Bayan Muna dares all partylist groups to publish nominees’ list

Partylist frontrunner Bayan Muna today challenged all the other 90
partylist groups accredited by the Commission on Elections to publish
their list of nominees for partylist representative "in the spirit of
truth and transparency".

"While the Comelec refuses to respect the right of the electorate by
refusing to release the complete list of nominees, we urge all
partylist groups to publish the names of all their nominees in the
spirit of truth and transparency, and in accordance with the people's
right to know," said Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño.

According to Casiño, "we would like to start the ball rolling by again
releasing Bayan Muna's list of nominees."

Bayan Muna's nominees, in order of nomination by the party's National
Convention, are the following: Satur Ocampo, Casiño, Neri Javier
Colmenares, Elpidio Pulmano, Atty. Alfonso Cinco IV, former Rep.
Siegfred Deduro, Roman Polintan, Bayani Cambronero, Hope Hervilla,
Prof. Cynthia Lumbera, and Atty. Joven Laura.

"All our nominees are leaders of Bayan Muna, each with a long history
of fighting with, for and alongside the marginalized and
underrepresented sectors, and coming from both Metro Manila and the
regions," said Casiño.

Said Casiño: "Genuine partylist organizations that adhere to the
Partylist Law and decisions of the Supreme Court have nothing to hide.
Secrecy is the refuge of fake partylist groups which the Arroyo
administration formed and establish to bastardize the partylist system
and to pack the next Congress with sycophants."

"We hope the Comelec will reconsider its questionable policy. The
people have a right to know who the nominees are, especially now that
the Arroyo administration has made it an objective to obliterate the
political opposition, including potential endorsers to a third
impeachment complaint against the President."

Casiño reminded the public that "the desperation to protect Mrs.
Arroyo from impeachment comes from the partylist groups' track record
of throwing their support to this constitutional weapon against
impeachable officials."

Fifteen partylist solons endorsed the first impeachment case against
Arroyo in 2005. Last year, twelve partylist solons voted in favor of
the second impeachment complaint also against the President.

"This is one big reason transparency becomes important," said Casiño.
"The administration wishes to destroy the partylist bloc by inserting
fake partylists composed of junior spokespersons and defenders of the
President." ###