Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Manila EN BANC G.R. No.

203766 April 2, 2013

ATONG PAGLAUM, INC., represen e! "# i s Presi!en , Mr. Al$n I%o , Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. Nos. 203&1&'1( A)O *ICOL POLITICAL PART+ ,A)*-, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 203(22 ASSOCIATION O. P/ILIPPINE ELECTRIC COOPERATI0ES ,APEC-,represen e! "# i s Presi!en Con%ress1$n Pon2i$no 3. P$#4#o, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 203(36 A)S+ON MAGSASA)A'PARTI3O TINIG NG MASA, represen e! "# i s Presi!en Mi25$el A"$s )i!$,Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 203(6& )APATIRAN NG MGA NA)ULONG NA 7ALANG SALA, INC. ,)A)USA-, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 203(60

1s CONSUMERS ALLIANCE .OR RURAL ENERG+, INC. ,1'CARE-, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 203(76 ALLIANCE .OR RURAL AN3 AGRARIAN RECONSTRUCTION, INC. ,ARARO-, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 203(&1 ASSOCIATION .OR RIG/TEOUSNESS A30OCAC+ ON LEA3ERS/IP ,ARAL- PART+'LIST, represen e! 5erein "# Ms. Lo4r!es L. A%4s in, 5e p$r #8s Se2re $r# Gener$l, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209002 ALLIANCE .OR RURAL CONCERNS, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 2090(9 ALLIANCE .OR NATIONALISM AN3 3EMOCRAC+ ,ANA3-, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209100 1'*RO P/ILIPPINE GUAR3IANS *ROT/ER/OO3, INC., ,1*RO'PG*I- :or1erl# PG*I, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209122

1 GUAR3IANS NATIONALIST P/ILIPPINES, INC., ,1GANAP;GUAR3IANS-, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC 2o1pose! o: SI<TO S. *RILLANTES, =R., C5$ir1$n, RENE 0. SARMIENTO, Co11issioner,LUCENITO N. TAGLE, Co11issioner,ARMAN3O C. 0ELASCO, Co11issioner,ELIAS R. +USOP/, Co11issioner, $n!C/RISTIAN RO*ERT S. LIM, Co11issioner,Respondents. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209126 AGAPA+ NG IN3IGENOUS PEOPLES RIG/TS ALLIANCE, INC. ,A'IPRA-, represen e! "# i s Se2re $r# Gener$l,Ron$l! 3. M$2$r$i%, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209126 )AAGAPA+ NG NAG)A)AISANG AGILANG PILIPINONG MAGSASA)A ,)AP-, :or1erl# >no?n $s A)O AGILA NG NAG)A)AISANG MAGSASA)A ,A)O AGILA-, represen e! "# i s Se2re $r# Gener$l, Leo R. S$n *4en$@en 4r$, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 20913( ALA* NG MAMAMA/A+AG ,ALAM-, represen e! "# A #. *er eni C$ $l4A$ C$4sin%, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209191 *ANTA+ PART+ LIST, represen e! "# M$ri$ E@$n%elin$ .. P$lp$r$n, Presi!en , Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209163 PASANG MAS3A NATION7I3E PART+ "# i s Presi!en Ro"er o B)$ O"e B M$r in, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondents.

x-----------------------x G.R. No. 20916& A*ROA3 PART+ LIST, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, C/AIRMAN SI<TO S. *RILLANTES, =R., COMMISSIONERS RENE 0. SARMIENTO, ARMAN3O C. 0ELASCO, ELIAS R. +USOP/, C/RISTIAN RO*ERT S. LIM, MARIA GRACIA CIELO M. PA3ACA, LUCENITO TAGLE, AN3 ALL OT/ER PERSONS ACTING ON T/EIR *E/AL., Respondents. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209179 AANGAT TA+O PART+ LIST'PART+, represen e! "# i s Presi!en Si1eon T. Sil@$, =r., Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209216 COCO.E3'P/ILIPPINE COCONUT PRO3UCERS .E3ERATION, INC., Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209220 A*ANG LING)O3 PART+'LIST, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209236 .IRM 29') ASSOCIATION, INC., Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 20923&

ALLIANCE O. *ICOLNON PART+ ,A*P-, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 20923( GREEN .ORCE .OR T/E EN0IRONMENT SONS AN3 3AUG/TERS O. MOT/ER EART/ ,GREEN.ORCE-,Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209290 AGRI'AGRA NA REPORMA PARA SA MAGSASA)A NG PILIPINAS MO0EMENT ,AGRI-, represen e! "# i s Se2re $r# Gener$l, Mi25$el R#$n A. EnriC4eD, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209263 A *LESSE3 PART+ LIST A.).A. *LESSE3.E3ERATION O. .ARMERS AN3 .IS/ERMEN INTERNATIONAL, INC., Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 20931& UNITE3 MO0EMENT AGAINST 3RUGS .OUN3ATION ,UNIMA3- PART+'LIST, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209321 ANG AGRI)ULTURA NATIN ISULONG ,AANI-, represen e! "# i s Se2re $r# Gener$l =ose C. Poli2$rpio, =r.,Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x

G.R. No. 209323 *A+ANI PART+LIST $s represen e! "#/o1er *4eno, .i r#lin 3$l5$ni,Isr$el !e C$s ro, 3$n e N$@$rro$n! G4ilin% M$1on!ion%, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, C/AIRMAN SI<TO S. *RILLANTES, =R., COMMISSIONERS RENE 0. SARMIENTO, LUCENITO N. TAGLE, ARMAN3O C. 0ELASCO, ELIAS R. +USOP/, C/RISTIAN RO*ERT S. LIM, $n! MARIA GRACIA CIELO M. PA3ACA, Respondents. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209391 ACTION LEAGUE O. IN3IGENOUS MASSES,ALIM- PART+'LIST, represen e! 5erein "# i s Presi!en .$ $ni S. A"!4l M$li>, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209366 *UTIL .ARMERS PART+, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 20936& ALLIANCE O. A30OCATES IN MININGA30ANCEMENT .OR NATIONAL PROGRESS ,AAMA-, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 20936( SOCIAL MO0EMENT .OR ACTI0ERE.ORM AN3 TRANSPARENC+ ,SMART-, represen e! "# i s C5$ir1$n, C$rli o *. C4"elo, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209369 A3/I)AIN AT )ILUSAN NG OR3INAR+ONG'TAO, PARA SA LUPA, PA*A/A+, /ANAP*U/A+ AT )AUNLARAN ,A)O *U/A+-, Petitioner, vs.

COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, SI<TO S. *RILLANTES, =R., RENE 0. SARMIENTO, LUCENITO N. TAGLE, ARMAN3O C. 0ELASCO, ELIAS R. +USOP/, C/RISTIAN RO*ERT S. LIM, $n! MA. GRACIA CIELO M. PA3ACA, in 5eir 2$p$2i ies $s Co11issioners 5ereo:, Respondents. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209367 A)*A+ )ALUSUGAN INCORPORATION,A)IN-, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209370 A)O AN *ISA+A ,AA*-, represen e! "# i sSe2re $r# Gener$l, Ro!ol:o T. T4$Don, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209379 *IN/I'PARTI3O NG MGA MAGSASA)A PARA SA MGA MAGSASA)A, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 20937( ALAGA3 NG SINING ,ASIN- represen e! "# i s Presi!en , .$#e M$#"elle LorenD, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 2093(9 ASSOCIATION O. GUAR3 UTILIT+ /ELPER, AI3ER, RI3ER, 3RI0ER;3OMESTIC /ELPER, =ANITOR, AGENT AN3 NANN+ O. T/E P/ILIPPINES, INC. ,GUAR3=AN-, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209902

)ALI)ASAN PART+'LIST, represen e! "# i s Presi!en , Cle1en e G. *$4 is $, =r., $n! Se2re $r# Gener$l, .r$n2es E. E4i1po, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 20990& PILIPINO ASSOCIATION .OR COUNTR+'UR*AN POOR +OUT/ A30ANCEMENT AN3 7EL.ARE ,PAC+A7-,Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209910 1'UNITE3 TRANSPORT )OALIS+ON ,1'UTA)-, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209921 COALITION O. ASSOCIATIONS O. SENIOR CITIFENS IN T/E P/ILIPPINES, INC. SENIOR CITIFEN PART+'LIST, represen e! 5erein "# i s 1s no1inee $n! C5$ir1$n, .r$n2is2o G. 3$ ol, =r., Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209926 COALITION O. ASSOCIATIONS O. SENIOR CITIFENS IN T/E P/ILIPPINES, INC., Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS $n! AN+ O. ITS O..ICERS AN3 AGENTS, ACTING .OR AN3 IN ITS *E/AL., INCLU3ING T/E C/AIR AN3 MEM*ERSO. T/E COMMISSION, Respondents. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209926 ASSOCIATION O. LOCAL AT/LETICS ENTREPRENEURS AN3 /O**+ISTS, INC. ,ALA' E/-, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, SI<TO S. *RILLANTES, =R., RENE 0. SARMIENTO, LUCENITO N. TAGLE, ARMAN3O C. 0ELASCO, ELIAS R. +USOP/, C/RISTIAN RO*ERT S.

