it has reorganized itself
and taken the necessary steps to make it an organization of, by and for the marginalized
and underrepresented groups of society, particularly the indigenous cultural
communities and the youth.To this end,
it has allegedly effected a fundamental change in its purposes as an
organization, nature of its membership and focus of its programs.10 cralawred
The Comelec denied the motion in its questioned Resolution dated
February 13, 2004, on three grounds, namely:the petition was filed beyond the deadline set by the Comelec in
Resolution No. 6320 for registration of party-list organizations; the petition
was not one for re-qualification as Aklat was never a registered party-list
organization having failed to meet the eight-point guidelines set by the Court
in the Bagong Bayani case; and that its decision not to extend the
deadline for registration of party-list organizations is valid, the Comelec
being in the best position to make such a determination.11 cralawred
In the instant Petition , Aklat asserts that under Section
5 of R.A. 7941, petitions for registration as a party-list organization may be
filed not later than ninety (90) days before the elections.It therefore had until February 10, 2004, the ninetieth (90th)
day before the elections on May 10,
2004, within which to file its petition.Hence, its petition, which was filed on November 20, 2003, was filed within
the allowed period.Section 5 of
Resolution No. 632012 which requires the filing of such petitions not later than September 30, 2003, is null and void as it amends
R.A. 7941.
It further maintains that it has complied with the eight-point
guidelines set in the Bagong Bayani case.Allegedly, Aklat has a total membership of
over 4,000 persons who belong to the marginalized and underrepresented
groups.It has established information
and coordination centers throughout the country for the benefit and in
representation of indigenous cultural communities, farm and factory workers
including fisherfolk and the youth.Aklat also asserts that it is different from Asosasyon Para sa Kaunlaran
ng Industria ng Aklat (A.K.L.A.T.) which was previously de-registered by the
Comelec.Because of all these, Aklat
contends that the Comelec gravely abused its discretion when it denied its
petition for re-qualification.
The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) filed a Comment dated
March 26, 2004, stating
that the Comelec did not commit grave abuse of discretion in issuing the
assailed Resolutions.According
to the OSG, Resolution No. 6320 is not in conflict with and is, in fact,
germane to the purpose of R.A. 7941.It
was within the scope of the authority granted to the Comelec that it issued
Resolution No. 6320 setting the deadline for filing petitions for registration
under the party-list system on September
30, 2003.In line with the
purpose of R.A. 7941 to enable marginalized sectors to actively participate in
legislation, the Comelec must be given sufficient time to evaluate all
petitions for registration, at the same time allowing oppositions to be filed
to the end that only those truly qualified may be accredited under the
party-list system. Besides, Republic Act No. 843613 allows the Comelec to change the periods and dates prescribed by law for
certain pre-election acts to ensure their accomplishment.
The OSG further maintains that the petition for re-qualification
failed to comply with the provisions of Resolution No. 6320.According to the OSG, the petition was not
properly verified there being no showing that Mr. Dominador Buhain, the
signatory of the verification and certification of non-forum shopping, was duly
authorized by Aklat to verify or cause the preparation and filing of the
petition on its behalf.Moreover, Aklat
was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission only on October 20, 2003, a month before it
filed its petition for re-qualification.Hence, it has not existed for a period of at least one (1) year prior to
the filing of the petition as required by Section 6 of Resolution No.
6320.The OSG also points out that Aklat
failed to support its petition with the documents required under Section 7 of
Resolution No. 6320, namely: a list of its officers and members particularly
showing that the majority of its membership belongs to the marginalized and
underrepresented sectors it seeks to represent, and a track record or summary
showing that it represents and seeks to uplift the marginalized and
underrepresented sectors of society.
Moreover, the OSG notes that the incorporators and directors of
Aklat are invariably known as pillars of the book publishing industry or
authors. Hence, even as re-organized, Aklat remains to be an association of
authors, book publishers, and publishing companies, rather than the
organization of indigenous cultural communities, farm and factory workers,
fisherfolk and youth it claims to be.