LIM, $n! MA. GRACIA CIELO M. PA3ACA, in 5eir respe2 i@e 2$p$2i ies $s COMELEC C5$irperson $n! Co11issioners, Respondents. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 20992& ANG GALING PINO+ ,AG-, represen e! "# i s Se2re $r# Gener$l, *ern$r!o R. Corell$, =r., Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209936 1 ALLIANCE A30OCATING AUTONOM+ PART+ ,1AAAP-, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209936 A*+AN ILONGGO PART+ ,AI-, represen e! "#i s P$r # Presi!en , RoleG T. S4pli2o, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 209966 MANILA TEAC/ER SA0INGS AN3 LOAN ASSOCIATION, INC., Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 2099&9 PARTI3O NG *A+AN ANG *I3A ,P**-, represen e! "# i s Se2re $r# Gener$l, Ro%er M. .e!er$Do,Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 2099&6

ALLIANCE O. ORGANIFATIONS, NET7OR)S AN3 ASSOCIATIONS O. T/E P/ILIPPINES, INC. ,ALONA-,Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 2099&6 1s )A*ALI)AT NG *A+AN GIN/A7ANG SANG)ATAU/AN ,1s )A*AGIS-, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent. x-----------------------x G.R. No. 2099(0 PILIPINAS PARA SA PINO+ ,PPP-, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN *ANC, Respondent. PERLA -BERNABE,! "EC# CARPIO, J.: T5e C$ses %hese cases constitute &' Petitions for Certiorari and Petitions for Certiorari and Prohibition( filed b) &* part)-list +roups and or+ani,ations assailin+ the Resolutions issued b) the Co--ission on Elections .C$MELEC/ dis0ualif)in+ the- fro- participatin+ in the (1 Ma) *2(1 part)-list elections, either b) denial of their petitions for re+istration under the part)-list s)ste-, or cancellation of their re+istration and accreditation as part)-list or+ani,ations. %his Court resolved to consolidate the &' petitions in the Resolutions dated (1 Nove-ber *2(*, * *2 Nove-ber *2(*,1 *3 Nove-ber *2(*,' ' "ece-ber *2(*,& (( "ece-ber *2(*,4 and (5 6ebruar) *2(1.3 T5e .$2 s Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 35'( .R.A. No. 35'(/ and C$MELEC Resolution Nos. 5144 and 5&1(, approxi-atel) *72 +roups and or+ani,ations re+istered and -anifested their desire to participate in the (1 Ma) *2(1 part)-list elections. G.R. No. SPP No. Gro4p Gro4n!s :or 3eni$l #$N

A. 0i$ 5e COMELEC En *$n28s $4 o1$ i2 re@ie? o: 5e COMELEC 3i@ision8s resol4 ions $ppro@in% re%is r$ ion o: %ro4ps;or%$niD$ ions Resol4 ion !$ e! 23 No@e1"er 20127

*2'135

(*-255 .PLM/

Ala+ad n+ inin+ .A #N/

- %he 8artists8 sector is not considered -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented9 - 6ailure to prove trac: record9 and - 6ailure of the no-inees to 0ualif) under RA 35'( and An+ Ba+on+ Ba)ani.

O1ni"4s Resol4 ion !$ e! 27 No@e1"er 20125 * *2''&& (*-2'( .PLM/ Manila %eachers avin+s and Loan Association, #nc. .Manila %eachers/ Association of Local Athletics Entrepreneurs and ;obb)ists, #nc. .ALA-E;/ - A non-stoc: savin+s and loan association cannot be considered -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented9 and - %he first and second no-inees are not teachers b) profession. - 6ailure to sho< that its -e-bers belon+ to the -ar+inali,ed9 and - 6ailure of the no-inees to 0ualif).

*2''*4

(*-2(( .PLM/

Resol4 ion !$ e! 27 No@e1"er 2012(2 ' *2''1& (*-2&3 .PLM/ ( Alliance Advocatin+ Autono-) Part) .(AAAP/ - 6ailure of the no-inees to 0ualif)= althou+h re+isterin+ as a re+ional political part), t<o of the no-inees are not residents of the re+ion9 and four of the five no-inees do not belon+ to the -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented.

Resol4 ion !$ e! 27 No@e1"er 2012(( & *2'143 (*-(2' .PL/ A:ba) >alusu+an .A>#N/, #nc. - 6ailure of the +roup to sho< that its no-inees belon+ to the urban poor sector.

Resol4 ion !$ e! 2( No@e1"er 2012(* 4 *2'132 (*-2(( .PP/ A:o An Bisa)a .AAB/ - 6ailure to represent a -ar+inali,ed sector of societ), despite the for-ation of a sectoral <in+ for the benefit of far-ers of Re+ion 79 - Constituenc) has district representatives9 - Lac: of trac: record in representin+ peasants and far-ers9 and - No-inees are neither

far-ers nor peasants. Resol4 ion !$ e! 9 3e2e1"er 2012(1 3 *2''14 (*-225 .PP/, (*-(4& .PLM/ Ab)an #lon++o Part) .A#/ - 6ailure to sho< that the part) represents a -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented sector, as the Province of #loilo has district representatives9 - ?ntruthful state-ents in the -e-orandu-9 and - @ithdra<al of three of its five no-inees.

Resol4 ion !$ e! 9 3e2e1"er 2012(' 7 *2''7& (*-(3& .PL/ Alliance of $r+ani,ations, Net<or:s and Associations of the Philippines, #nc. .AL$NA/ - 6ailure to establish that the +roup can represent (' sectors9 - %he sectors of ho-eo<nersA associations, entrepreneurs and cooperatives are not -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented9 and - %he no-inees do not belon+ to the -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented.

*. 0i$ 5e COMELEC En *$n28s re@ie? on 1o ion :or re2onsi!er$ ion o: 5e COMELEC 3i@ision8s resol4 ions !en#in% re%is r$ ion o: %ro4ps $n! or%$niD$ ions Resol4 ion !$ e! 7 No@e1"er 2012(& 5 *2'(15 (*-(*3 .PL/ Alab n+ Ma-a-aha)a+ .ALAM/ - 6ailure to prove trac: record as an or+ani,ation9 - 6ailure to sho< that the +roup actuall) represents the -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented9 and - 6ailure to establish that the +roup can represent all sectors it see:s to represent.

Resol4 ion !$ e! 7 No@e1"er 2012(4 (2 *2''2* (*-24( .PP/ >ali:asan Part)-List .>AL#>A AN/ - %he +roup reflects an advocac) for the environ-ent, and is not representative of the -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented9 - %here is no proof that -aBorit) of its -e-bers belon+ to the -ar+inali,ed

and underrepresented9 - %he +roup represents sectors <ith conflictin+ interests9 and - %he no-inees do not belon+ to the sector <hich the +roup clai-s to represent. Resol4 ion !$ e! 19 No@e1"er 2012(3 (( *2'15' (*-('& .PL/ Association of Cuard, ?tilit) ;elper, Aider, Rider, "riverD "o-estic ;elper, Eanitor, A+ent and Nann) of the Philippines, #nc. .C?AR"EAN/ - 6ailure to prove -e-bership base and trac: record9 - 6ailure to present activities that sufficientl) benefited its intended constituenc)9 and - %he no-inees do not belon+ to an) of the sectors <hich the +roup see:s to represent.

Resol4 ion !$ e! 6 3e2e1"er 2012(7 (* *2''52 (*-231 .PLM/ Pilipinas Para sa Pino) .PPP/ - 6ailure to sho< that the +roup represents a -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented sector, as Re+ion (* has district representatives9 and - 6ailure to sho< a trac: record of underta:in+ pro+ra-s for the <elfare of the sector the +roup see:s to represent.

#n a Resolution dated & "ece-ber *2(*,(5 the C$MELEC En Banc affir-ed the C$MELEC econd "ivisionAs resolution to +rant Partido n+ Ba)an n+ BidaAs .PBB/ re+istration and accreditation as a political part) in the National Capital Re+ion. ;o<ever, PBB <as denied participation in the (1 Ma) *2(1 part)-list elections because PBB does not represent an) 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 sector9 PBB failed to appl) for re+istration as a part)-list +roup9 and PBB failed to establish its trac: record as an or+ani,ation that see:s to uplift the lives of the 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented.8 *2 %hese (1 petitioners .A #N, Manila %eachers, ALA-E;, (AAAP, A>#N, AAB, A#, AL$NA, ALAM, >AL#>A AN, C?AR"EAN, PPP, and PBB/ <ere not able to secure a -andator) inBunction fro- this Court. %he C$MELEC, on 3 Eanuar) *2(1 issued Resolution No. 542', *( and excluded the na-es of these (1 petitioners in the printin+ of the official ballot for the (1 Ma) *2(1 part)-list elections. Pursuant to para+raph *** of Resolution No. 5&(1, the C$MELEC En Banc scheduled su--ar) evidentiar) hearin+s to deter-ine <hether the +roups and or+ani,ations that filed -anifestations of intent to participate in the (1 Ma) *2(1 part)-list elections have continuall) co-plied <ith the re0uire-ents of R.A. No. 35'( and An+ Ba+on+ Ba)ani-$6@ Labor Part) v. C$MELEC *1 .An+ Ba+on+ Ba)ani/. %he C$MELEC dis0ualified the follo<in+ +roups and or+ani,ations froparticipatin+ in the (1 Ma) *2(1 part)-list elections=

G.R. No.

SPP No.

Gro4p

Gro4n!s :or 3eni$l

Resol4 ion !$ e! 10 O2 o"er 2012*' ( *217(7(5 (*-(&' .PLM/ (*-(33 .PLM/ A>$ Bicol Political Part) .A>B/ Retained re+istration and accreditation as a political part), but denied participation in the Ma) *2(1 part)-list elections - 6ailure to represent an) -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented sector9 - %he Bicol re+ion alread) has representatives in Con+ress9 and - %he no-inees are not -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented.

O1ni"4s Resol4 ion !$ e! 11 O2 o"er 2012*& * *21344 (*-(4( .PLM/ Aton+ Pa+lau-, #nc. .Aton+ Pa+lau-/ Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - %he no-inees do not belon+ to the sectors <hich the part) represents9 and - %he part) failed to file its tate-ent of Contributions and Expenditures for the *2(2 Elections. Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - 6ailure to co-pl), and for violation of election la<s9 - %he no-inees do not represent the sectors <hich the part) represents9 and - %here is doubt that the part) is or+ani,ed for reli+ious purposes. Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - 6ailure of the no-inees to 0ualif)9 and - 6ailure of the part) to prove that -aBorit) of its -e-bers belon+ to the sectors it see:s to represent. Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - %he sectors of dru+

*2157(

(*-(73 .PLM/

Association for Ri+hteousness Advocac) on Leadership .ARAL/

'

*2'22*

(*-(77 .PLM/

Alliance for Rural Concerns .ARC/

&

*2'1(7

(*-**2 .PLM/

?nited Move-ent A+ainst "ru+s

6oundation .?N#MA"/

counsellors and lecturers, veterans and the )outh, are not -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented9 - 6ailure to establish trac: record9 and - 6ailure of the no-inees to 0ualif) as representatives of the )outh and )oun+ urban professionals.

O1ni"4s Resol4 ion !$ e! 16 O2 o"er 2012*4 4 *2'(22 (*-(54 .PLM/ (-Bro Philippine Cuardians Brotherhood, #nc. .(BR$-PCB#/ Cancelled re+istration - 6ailure to define the sector it see:s to represent9 and - %he no-inees do not belon+ to a -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented sector. Cancelled re+istration - %he part) is a -ilitar) fraternit)9 - %he sector of co--unit) volunteer <or:ers is too broad to allo< for -eanin+ful representation9 and - %he no-inees do not appear to belon+ to the sector of co--unit) volunteer <or:ers. Cancelled re+istration - %hree of the seven no-inees do not belon+ to the sector of far-ers and fisher-en, the sector sou+ht to be represented9 and - None of the no-inees are re+istered voters of Re+ion F#, the re+ion sou+ht to be represented.

*2'(**

(*-**1 .PLM/

( Cuardians Nationalist Philippines, #nc. .(CANAPD C?AR"#AN /

*2'*4

(*-*&3 .PLM/

Blessed 6ederation of 6ar-ers and 6isher-en #nternational, #nc. .A BLE E" Part)-List/

Resol4 ion !$ e! 16 O2 o"er 2012*3 5 *21542 (*-*42 .PLM/ (st Consu-ers Alliance for Rural Ener+), #nc. .(-CARE/ Cancelled re+istration - %he sector of rural ener+) consu-ers is not -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented9 - %he part)As trac: record is related to electric cooperatives and not rural ener+) consu-ers9 and - %he no-inees do not belon+

to the sector of rural ener+) consu-ers. Resol4 ion !$ e! 16 O2 o"er 2012*7 (2 *215** (*-*2( .PLM/ Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives .APEC/ Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - 6ailure to represent a -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented sector9 and - %he no-inees do not belon+ to the sector that the part) clai-s to represent.

Resol4 ion !$ e! 23 O2 o"er 2012*5 (( *2'(3' (*-*1* .PLM/ Aan+at %a)o Part)-List Part) . A% / Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - %he incu-bent representative in Con+ress failed to author or sponsor bills that are beneficial to the sectors that the part) represents .<o-en, elderl), )outh, urban poor/9 and - %he no-inees do not belon+ to the -ar+inali,ed sectors that the part) see:s to represent.

O1ni"4s Resol4 ion !$ e! 29 O2 o"er 201212 (* *21534 (*-*77 .PLM/ Alliance for Rural and A+rarian Reconstruction, #nc. .ARAR$/ Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - %he interests of the peasant and urban poor sectors that the part) represents differ9 - %he no-inees do not belon+ to the sectors that the part) see:s to represent9 - 6ailure to sho< that three of the no-inees are bona fide part) -e-bers9 and - Lac: of a Board resolution to participate in the part)-list elections.

O1ni"4s Resol4 ion !$ e! 29 O2 o"er 20121( (1 *2'*'2 (*-*35 .PLM/ A+ri-A+ra na Repor-a Para sa Ma+sasa:a n+ Pilipinas Move-ent .ACR#/ Cancelled re+istration - %he part) ceased to exist for -ore than a )ear i--ediatel) after the Ma) *2(2 elections9 - %he no-inees do not belon+ to the sector of peasants and

far-ers that the part) see:s to represent9 - $nl) four no-inees <ere sub-itted to the C$MELEC9 and - 6ailure to sho< -eanin+ful activities for its constituenc). (' *21514 (*-*'7 .PLM/ A:s)on Ma+sasa:a-Partido %ini+ n+ Masa .A>MA-P%M/ Cancelled re+istration - 6ailure to sho< that -aBorit) of its -e-bers are -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented9 - 6ailure to prove that four of its nine no-inees actuall) belon+ to the far-ers sector9 and - 6ailure to sho< that five of its nine no-inees <or: on upliftin+ the lives of the -e-bers of the sector. Cancelled re+istration - %he Manifestation of #ntent and Certificate of No-ination <ere not si+ned b) an appropriate officer of the part)9 - 6ailure to sho< trac: record for the far-ers and peasants sector9 and - 6ailure to sho< that no-inees actuall) belon+ to the sector, or that the) have underta:en -eanin+ful activities for the sector. Cancelled re+istration - 6ailure to sho< that no-inees actuall) belon+ to the sector, or that the) have underta:en -eanin+ful activities for the sector.

(& *2'(*4

(*-*41 .PLM/

>aa+apa) n+ Na+:a:aisan+ A+ilan+ Pilipinon+ Ma+sasa:a .>AP/

(4 *2'14'

(*-(72 .PLM/

Adhi:ain at >ilusan n+ $rdinar)on+ %ao Para sa Lupa, Pabaha), ;anapbuha) at >aunlaran .A>$-BA;AG/ %he %rue Marcos Lo)alist .for Cod, Countr) and People/ Association of the Philippines, #nc. .BAN%AG/

(3 *2'('(

(*-**5 .PLM/

Cancelled re+istration - 6ailure to sho< that -aBorit) of its -e-bers are -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented9 and - 6ailure to prove that t<o of its no-inees actuall) belon+ to the -ar+inali,ed and

underrepresented. (7 *2''27 (*-*(3 .PLM/ Pilipino Association for Countr) H ?rban Poor Gouth Advance-ent and @elfare . PA C GA@ / Cancelled re+istration - Chan+e of sector .frourban poor )outh to urban poor/ necessitates a ne< application9 - 6ailure to sho< trac: record for the -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented9 - 6ailure to prove that -aBorit) of its -e-bers and officers are fro- the urban poor sector9 and - %he no-inees are not -e-bers of the urban poor sector. Cancelled re+istration - %he part) represents drivers and operators, <ho -a) have conflictin+ interests9 and - No-inees are either operators or for-er operators. Cancelled re+istration - 6ailure to prove that na @alan+ ala, #nc. .>A>? A/ -aBorit) of its officers and -e-bers belon+ to the -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented9 - %he incu-bent representative in Con+ress failed to author or sponsor bills that are beneficial to the sector that the part) represents .persons i-prisoned <ithout proof of +uilt be)ond reasonable doubt/9 - 6ailure to sho< trac: record for the -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented9 and - %he no-inees did not appear to be -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented.

(5 *2'(&1

(*-*33 .PLM/

Pasan+ Masda Nation<ide Part) .PA ANC MA "A/

*2 *215&7

(*-2(& .PLM/

>apatiran n+ -+a Na:ulon+ na @alan+ ala, #nc. .>A>? A/

Resol4 ion !$ e! 30 O2 o"er 20121* *( *2''*7 (*-*&4 .PLM/ An+ Calin+ Pino) .AC/ Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - 6ailure to attend the

su--ar) hearin+9 - 6ailure to sho< trac: record for the -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented9 and - %he no-inees did not appear to be -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented. Resol4 ion !$ e! 7 No@e1"er 201211 ** *2'25' (*-(7& .PLM/ Alliance for Nationalis- and "e-ocrac) .ANA"/ Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - 6ailure to represent an identifiable -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented sector9 - $nl) three no-inees <ere sub-itted to the C$MELEC9 - %he no-inees do not belon+ to the -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented9 and - 6ailure to sub-it its tate-ent of Contribution and Expenditures for the *223 Elections.

O1ni"4s Resol4 ion !$ e! 7 No@e1"er 20121' *1 *2'*15 (*-242 .PLM/ Creen 6orce for the Environ-ent ons and "au+hters of Mother Earth .CREEN6$RCE/ Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - %he part) is an advocac) +roup and does not represent the -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented9 - 6ailure to co-pl) <ith the trac: record re0uire-ent9 and - %he no-inees are not -ar+inali,ed citi,ens. Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - %he no-inees do not belon+ to the sector that the part) see:s to represent .urban poor and peasants of the National Capital Re+ion/9 - $nl) t<o of its no-inees reside in the National Capital Re+ion9 and - 6ailure to co-pl) <ith the trac: record re0uire-ent. Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - 6ailure to establish that its no-inees are -e-bers of the

*' *2'*14

(*-*&' .PLM/

6ir- *'-> Association, #nc. .6#RM *'->/

*& *2'1'(

(*-*45 .PLM/

Action Lea+ue of #ndi+enous Masses .AL#M/

indi+enous people in the Mindanao and Cordilleras sector that the part) see:s to represent9 - $nl) t<o of the part)As no-inees reside in the Mindanao and Cordilleras9 and - %hree of the no-inees do not appear to belon+ to the -ar+inali,ed. Resol4 ion !$ e! 7 No@e1"er 20121& *4 *2'1&7 (*-*2' .PLM/ Alliance of Advocates in Minin+ Advance-ent for National Pro+ress .AAMA/ Cancelled re+istration - %he sector it represents is a specificall) defined +roup <hich -a) not be allo<ed re+istration under the part)-list s)ste-9 and - 6ailure to establish that the no-inees actuall) belon+ to the sector.

Resol4 ion !$ e! 7 No@e1"er 201214 *3 *2'1&5 (*-*3* .PLM/ ocial Move-ent for Active Reforand %ransparenc) . MAR%/ Cancelled re+istration - %he no-inees are dis0ualified frorepresentin+ the sectors that the part) represents9 - 6ailure to co-pl) <ith the trac: record re0uire-ent9 and - %here is doubt as to <hether -aBorit) of its -e-bers are -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented.

Resol4 ion !$ e! 7 No@e1"er 201213 *7 *2'*17 (*-(31 .PLM/ Alliance of Bicolnon Part) .ABP/ Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - "efective re+istration and accreditation datin+ bac: to *2(29 - 6ailure to represent an) sector9 and - 6ailure to establish that the no-inees are e-plo)ed in the construction industr), the sector it clai-s to represent.

Resol4 ion !$ e! 7 No@e1"er 201217 *5 *2'1*1 (*-*(2 .PLM/ Ba)ani Part) List .BAGAN#/ Cancelled re+istration and accreditation

- 6ailure to prove a trac: record of tr)in+ to uplift the -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented sector of professionals9 and - $ne no-inee <as declared un0ualified to represent the sector of professionals. Resol4 ion !$ e! 7 No@e1"er 201215 12 *2'1*( (*-*&* .PLM/ An+ A+ri:ultura Natin #sulon+ .AAN#/ Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - 6ailure to establish a trac: record of enhancin+ the lives of the -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented far-ers <hich it clai-s to represent9 and - More than a -aBorit) of the part)As no-inees do not belon+ to the far-ers sector.