For its part, the Comelec filed a Comment dated March 29, 2004, stating that the
period of ninety (90) days prescribed in R.A. 7941 refers to the prohibitive
period beyond which petitions for registration may no longer be filed.Furthermore, the documents submitted by Aklat
do not prove that its members belong to the marginalized and underrepresented
sectors of society.
Aklats contention that Resolution No. 6320 is null and void as
it amends and amplifies R.A. 7941 deserves scant consideration.R.A. 7941 provides:chanroblesvirtua1awlibrary
Sec. 5. Registration.Any organized group of persons may register
as a party, organization or coalition for purposes of the party-list system by
filing with the COMELEC not later than ninety (90) days before the election
a petition verified by its president or secretary stating its desire to
participate in the party-list system as a national, regional or sectoral party
or organization or a coalition of such parties or organizations, attaching
thereto its constitution, by-laws, platform or program of government, list of
officers, coalition agreement and other relevant information as the COMELEC may
require: Provided, That the sectors shall include labor, peasant, fisherfolk,
urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, elderly, handicapped, women,
youth, veterans, overseas workers, and professionals[Italics supplied.]
By its wording, R.A. 7941 itself supports the Comelecs position
that the period stated therein refers to the prohibitive period beyond which
petitions for registration should no longer be filed nor entertained.Put elsewise, it is simply the minimum
countback period which is not subject to reduction since it is prescribed by
law, but it is susceptible of protraction on account of administrative
necessities and other exigencies perceived by the poll body.
Verily, the Comelec has the power to promulgate the necessary
rules and regulations to enforce and administer election laws.This power includes the determination, within
the parameters fixed by law, of appropriate periods for the accomplishment of
certain pre-election acts like filing petitions for registration under the
party-list system.This is exactly what
the Comelec did when it issued its Resolution No. 6320 declaring September 30, 2003, as the deadline
for filing petitions for registration under the party-list system.Considering these, as well as the
multifarious pre-election activities that the Comelec is mandated to undertake,
the issuance of its Resolution No. 6320 cannot be considered tainted with grave
abuse of discretion.
Neither is there grave abuse of discretion in the Comelecs denial
of Aklats petition on the ground that it failed to substantiate its claim that
it represents the marginalized and underrepresented sectors of society.It should be noted that it was Aklat which
asserted in its petition before the poll body that it has re-organized and is
now applying for re-qualification after its de-registration for failure to
comply with the guidelines set forth in the Bagong Bayani case.Thus, the Comelec cannot be faulted for
relying on its earlier finding, absent any evidence in Aklats petition to the
contrary, that Aklat is not an organization representing the marginalized and
underrepresented sectors, but is actually a business interest or economic lobby
group which seeks the promotion and protection of the book publishing industry.
Significantly, Aklat and A.K.L.A.T. have substantially the same
incorporators. In fact, four (4) of Aklats six (6) incorporators14 are also incorporators of A.K.L.A.T.15 This substantial similarity is hard to ignore and bolsters the conclusion that
the supposed re-organization undertaken by Aklat is plain window-dressing as it
has not really changed its character as a business interest of persons in the
book publishing industry.
The Court observes that Aklats articles of incorporation and
document entitled The Facts About Aklat which were attached to its
petition for re-qualification contain general averments that it supposedly
represents marginalized groups such as the youth, indigenous communities, urban
poor and farmers/fisherfolk.These
general statements do not measure up to the first guideline set by the Bagong
Bayani case for screening party-list participants, i.e., that the
political party, sector, organization or coalition must represent the
marginalized and underrepresented groups identified in Section 5 of R.A.
7941.In other words, it must
showthrough its constitution, articles of incorporation, bylaws, history,
platform of government and track recordthat it represents and seeks to uplift
marginalized and underrepresented sectors. Verily, majority of its membership
should belong to the marginalized and underrepresented. And it must demonstrate
that in a conflict of interests, it has chosen or is likely to choose the
interest of such sectors.16 cralawred
In this regard, the Court notes with approval the OSGs
contention that Aklat has no track record to speak of concerning its
representation of marginalized and underrepresented constituencies considering
that it has been in existence for only a month prior to the filing of its
petition for re-qualification.