Resol4 ion !$ e! 7 No@e1"er 2012'2 1( *2'(*& (*-*5* .PLM/ A+apa) n+ #ndi+enous Peoples Ri+hts Alliance, #nc. .A-#PRA/ Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - 6ailure to prove that its five no-inees are -e-bers of the indi+enous people sector9 - 6ailure to prove that its five no-inees activel) participated in the underta:in+s of the part)9 and - 6ailure to prove that its five no-inees are bona fide -e-bers.

Resol4 ion !$ e! 7 No@e1"er 2012'( 1* *2'*(4 (*-*2* .PLM/ Philippine Coconut Producers 6ederation, #nc. .C$C$6E"/ Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - %he part) is affiliated <ith private and +overn-ent a+encies and is not -ar+inali,ed9 - %he part) is assisted b) the +overn-ent in various proBects9 and - %he no-inees are not -e-bers of the -ar+inali,ed sector of coconut far-ers and producers.

Resol4 ion !$ e! 7 No@e1"er 2012'*

11 *2'**2

(*-*17 .PLM/

Aban+ Lin+:od Part)-List .ABANC L#NC>$"/

Cancelled re+istration - 6ailure to establish a trac: record of continuousl) representin+ the peasant far-ers sector9 - 6ailure to sho< that its -e-bers actuall) belon+ to the peasant far-ers sector9 and - 6ailure to sho< that its no-inees are -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented, have activel) participated in pro+ra-s for the advance-ent of far-ers, and adhere to its advocacies.

Resol4 ion !$ e! 19 No@e1"er 2012'1 1' *2'(&7 (*-(&7 .PLM/ Action Brotherhood for Active "rea-ers, #nc. .ABR$A"/ Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - 6ailure to sho< that the part) is actuall) able to represent all of the sectors it clai-s to represent9 - 6ailure to sho< a co-plete trac: record of its activities since its re+istration9 and - %he no-inees are not part of an) of the sectors <hich the part) see:s to represent.

Resol4 ion !$ e! 2& No@e1"er 2012'' 1& *2'13' (*-**7 .PLM/ Binhi-Partido n+ -+a Ma+sasa:a Para sa -+a Ma+sasa:a .B#N;#/ Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - %he part) receives assistance fro- the +overn-ent throu+h the "epart-ent of A+riculture9 and - 6ailure to prove that the +roup is -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented.

Resol4 ion !$ e! 2& No@e1"er 2012'& 14 *2'1&4 (*-(14 .PLM/ Butil 6ar-ers Part) .B?%#L/ Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - 6ailure to establish that the a+riculture and cooperative sectors are -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented9 and - %he part)As no-inees neither appear to belon+ to the sectors the) see: to

represent, nor to have activel) participated in the underta:in+s of the part). Resol4 ion !$ e! 3 3e2e1"er 2012'4 13 *2''74 (*-(5' .PLM/ (st >abali:at n+ Ba)an Cinha<an+ an+:atauhan .(st >ABAC# / Cancelled re+istration and accreditation - "eclaration of untruthful state-ents9 - 6ailure to exist for at least one )ear9 and - None of its no-inees belon+ to the labor, fisherfol:, and urban poor indi+enous cultural co--unities sectors <hich it see:s to represent.

Resol4 ion !$ e! 9 3e2e1"er 2012'3 17 *2''(2 (*-(57 .PLM/ (-?nited %ransport >oalis)on .(-?%A>/ Cancelled accreditation - %he part) represents drivers and operators, <ho -a) have conflictin+ interests9 and - %he part)As no-inees do not belon+ to an) -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented sector.

Resol4 ion !$ e! 9 3e2e1"er 2012'7 15 *2''*(, *2''*& (*-(&3 .PLM/, (*-(5( .PLM/ Coalition of enior Citi,ens in the Philippines, #nc. . EN#$R C#%#IEN / Cancelled re+istration - %he part) violated election la<s because its no-inees had a ter--sharin+ a+ree-ent.

%hese 15 petitioners .A>B, Aton+ Pa+lau-, ARAL, ARC, ?N#MA", (BR$-PCB#, (CANAPDC?AR"#AN , A BLE E" Part)-List, (-CARE, APEC, A%, ARAR$, ACR#, A>MA-P%M, >AP, A>$-BA;AG, BAN%AG, PACGA@, PA ANC MA "A, >A>? A, AC, ANA", CREEN6$RCE, 6#RM *'->, AL#M, AAMA, MAR%, ABP, BAGAN#, AAN#, A-#PRA, C$C$6E", ABANC L#NC>$", ABR$A", B#N;#, B?%#L, (st >ABAC# , (-?%A>, EN#$R C#%#IEN / <ere able to secure a -andator) inBunction fro- this Court, directin+ the C$MELEC to include the na-es of these 15 petitioners in the printin+ of the official ballot for the (1 Ma) *2(1 part)-list elections. Petitioners pra)ed for the issuance of a te-porar) restrainin+ order andDor <rit of preli-inar) inBunction. %his Court issued tatus Juo Ante $rders in all petitions. %his "ecision +overns onl) the &' consolidated petitions that <ere +ranted tatus Juo Ante $rders, na-el)= G.R. No. SPP No. Gro4p

Resol4 ion !$ e! 13 No@e1"er 2012 *217(7-(5 (*-(&' .PLM/ A>$ Bicol Political Part) .A>B/

(*-(33 .PLM/ *2157( *2'22* *215** *21542 (*-(73 .PLM/ (*-(77 .PLM/ (*-*2( .PLM/ (*-*42 .PLM/ (*-*'7 .PLM/ (*-2(& .PLM/ (*-*77 .PLM/ Association for Ri+hteousness Advocac) on Leadership .ARAL/ Alliance for Rural Concerns .ARC/ Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives .APEC/ (st Consu-ers Alliance for Rural Ener+), #nc. .(-CARE/ A:s)on Ma+sasa:a-Partido %ini+ n+ Masa .A>MA-P%M/ >apatiran n+ -+a Na:ulon+ na @alan+ ala, #nc. .>A>? A/ Alliance for Rural and A+rarian Reconstruction, #nc. .ARAR$/

*21514 *215&7 *21534

Resol4 ion !$ e! 20 No@e1"er 2012 *2'25' *2'(*& *2'(22 (*-(7& .PLM/ (*-*5* .PLM/ (*-(54 .PLM/ Alliance for Nationalis- and "e-ocrac) .ANA"/ A+apa) n+ #ndi+enous Peoples Ri+hts Alliance, #nc. .A-#PRA/ (-Bro Philippine Cuardians Brotherhood, #nc. .(BR$-PCB#/

Resol4 ion !$ e! 27 No@e1"er 2012 *2'('( (*-**5 .PLM/ (*-*35 .PLM/ (*-*2* .PLM/ (*-(&7 .PLM/ %he %rue Marcos Lo)alist .for Cod, Countr) and People/ Association of the Philippines, #nc. .BAN%AG/ A+ri-A+ra na Repor-a Para sa Ma+sasa:a n+ Pilipinas Move-ent .ACR#/ Philippine Coconut Producers 6ederation, #nc. .C$C$6E"/ Action Brotherhood for Active "rea-er, #nc. .ABR$A"/

*2'*'2 *2'*(4 *2'(&7

Resol4 ions !$ e! 9 3e2e1"er 2012 *2'(** *21344 *2'1(7 (*-**1 .PLM/ (*-(4( .PLM/ (*-**2 ( Cuardians Nationalist Philippines, #nc. .(CANAPDC?AR"#AN / Aton+ Pa+lau-, #nc. .Aton+ Pa+lau-/ ?nited Move-ent A+ainst "ru+s 6oundation

.PLM/ *2'*41 *2'(3' *2'(*4 *2'14' (*-*&3 .PLM/ (*-*1* .PLM/ (*-*41 .PLM/ (*-(72 .PLM/ (*-(*3 .PL/ (*-*17 .PLM/ (*-*&' .PLM/ (*-(31 .PLM/ (*-242 .PLM/ (*-*&* .PLM/ (*-*(2 .PLM/ (*-*45 .PLM/ (*-*2' .PLM/ (*-*3* .PLM/ (*-(14 .PLM/

.?N#MA"/ Blessed 6ederation of 6ar-ers and 6isher-en #nternational, #nc. .A BLE E" Part)-List/ Aan+at %a)o Part)-List Part) .A%/ >aa+apa) n+ Na+:a:aisan+ A+ilan+ Pilipinon+ Ma+sasa:a .>AP/ Adhi:ain at >ilusan n+ $rdinar)on+ %ao Para sa Lupa, Pabaha), ;anapbuha) at >aunlaran .A>$-BA;AG/ Alab n+ Ma-a-aha)a+ .ALAM/ Aban+ Lin+:od Part)-List .ABANC L#NC>$"/ 6ir- *'-> Association, #nc. .6#RM *'->/ Alliance of Bicolnon Part) .ABP/ Creen 6orce for the Environ-ent ons and "au+hters of Mother Earth .CREEN6$RCE/ An+ A+ri:ultura Natin #sulon+ .AAN#/ Ba)ani Part) List .BAGAN#/ Action Lea+ue of #ndi+enous Masses .AL#M/ Alliance of Advocates in Minin+ Advance-ent for National Pro+ress .AAMA/ ocial Move-ent for Active Refor- and %ransparenc) . MAR%/ Butil 6ar-ers Part) .B?%#L/

*2'(15 *2'**2 *2'*14 *2'*17 *2'*15 *2'1*( *2'1*1 *2'1'( *2'1&7 *2'1&5 *2'1&4

Resol4 ion !$ e! 11 3e2e1"er 2012 *2''2* *2'15' (*-24( .PL/ (*-('& .PL/ >ali:asan Part)-List .>AL#>A AN/ Association of Cuard, ?tilit) ;elper, Aider, Rider, "riverD"o-estic ;elper, Eanitor, A+ent and Nann) of the Philippines, #nc. .C?AR"EAN/ Pilipino Association for Countr) H ?rban Poor Gouth Advance-ent and @elfare .PACGA@/ An+ Calin+ Pino) .AC/

*2''27 *2''*7

(*-*(3 .PLM/ (*-*&4

.PLM/ *2''52 *2'135 *2'143 *2''*4 *2''&& *2'13' *2'132 *2''1& *2''74 *2''(2 *2''*(, *2''*& (*-231 .PLM/ (*-255 .PLM/ (*-(2' .PL/ (*-2(( .PLM/ (*-2'( .PLM/ (*-**7 .PLM/ (*-2(( .PP/ (*-2&3 .PLM/ (*-(5' .PLM/ (*-(57 .PLM/ (*-(&3 .PLM/ (*-(5( .PLM/ (*-225 .PP/, (*-(4& .PLM/ (*-(3& .PL/ ((-22* Pilipinas Para sa Pino) .PPP/ Ala+ad n+ inin+ .A #N/ A:ba) >alusu+an .A>#N/ Association of Local Athletics Entrepreneurs and ;obb)ists, #nc. .ALA-E;/ Manila %eachers avin+s and Loan Association, #nc. .Manila %eachers/ Binhi-Partido n+ -+a Ma+sasa:a Para sa -+a Ma+sasa:a .B#N;#/ A:o An Bisa)a .AAB/ ( Alliance Advocatin+ Autono-) Part) .(AAAP/ (st >abali:at n+ Ba)an Cinha<an+ an+:atauhan .(st >ABAC# / (-?nited %ransport >oalis)on .(-?%A>/ Coalition of enior Citi,ens in the Philippines, #nc. . EN#$R C#%#IEN /

*2''14

Ab)an #lon++o Part) .A#/

*2''7& *2''7'

Alliance of $r+ani,ations, Net<or:s and Associations of the Philippines, #nc. .AL$NA/ Partido n+ Ba)an n+ Bida .PBB/

Resol4 ion !$ e! 11 3e2e1"er 2012 *2'(&1 (*-*33 .PLM/ Pasan+ Masda Nation<ide Part) .PA ANC MA "A/ T5e Iss4es @e rule upon t<o issues= first, <hether the C$MELEC co--itted +rave abuse of discretion a-ountin+ to lac: or excess of Burisdiction in dis0ualif)in+ petitioners fro- participatin+ in the (1 Ma) *2(1 part)-list elections, either b) denial of their ne< petitions for re+istration under the part)-list s)ste-, or b) cancellation of their existin+ re+istration and accreditation as part)-list or+ani,ations9 and second, <hether the criteria for participatin+ in the part)-list s)ste- laid do<n in Ang Bagong Bayani and Barangay Association for National Advancement and Transparency v. Commission on

Elections'5 .BANAT/ should be applied b) the C$MELEC in the co-in+ (1 Ma) *2(1 part)-list elections. T5e Co4r 8s R4lin% @e hold that the C$MELEC did not co--it +rave abuse of discretion in follo<in+ prevailin+ decisions of this Court in dis0ualif)in+ petitioners fro- participatin+ in the co-in+ (1 Ma) *2(1 part)-list elections. ;o<ever, since the Court adopts in this "ecision ne< para-eters in the 0ualification of national, re+ional, and sectoral parties under the part)-list s)ste-, thereb) abandonin+ the rulin+s in the decisions applied b) the C$MELEC in dis0ualif)in+ petitioners, <e re-and to the C$MELEC all the present petitions for the C$MELEC to deter-ine <ho are 0ualified to re+ister under the part)-list s)ste-, and to participate in the co-in+ (1 Ma) *2(1 part)-list elections, under the ne< para-eters prescribed in this "ecision. T5e P$r #'Lis S#s e1 %he (573 Constitution provides the basis for the part)-list s)ste- of representation. i-pl) put, the part)-list s)ste- is intended to de-ocrati,e political po<er b) +ivin+ political parties that cannot <in in le+islative district elections a chance to <in seats in the ;ouse of Representatives. &2 %he voter elects t<o representatives in the ;ouse of Representatives= one for his or her le+islative district, and another for his or her part)-list +roup or or+ani,ation of choice. %he (573 Constitution provides= ection &, Article K# .(/ %he ;ouse of Representatives shall be co-posed of not -ore than t<o hundred and fift) -e-bers, unless other<ise fixed b) la<, <ho shall be elected fro- le+islative districts apportioned a-on+ the provinces, cities, and the Metropolitan Manila area in accordance <ith the nu-ber of their respective inhabitants, and on the basis of a unifor- and pro+ressive ratio, and those <ho, as provided b) la<, shall be elected throu+h a part)-list s)ste- of re+istered national, re+ional, and sectoral parties or or+ani,ations. .*/ %he part)-list representatives shall constitute t<ent) per centu- of the total nu-ber of representatives includin+ those under the part) list. 6or three consecutive ter-s after the ratification of this Constitution, one-half of the seats allocated to part)-list representatives shall be filled, as provided b) la<, b) selection or election fro- the labor, peasant, urban poor, indi+enous cultural co--unities, <o-en, )outh, and such other sectors as -a) be provided b) la<, except the reli+ious sector. ections 3 and 7, Article #F-C ec. 3. No votes cast in favor of a political part), or+ani,ation, or coalition shall be valid, except for those re+istered under the part)-list s)ste- as provided in this Constitution. ec. 7. Political parties, or or+ani,ations or coalitions re+istered under the part)-list s)ste-, shall not be represented in the votersA re+istration boards, boards of election inspectors, boards of canvassers, or other si-ilar bodies. ;o<ever, the) shall be entitled to appoint poll <atchers in accordance <ith la<.

Co--issioner Christian . Monsod, the -ain sponsor of the part)-list s)ste-, stressed that 8 5e p$r #'lis s#s e1 is no s#non#1o4s ?i 5

5$ o: 5e se2 or$l represen $ ion.8&( %he constitutional provisions on the part)-list s)ste- should be read in li+ht of the follo<in+ discussion a-on+ its fra-ers=
MR. M$N $"= x x x. # <ould li:e to -a:e a distinction fro- the be+innin+ that the proposal for the part) list s)ste- is not s)non)-ous <ith that of the sectoral representation. Precisel), the part) list s)ste- see:s to avoid the dile--a of choice of sectors and <ho constitute the -e-bers of the sectors. #n -a:in+ the proposal on the part) list s)ste-, <e <ere -ade a<are of the proble-s precisel) cited b) Co--issioner Bacani of <hich sectors <ill have reserved seats. #n effect, a sectoral representation in the Asse-bl) <ould -ean that certain sectors <ould have reserved seats9 that the) <ill choose a-on+ the-selves <ho <ould sit in those reserved seats. And then, <e have the proble- of <hich sector because as <e <ill notice in Procla-ation No. 5, the sectors cited <ere the far-ers, fisher-en, <or:ers, students, professionals, business, -ilitar), acade-ic, ethnic and other si-ilar +roups. o these are the nine sectors that <ere identified here as 8sectoral representatives8 to be represented in this Co--ission. %he proble- <e had in tr)in+ to approach sectoral representation in the Asse-bl) <as <hether to stop at these nine sectors or include other sectors. And <e <ent throu+h the exercise in a caucus of <hich sector should be included <hich <ent up to (' sectors. And as <e all :no<, the lon+er <e -a:e our enu-eration, the -ore li-itin+ the la< beco-e because <hen <e -a:e an enu-eration <e exclude those <ho are not in the enu-eration. econd, <e had the proble- of <ho co-prise the far-ers. Let us Bust sa) the far-ers and the laborers. %hese da)s, there are -an) citi,ens <ho are called 8h)phenated citi,ens.8 A doctor -a) be a far-er9 a la<)er -a) also be a far-er. And so, it is up to the discretion of the person to sa) 8# a- a far-er8 so he <ould be included in that sector. %he third proble- is that <hen <e +o into a reserved seat s)ste- of sectoral representation in the Asse-bl), <e are, in effect, +ivin+ so-e people t<o votes and other people one vote. @e sou+ht to avoid these proble-s b) presentin+ a part) list s)ste-. ?nder the part) list s)ste-, there are no reserved seats for sectors. Let us sa), laborers and far-ers can for- a sectoral part) or a sectoral or+ani,ation that <ill then re+ister and present candidates of their part). ;o< do the -echanics +oL Essentiall), under the part) list s)ste-, ever) voter has t<o votes, so there is no discri-ination. 6irst, he <ill vote for the representative of his le+islative district. %hat is one vote. #n that sa-e ballot, he <ill be as:ed= @hat part) or or+ani,ation or coalition do )ou <ish to be represented in the Asse-bl)L And here <ill be attached a list of the parties, or+ani,ations or coalitions that have been re+istered <ith the C$MELEC and are entitled to be put in that list. T5is 2$n "e $ re%ion$l

p$r #, $ se2 or$l p$r #, $ n$ ion$l p$r #, UNI3O, M$%s$s$>$ or $ re%ion$l p$r # in Min!$n$o. One nee! no "e $ :$r1er o s$# 5$ 5e ?$n s 5e :$r1ersH p$r # o "e represen e! in 5e Asse1"l#. An# 2i iDen 2$n @o e :or $n# p$r #. At the end of the da), the C$MELEC <ill then tabulate
the votes that had been +arnered b) each part) or each or+ani,ation M one does not have to be a political part) and re+ister in order to participate as a part) M and count the votes and fro- there derive the percenta+e of the votes that had been cast in favor of a part), or+ani,ation or coalition. @hen such parties re+ister <ith the C$MELEC, <e are assu-in+ that &2 of the *&2 seats <ill be for the part) list s)ste-. o, <e have a li-it of 12 percent of &2. %hat -eans that the -axi-u- that an) part) can +et out of these &2 seats is (&. @hen the parties re+ister the) then sub-it a list of (& na-es. %he) have to sub-it these na-es because these no-inees have to -eet the -ini-u0ualifications of a Me-ber of the National Asse-bl). At the end of the da), <hen the votes are tabulated, one +ets the percenta+es. Let us sa), ?N#"$ +ets (2 percent or (& percent of the votes9