It should finally be emphasized that the findings of fact by the
Comelec, or any other administrative agency exercising particular expertise in
its field of endeavor, are binding on the Supreme Court.17 cralawred
In view of the foregoing, the Comelec can, by no means, be held
to have committed grave abuse of discretion to justify the setting aside of the
assailed Resolutions.
ACCORDINGLY, the Petition is DISMISSED.
SO ORDERED.
Davide, Jr., C.J., Puno, Vitug, Panganiban, Quisumbing, Ynares-Santiago,
Sandoval-Gutierrez, Carpio, Austria-Martinez, Corona, Carpio-Morales, Callejo,
Sr., and Azcuna, JJ., concur.
Endnotes:
2 Id. at 38-41,
Annex A of the Petition.
3 Id. at 68-77,
Annex D of the Petition.
4 Id. at 42-48,
Annex B of the Petition.
5 Id. at 111-125,
Annex E of the Petition.
6 G.R. No. 147589, June 26, 2001,
359 SCRA 698.
7
Supra, note 3 at 69-70. The guidelines for screening party-list participants, as
enunciated in the Bagong Bayani case, are as follows:chanroblesvirtua1awlibrary
First, the political party, sector, organization or
coalition must represent the marginalized and underrepresented groups
identified in Section 5 of RA 7941.In
other words, it must show
through its constitution, articles of incorporation, bylaws, history, platform
of government and track record
that it represents and seeks to uplift marginalized and underrepresented
sectors.Verily, majority of its
membership should belong to themarginalized and underrepresented.And it must demonstrate that in a conflict of interests, it has chosen
or is likely to choose the interest of such sectors.
Second, while even major political parties are
expressly allowed by RA 7941 and the Constitution to participate in the
party-list system, they must comply with the declared statutory policy of
enabling Filipino citizens belonging to marginalized and underrepresented
sectors x x x to be elected to the House of Representatives.In other words, while they are not
disqualified merely on the ground that they are political parties, they must
show, however, that they represent the interests of the marginalized and
underrepresented.. .
Third, the religious sector may not be represented in
the party-list system.. .
Fourth, a party or an organization must not be
disqualified under Section 6 of RA 7941.. .
Fifth, the party or organization must not be an
adjunt of, or a project organized or an entity funded or assisted by, the
government.. .
Sixth, the party must not only comply with the
requirements of the law; its nominees must likewise do so.. .
Seventh, not only the candidate party or organization
must represent marginalizedand
underrepresented sectors; so also must its nominees.To repeat, under Section 2 of RA 7941, the nominees
must be Filipino citizens who belong to marginalized and underrepresented
sectors, organizations and parties.. ..
Eight, as previously discussed, while lacking a
well-defined political constituency, the nominee must likewise be able to
contribute to the formulation and enactment of appropriate legislation that
will benefit the nation as a whole.. .
Ang Bagong Bayani-OFW Labor Party v. COMELEC, supra,
pp. 727-731.
10
Supra, note 5 at 115-116.
12 Sec.
5. When to file petition for registration and manifestation to participate.a)
Petitions for registration shall be filed not later than September 30, 2003; and b) Manifestations to
participate in the party-list election shall be filed not later than January 11, 2004. Comelec Resolution
No. 6320.
13 Sec. 28. Designation of other Dates for Certain Pre-election Acts.If it shall no longer be reasonably possible
to observe the periods and the dates prescribed by law for certain pre-election
acts, the Commission shall fix other periods and dates in order to ensure
accomplishment of the activities so voters shall not be deprived of their
suffrage. R.A. 8436.
14
Supra, note 1 at 53, Articles of Incorporation of Aklat.
15 Id. at 134,
Articles of Incorporation of A.K.L.A.T.
17 Dumayas v. Comelec, G.R. NOS. 141952-53,
April 20, 2001, 357 SCRA 358, citing Cordero v. Comelec,
310 SCRA 118,
citing Grego v. Comelec,
274 SCRA 481; Phil. Savings Bank v. NLRC, 261 SCRA 409; and Navarro v.
Comelec, 228 SCRA 596.
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