>M? +ets & percent9 a <o-enAs part) +ets * (D* percent and an)bod) <ho has at least * (D* percent of the vote 0ualifies and the &2 seats are apportioned a-on+ all of these parties <ho +et at least * (D* percent of the vote. @hat does that -eanL #t -eans that an) +roup or part) <ho has a constituenc) of, sa), &22,222 nation<ide +ets a seat in the National Asse-bl). @hat is the Bustification for thatL @hen <e allocate le+islative districts, <e are sa)in+ that an) district that has *22,222 votes +ets a seat. %here is no reason <h) a +roup that has a national constituenc), even if it is a sectoral or special interest +roup, should not have a voice in the National Asse-bl). #t also -eans that, let us sa), there are three or four labor +roups, the) all re+ister as a part) or as a +roup. #f each of the- +ets onl) one percent or five of the- +et one percent, the) are not entitled to an) representative. o, the) <ill be+in to thin: that if the) reall) have a co--on interest, the) should band to+ether, for- a coalition and +et five percent of the vote and, therefore, have t<o seats in the Asse-bl). %hose are the d)na-ics of a part) list s)ste-. @e feel that this approach +ets around the -echanics of sectoral representation <hile at the sa-e ti-e -a:in+ sure that those <ho reall) have a national constituenc) or sectoral constituenc) <ill +et a chance to have a seat in the National Asse-bl). %hese sectors or these +roups -a) not have the constituenc) to <in a seat on a le+islative district basis. %he) -a) not be able to <in a seat on a district basis but surel), the) <ill have votes on a nation<ide basis. %he purpose of this is to open the s)ste-. #n the past elections, <e found out that there <ere certain +roups or parties that, if <e count their votes nation<ide9 have about (,222,222 or (,&22,222 votes. But the) <ere al<a)s third place or fourth place in each of the districts. o, the) have no voice in the Asse-bl). But this <a), the) <ould have five or six representatives in the Asse-bl) even if the) <ould not <in individuall) in le+islative districts. o, that is essentiall) the -echanics, the purpose and obBectives of the part) list s)ste-. B# ;$P BACAN#= Mada- President, a- # ri+ht in interpretin+ that <hen <e spea: no< of part) list s)ste- thou+h <e refer to sectors, <e <ould be referrin+ to sectoral part) list rather than sectors and part) listL MR. M$N $"= As a -atter of fact, if this bod) accepts the part) list s)ste-, <e do not even have to -ention sectors because the sectors <ould be included in the part) list s)ste-. T5e# 2$n "e se2 or$l p$r ies ?i 5in 5e p$r # lis s#s e1. xxxx MR. M$N $". Mada- President, # Bust <ant to sa) that <e su++ested or proposed the part) list s)ste- because <e <anted to open up the political s)ste- to a pluralistic societ) throu+h a -ultipart) s)ste-. x x x 7e $re :or openin% 4p 5e s#s e1, $n! ?e ?o4l! li>e @er# 1425 :or 5e se2 ors o "e 5ere. T5$ is ?5# one o: 5e ?$#s o !o 5$ is o p4 $ 2eilin% on 5e n41"er o: represen $ i@es :ro1 $n# sin%le p$r # 5$ 2$n si ?i 5in 5e 60 $llo2$ e! 4n!er 5e p$r # lis s#s e1. x x x. xxx MR. M$N $". M$!$1 Presi!en , 5e 2$n!i!$2# :or 5e 1(& se$ s is no li1i e! o poli i2$l p$r ies. M# C4es ion is 5isI Are ?e %oin% o 2l$ssi:# :or eG$1ple C5ris i$n 3e1o2r$ s $n! So2i$l 3e1o2r$ s $s poli i2$l p$r iesJ C$n 5e# r4n 4n!er 5e p$r # lis 2on2ep or 14s 5e# "e 4n!er 5e !is ri2 le%isl$ ion si!e o: i onl#J

MR. K#LLAC$R%A. In repl# o 5$ C4er#, I 5in> 5ese p$r ies 5$ 5e Co11issioner 1en ione! 2$n :iel! 2$n!i!$ es :or 5e Sen$ e $s ?ell $s :or 5e /o4se o: Represen $ i@es. Li>e?ise, 5e# 2$n $lso :iel! se2 or$l 2$n!i!$ es :or 5e 20 per2en or 30 per2en , ?5i25e@er is $!op e!, o: 5e se$ s 5$ ?e $re $llo2$ in% 4n!er 5e p$r # lis s#s e1 . MR. M$N $". In o 5er ?or!s, 5e C5ris i$n 3e1o2r$ s 2$n :iel! !is ri2 2$n!i!$ es $n! 2$n $lso p$r i2ip$ e in 5e p$r # lis s#s e1J MR. K#LLAC$R%A. 75# no J 75en 5e# 2o1e o 5e p$r # lis s#s e1, 5e# ?ill "e :iel!in% onl# se2 or$l 2$n!i!$ es. MR. M$N $". M$# I "e 2l$ri:ie! on 5$ J C$n UNI3O p$r i2ip$ e in 5e p$r # lis s#s e1J MR. K#LLAC$R%A. +es, ?5# no J .or $s lon% $s 5e# :iel! 2$n!i!$ es ?5o 2o1e :ro1 5e !i::eren 1$r%in$liDe! se2 ors 5$ ?e s5$ll !esi%n$ e in 5is Cons i 4 ion. MR. M$N $". uppose enator %aNada <ants to run under BAGAN +roup and sa)s that he represents the far-ers, <ould he 0ualif)L MR. K#LLAC$R%A. No, enator %aNada <ould not 0ualif). MR. M$N $". But ?N#"$ can field candidates under the part) list s)ste- and sa) Euan dela Cru, is a far-er. @ho <ould pass on <hether he is a far-er or notL MR. %A"E$. >a) Co--issioner Monsod, +usto :o la-an+ lina<in ito. Poli i2$l p$r ies, p$r i24l$rl# 1inori # poli i2$l p$r ies, $re no pro5i"i e! o p$r i2ip$ e in 5e p$r # lis ele2 ion i: 5e# 2$n pro@e 5$ 5e# $re $lso or%$niDe! $lon% se2 or$l lines. MR. M$N $". @hat the Co--issioner is sa)in+ is that all political parties can participate because it is precisel) the contention of political parties that the) represent the broad base of citi,ens and that all sectors are represented in the-. @ould the Co--issioner a+reeL MR. %A"E$. An+ punto la-an+ na-in, pa+ pina)a+an -o an+ ?N#"$ na isan+ political part), it <ill do-inate the part) list at -a<a<alan+ sa)sa) din )un+ sector. Lala-unin -is-o n+ political parties an+ part) list s)ste-. Custo :o la-an+ bi+)an n+ diin an+ 8reserve.8 ;indi ito reserve seat sa -ar+inali,ed sectors. >un+ titin+nan natin iton+ (57 seats, reserved din ito sa political parties. MR. M$N $". ;indi po reserved i)on :asi an)bod) can run there. But -) 0uestion to Co--issioner Killacorta and probabl) also to Co--issioner %adeo is that under this s)ste-, <ould ?N#"$ be banned fro- runnin+ under the part) list s)ste-L MR. K#LLAC$R%A. No, $s I s$i!, UNI3O 1$# :iel! se2 or$l 2$n!i!$ es. On 5$ 2on!i ion $lone, UNI3O 1$# "e $llo?e! o re%is er :or 5e p$r # lis s#s e1. MR. M$N $". M$# I inC4ire :ro1 Co11issioner T$!eo i: 5e s5$res 5$ $ns?erJ MR. %A"E$. T5e s$1e. MR. K#LLAC$R%A. P4?e!e po $n% UNI3O, pero s$ se2 or$l lines.

MR. M$N $"= ino po an+ -a+sasabi :un+ i)on+ :andidato n+ ?N#"$ a) hindi tala+an+ labor leader or isan+ laborerL ;ali-ba<a, abo+ado ito. MR. %A"E$= #)on+ -echanics. MR. M$N $"= ;indi po -echanics i)on because <e are tr)in+ to solve an inherent proble- of sectoral representation. M) 0uestion is= uppose ?N#"$ fields a labor leader, <ould he 0ualif)L MR. %A"E$= T5e COMELEC 1$# loo> in o 5e r4 5 o: ?5e 5er or no $ poli i2$l p$r # is re$ll# or%$niDe! $lon% $ spe2i:i2 se2 or$l line. I: s425 is @eri:ie! or 2on:ir1e!, 5e poli i2$l p$r # 1$# s4"1i $ lis o: in!i@i!4$ls ?5o $re $2 4$ll# 1e1"ers o: s425 se2 ors. T5e lis s $re o "e p4"lis5e! o %i@e in!i@i!4$ls or or%$niD$ ions "elon%in% o s425 se2 or 5e 25$n2e o presen e@i!en2e 2on r$!i2 in% 2l$i1s o: 1e1"ers5ip in 5e s$i! se2 or or o C4es ion 5e 2l$i1s o: 5e eGis en2e o: s425 se2 or$l or%$niD$ ions or p$r ies. T5is pro2ee!in% s5$ll "e 2on!42 e! "# 5e COMELEC $n! s5$ll "e s411$r# in 25$r$2 er. In o 5er ?or!s, COMELEC !e2isions on 5is 1$ er $re :in$l $n! 4n$ppe$l$"le.&* .E-phasis supplied/

#ndisputabl), the fra-ers of the (573 Constitution intended the part)-list s)ste- to include not onl) sectoral parties but also non-sectoral parties. %he fra-ers intended the sectoral parties to constitute a part, but not the entiret), of the part)-list s)ste-. As eGpl$ine! "# Co11issioner 7il:re!o 0ill$2or $, poli i2$l p$r ies 2$n p$r i2ip$ e in 5e p$r #'lis s#s e1 B.or $s lon% $s 5e# :iel! 2$n!i!$ es ?5o 2o1e :ro1 5e !i::eren 1$r%in$liDe! se2 ors 5$ ?e s5$ll !esi%n$ e in 5is Cons i 4 ion.B&1
#n fact, the fra-ers voted do<n, (5-**, a proposal to reserve per-anent seats to sectoral parties in the ;ouse of Representatives, or alternativel), to reserve the part)-list s)ste- exclusivel) to sectoral parties. As clearl) explained b) Eustice Eose C. Kitu+ in his "issentin+ $pinion in An+ Ba+on+ Ba)ani= %he draft provisions on <hat <as to beco-e Article K#, ection &, subsection .*/, of the (573 Constitution too: off fro- t<o staunch positions M the first headed b) Co--issioner Killacorta, advocatin+ that of the *2 per centu- of the total seats in Con+ress to be allocated to part)-list representatives half <ere to be reserved to appointees fro- the -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented sectors. %he proposal <as opposed b) so-e Co--issioners. Mr. Monsod expressed the difficult) in deli-itin+ the sectors that needed representation. ;e <as of the vie< that reservin+ seats for the -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented sectors <ould stunt their develop-ent into full-pled+ed parties e0uipped <ith electoral -achiner) potent enou+h to further the sectoral interests to be represented. %he Killacorta +roup, on the other hand, <as apprehensive that pittin+ the unor+ani,ed and less-one)ed sectoral +roups in an electoral contest <ould be li:e placin+ babes in the lionOs den, so to spea:, <ith the bi++er and -ore established political parties ulti-atel) +obblin+ the- up. R.A. 35'( reco+ni,ed this concern <hen it banned the first five -aBor political parties on the basis of part) representation in the ;ouse of Representatives fro- participatin+ in the part)-list s)ste- for the first part)-list elections held in (557 .and to be auto-aticall) lifted startin+ <ith the *22( elections/. %he advocates for per-anent seats for sectoral representatives -ade an effort to<ards a co-pro-ise M that the part)-list s)ste- be open onl) to underrepresented and -ar+inali,ed sectors. %his proposal <as further <hittled do<n b) allocatin+ onl) half of the seats under the part)-list s)ste- to candidates fro- the sectors <hich <ould +arner the re0uired nu-ber of votes. %he -aBorit) <as

un)ieldin+. Kotin+ (5-**, the proposal for per-anent seats, and in the alternative the reservation of the part)-list s)ste- to the sectoral +roups, <as voted do<n . T5e onl# 2on2ession 5e

0ill$2or $ %ro4p ?$s $"le o 14s er ?$s $n $ss4r$n2e o: reser@e! se$ s :or sele2 e! se2 ors :or 5ree 2onse24 i@e er1s $: er 5e en$2 1en o: 5e 1(&7 Cons i 4 ion, "# ?5i25 i1e 5e# ?o4l! "e eGpe2 e! o %$ 5er $n! soli!i:# 5eir ele2 or$l "$se $n! "r$2e 5e1sel@es in 5e 14l i'p$r # ele2 or$l 2on es ?i 5 5e 1ore @e er$n poli i2$l %ro4ps.69 .E-phasis supplied/ T54s, in 5e en!, 5e propos$l o %i@e per1$nen reser@e! se$ s o 2er $in se2 ors ?$s o4 @o e!. Ins e$!, 5e reser@$ ion o: se$ s o se2 or$l represen $ i@es ?$s onl# $llo?e! :or 5e :irs 5ree 2onse24 i@e er1s.66 T5ere 2$n "e no !o4" ?5$ soe@er 5$ 5e :r$1ers o: 5e 1(&7 Cons i 4 ion eGpressl# reKe2 e! 5e propos$l o 1$>e 5e p$r #'lis s#s e1 eG2l4si@el# :or se2 or$l p$r ies onl#, $n! 5$ 5e# 2le$rl# in en!e! 5e p$r #'lis s#s e1 o in2l4!e "o 5 se2 or$l $n! non'se2 or$l p$r ies. T5e 2o11on !eno1in$ or "e ?een se2 or$l $n! non'se2 or$l p$r ies is 5$ 5e# 2$nno eGpe2 o ?in in le%isl$ i@e !is ri2 ele2 ions "4 5e# 2$n %$rner, in n$ ion?i!e ele2 ions, $ le$s 5e s$1e n41"er o: @o es 5$ ?innin% 2$n!i!$ es 2$n %$rner in le%isl$ i@e !is ri2 ele2 ions. T5e p$r #'lis s#s e1 ?ill "e 5e en r# poin o 1e1"ers5ip in 5e /o4se o: Represen $ i@es :or "o 5 5ese non' r$!i ion$l p$r ies 5$ 2o4l! no 2o1pe e in le%isl$ i@e !is ri2 ele2 ions.
%he indisputable intent of the fra-ers of the (573 Constitution to include in the part)-list s)ste- both sectoral and non-sectoral parties is 2le$rl# ?ri en in ection &.(/, Article K# of the Constitution, <hich states= ection &. .(/ %he ;ouse of Representative shall be co-posed of not -ore that t<o hundred and fift) -e-bers, unless other<ise fixed b) la<, <ho shall be elected fro- le+islative districts apportioned a-on+ the provinces, cities, and the Metropolitan Manila area in accordance <ith the nu-ber of their respective inhabitants, and on the basis of a unifor- and pro+ressive ratio, and 5ose ?5o, $s pro@i!e! "# l$?, s5$ll "e ele2 e! 5ro4%5 $ p$r #'lis s#s e1 o: re%is ere! n$ ion$l, re%ion$l, $n! se2 or$l p$r ies or or%$niD$ ions . .E-phasis supplied/

Section 5(1), Article ! of t"e Constit#tion is crystal$clear t"at t"ere s"all %e "a party-list system of registered national, regional, and sectoral parties or organizations." T"e commas after t"e &ords 'national,' and 'regional,' separate national and regional parties from sectoral parties. (ad t"e framers of t"e 1)*+ Constit#tion intended national and regional parties to %e at t"e same time sectoral, t"ey &o#ld "ave stated 'national and

regional sectoral parties.' T"ey did not, precisely %eca#se it &as never t"eir intention to ma,e t"e party$list system e-cl#sively sectoral.
@hat the fra-ers intended, and <hat the) expressl) <rote in ection &.(/, could not be an) clearer= the part)-list s)ste- is co-posed of three different +roups, and the sectoral parties belon+ to onl) one of the three +roups. %he text of ection &.(/ leaves no roo- for an) doubt that national and re+ional parties are separate fro- sectoral parties. T54s, 5e p$r #'lis s#s e1 is 2o1pose! o: 5ree !i::eren %ro4psI ,1- n$ ion$l p$r ies or or%$niD$ ionsL ,2- re%ion$l p$r ies or or%$niD$ ionsL $n! ,3- se2 or$l p$r ies or or%$niD$ ions. N$ ion$l $n! re%ion$l p$r ies or or%$niD$ ions $re !i::eren :ro1 se2 or$l p$r ies or or%$niD$ ions. N$ ion$l $n! re%ion$l p$r ies or or%$niD$ ions nee! no "e or%$niDe! $lon% se2 or$l lines $n! nee! no represen $n# p$r i24l$r se2 or. Moreover, ection &.*/, Article K# of the (573 Constitution -andates that, durin+ the first three consecutive ter-s of Con+ress after the ratification of the (573 Constitution, 8one-half of the seats allocated to part)-list representatives shall be filled, as provided b) la<, b) selection or election frothe labor, peasant, urban poor, indi+enous cultural co--unities, <o-en, )outh, and such other sectors as -a) be provided b) la<, except the reli+ious sector.8 T"is provision clearly s"o&s again t"at t"e party$list system is not e-cl#sively for sectoral parties for t&o o%vio#s reasons. .irst, t"e ot"er one$"alf of t"e seats allocated to party$list representatives &o#ld nat#rally %e open to non$sectoral party$list representatives, clearly negating t"e idea t"at t"e party$list system is e-cl#sively for sectoral parties representing t"e 'marginali/ed and #nderrepresented.' Second, t"e reservation of one$"alf of t"e party$list seats to sectoral parties applies only for t"e first 't"ree consec#tive terms after t"e ratification of t"is Constit#tion,' clearly ma,ing t"e party$list system f#lly open after t"e end of t"e first t"ree congressional terms. T"is means t"at, after t"is period, t"ere &ill %e no seats reserved for any class or type of party t"at 0#alifies #nder t"e t"ree gro#ps constit#ting t"e party$list system. /en2e, 5e 2le$r in en , eGpress ?or!in%, $n! p$r #'lis s r42 4re or!$ine! in Se2 ion 6,1- $n! ,2-, Ar i2le 0I o: 5e 1(&7 Cons i 4 ion 2$nno "e !isp4 e!I 5e p$r #'lis s#s e1 is no :or se2 or$l p$r ies onl#, "4 $lso :or non'se2 or$l p$r ies. Republic Act No. 35'( or the Part)-List )ste- Act, <hich is the la< that i-ple-ents the part)-list s)ste- prescribed in the Constitution, provides= ection 1. "efinition of %er-s. .a/ %he part)-list s)ste- is a -echanis- of proportional representation in the election of representatives to the ;ouse of Representatives fro- national, re+ional and sectoral parties or or+ani,ations or coalitions thereof re+istered <ith the Co--ission on Elections .C$MELEC/. Co-ponent parties or or+ani,ations of a coalition -a) participate independentl) provided the coalition of <hich the) for- part does not participate in the part)-list s)ste-. .b/ A p$r # 1e$ns ei 5er $ poli i2$l p$r # or $ se2 or$l p$r # or $ 2o$li ion o: p$r ies. .c/ A poli i2$l p$r # re:ers o $n or%$niDe! %ro4p o: 2i iDens $!@o2$ in% $n i!eolo%# or pl$ :or1, prin2iples $n! poli2ies :or 5e %ener$l 2on!42 o: %o@ern1en $n! ?5i25, $s 5e 1os i11e!i$ e 1e$ns o: se24rin% 5eir $!op ion, re%4l$rl# no1in$ es $n! s4ppor s 2er $in o: i s le$!ers $n! 1e1"ers $s 2$n!i!$ es :or p4"li2 o::i2e.

#t is a national part) <hen its constituenc) is spread over the +eo+raphical territor) of at least a -aBorit) of the re+ions. #t is a re+ional part) <hen its constituenc) is spread over the +eo+raphical territor) of at least a -aBorit) of the cities and provinces co-prisin+ the re+ion. .d/ A se2 or$l p$r # re:ers o $n or%$niDe! %ro4p o: 2i iDens "elon%in% o $n# o: 5e se2 ors en41er$ e! in Se2 ion 6 5ereo: ?5ose prin2ip$l $!@o2$2# per $ins o 5e spe2i$l in eres $n! 2on2erns o: 5eir se2 or. .e/ A sectoral or+ani,ation refers to a +roup of citi,ens or a coalition of +roups of citi,ens <ho share si-ilar ph)sical attributes or characteristics, e-plo)-ent, interests or concerns. .f/ A coalition refers to an a++rupation of dul) re+istered national, re+ional, sectoral parties or or+ani,ations for political andDor election purposes. .E-phasis supplied/ ection 1.a/ of R.A. No. 35'( defines a 8part)8 as Bei 5er $ poli i2$l p$r # or $ se2 or$l p$r # or a coalition of parties.8 Clearl), a political part) is different fro- a sectoral part). ection 1.c/ of R.A. No. 35'( further provides that a Bpoli i2$l p$r # refers to an or%$niDe! %ro4p o: 2i iDens $!@o2$ in% $n i!eolo%# or pl$ :or1, prin2iples $n! poli2ies :or 5e %ener$l 2on!42 o: %o@ern1en .B $n the other hand, ection 1.d/ of R.A. No. 35'( provides that a 8 se2 or$l p$r # refers to an or+ani,ed +roup of citi,ens belon+in+ to an) of the sectors enu-erated in ection & hereof ?5ose prin2ip$l $!@o2$2# per $ins o 5e spe2i$l in eres $n! 2on2erns o: 5eir se2 or.B R.A. No. 35'( provides different definitions for a political and a sectoral part). $bviousl), the) are separate and distinct fro- each other. R.A. No. 7(91 !oes no reC4ire n$ ion$l $n! re%ion$l p$r ies or or%$niD$ ions o represen 5e B1$r%in$liDe! $n! 4n!errepresen e!B se2 ors. %o re0uire all national and re+ional parties under the part)-list s)ste- to represent the 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 is to deprive and exclude, b) Budicial fiat, ideolo+)-based and cause-oriented parties fro- the part)-list s)ste-. ;o< <ill these ideolo+)-based and cause-oriented parties, <ho cannot <in in le+islative district elections, participate in the electoral process if the) are excluded fro- the part)-list s)ste-L %o exclude thefro- the part)-list s)ste- is to prevent the- fro- Boinin+ the parlia-entar) stru++le, leavin+ as their onl) option the ar-ed stru++le. %o exclude the- fro- the part)-list s)ste- is, apart fro- bein+ obviousl) senseless, patentl) contrar) to the clear intent and express <ordin+ of the (573 Constitution and R.A. No. 35'(. 1nder t"e party$list system, an ideology$%ased or ca#se$oriented political party is clearly different from a sectoral party. A political party need not %e organi/ed as a sectoral party and need not represent any partic#lar sector. T"ere is no re0#irement in 2.A. No. +)31 t"at a national or regional political party m#st represent a 'marginali/ed and #nderrepresented' sector. !t is s#fficient t"at t"e political party consists of citi/ens &"o advocate t"e same ideology or platform, or t"e same governance principles and policies, regardless of their economic status as citizens. ection & of R.A. No. 35'( states that 8the sectors shall include labor, peasant, fisherfol:, urban poor, indi+enous cultural co--unities, el!erl#, handicapped, ?o1en, #o4 5, veterans, overseas <or:ers, and pro:ession$ls.B&4%he sectors -entioned in ection & are not all necessaril) 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented.8 6or sure, 8professionals8 are not b) definition 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented,8 not even the elderl), <o-en, and the )outh. ;o<ever, professionals, the elderl), <o-en, and the )outh -a) 8lac: <ell-defined political constituencies,8 and can thus or+ani,e the-selves into sectoral parties in advocac) of the special interests and concerns of their respective sectors.

Se2 ion 6 o: R.A. No. 7(91 pro@i!es $no 5er 2o1pellin% re$son :or 5ol!in% 5$ 5e l$? !oes no reC4ire n$ ion$l or re%ion$l p$r ies, $s ?ell $s 2er $in se2 or$l p$r ies in Se2 ion 6 o: R.A. No. 7(91, o represen 5e B1$r%in$liDe! $n! 4n!errepresen e! .8 ection 4 provides the
+rounds for the C$MELEC to refuse or cancel the re+istration of parties or or+ani,ations after due notice and hearin+. ection 4. Refusal andDor Cancellation of Re+istration. M %he C$MELEC -a), -otu proprio or upon verified co-plaint of an) interested part), refuse or cancel, after due notice and hearin+, the re+istration of an) national, re+ional or sectoral part), or+ani,ation or coalition on an) of the follo<in+ +rounds= .(/ #t is a reli+ious sect or deno-ination, or+ani,ation or association or+ani,ed for reli+ious purposes9 .*/ #t advocates violence or unla<ful -eans to see: its +oal9 .1/ #t is a forei+n part) or or+ani,ation9 .'/ #t is receivin+ support fro- an) forei+n +overn-ent, forei+n political part), foundation, or+ani,ation, <hether directl) or throu+h an) of its officers or -e-bers or indirectl) throu+h third parties for partisan election purposes9 .&/ #t violates or fails to co-pl) <ith la<s, rules or re+ulations relatin+ to elections9 .4/ #t declares untruthful state-ents in its petition9 .3/ #t has ceased to exist for at least one .(/ )ear9 or .7/ #t fails to participate in the last t<o .*/ precedin+ elections or fails to obtain at least t<o per centu- .*P/ of the votes cast under the part)-list s)ste- in the t<o .*/ precedin+ elections for the constituenc) in <hich it has re+istered.

None o: 5e & %ro4n!s o re:4se or 2$n2el re%is r$ ion re:ers o non' represen $ ion o: 5e B1$r%in$liDe! $n! 4n!errepresen e!.B
%he phrase B1$r%in$liDe! $n! 4n!errepresen e!B appears onl) once in R.A. No. 35'(, in ection * on "eclaration of Polic).&3 ection * see:s 8to pro-ote proportional representation in the election of representatives to the ;ouse of Representatives throu+h the part)-list s)ste-,8 <hich <ill enable 6ilipinos belon+in+ to theB1$r%in$liDe! $n! 4n!errepresen e! se2 ors, or%$niD$ ions $n! p$r ies, $n! ?5o l$2> ?ell'!e:ine! poli i2$l 2ons i 4en2ies,B to beco-e -e-bers of the ;ouse of Representatives. @hile the polic) declaration in ection * of R.A. No. 35'( broadl) refers to 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented sectors, or+ani,ations and parties,8 the specific i-ple-entin+ provisions of R.A. No. 35'( do not define or re0uire that the sectors, or+ani,ations or parties -ust be 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented.8 $n the contrar), to even interpret that all the sectors -entioned in ection & are 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 <ould lead to absurdities.

;o< then should <e har-oni,e the broad polic) declaration in ection * of R.A. No. 35'( <ith its specific i-ple-entin+ provisions, bearin+ in -ind the applicable provisions of the (573 Constitution on the -atterL %he phrase B1$r%in$liDe! $n! 4n!errepresen e!B should re:er onl# o 5e se2 ors in Se2 ion 6 5$ $re,by their nature, e2ono1i2$ll# B1$r%in$liDe! $n! 4n!errepresen e!.B %hese sectors are= labor, peasant, fisherfol:, urban poor, indi+enous cultural co--unities, handicapped, veterans, overseas <or:ers, and other si-ilar sectors. .or 5ese se2 ors, $ 1$Kori # o: 5e 1e1"ers o: 5e se2 or$l p$r # 14s "elon% o 5e B1$r%in$liDe! $n! 4n!errepresen e!.B T5e no1inees o: 5e se2 or$l p$r # ei 5er 14s "elon% o 5e se2 or, or 14s 5$@e $ r$2> re2or! o: $!@o2$2# :or 5e se2 or represen e!. Belon+in+ to the 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 sector does not -ean one -ust 8<allo< in povert), destitution or infir-it).8 #t is sufficient that one, or his or her sector, is belo< the -iddle class. More specificall), the econo-icall) 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 are those <ho fall in the lo< inco-e +roup as classified b) the National tatistical Coordination Board.&7 %he reco+nition that national and re+ional parties, as <ell as sectoral parties of professionals, the elderl), <o-en and the )outh, need not be 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 <ill allo< s-all ideolo+)-based and cause-oriented parties <ho lac: 8<ell-defined political constituencies8 a chance to <in seats in the ;ouse of Representatives. $n the other hand, li-itin+ to the 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 the se2 or$l parties for labor, peasant, fisherfol:, urban poor, indi+enous cultural co--unities, handicapped, veterans, overseas <or:ers, and other sectors that b) their nature are econo-icall) at the -ar+ins of societ), <ill +ive the 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 an opportunit) to li:e<ise <in seats in the ;ouse of Representatives. %his interpretation <ill har-oni,e the (573 Constitution and R.A. No. 35'( and <ill +ive rise to a -ulti-part) s)ste- <here those 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented,8 both in economic and ideological status, <ill have the opportunit) to send their o<n -e-bers to the ;ouse of Representatives. %his interpretation <ill also -a:e the part)-list s)ste- honest and transparent, eli-inatin+ the need for relativel) <ell-off part)-list representatives to -as0uerade as 8<allo<in+ in povert), destitution and infir-it),8 even as the) attend sessions in Con+ress ridin+ in ?Ks.

T5e 1$Kor poli i2$l p$r ies $re 5ose 5$ :iel! 2$n!i!$ es in 5e le%isl$ i@e !is ri2 ele2 ions. M$Kor poli i2$l p$r ies 2$nno p$r i2ip$ e in 5e p$r #'lis ele2 ions sin2e 5e# nei 5er l$2> B?ell'!e:ine! poli i2$l 2ons i 4en2iesB nor represen B1$r%in$liDe! $n! 4n!errepresen e!B se2 ors. T54s, 5e n$ ion$l or re%ion$l p$r ies 4n!er 5e p$r #'lis s#s e1 $re ne2ess$ril# 5ose 5$ !o no "elon% o 1$Kor poli i2$l p$r ies. T5is $4 o1$ i2$ll# reser@es 5e n$ ion$l $n! re%ion$l p$r ies 4n!er 5e p$r #'lis s#s e1 o 5ose ?5o Bl$2> ?ell'!e:ine! poli i2$l 2ons i 4en2ies,B %i@in% 5e1 5e oppor 4ni # o 5$@e 1e1"ers in 5e /o4se o: Represen $ i@es.
%o recall, An+ Ba+on+ Ba)ani expressl) declared, in its second +uideline for the accreditation of parties under the part)-list s)ste-, that 8<hile even -aBor political parties are expressl) allo<ed b) RA 35'( and the Constitution to participate in the part)-list s)ste-, the) -ust co-pl) <ith the declared statutor) polic) of enablin+ Q6ilipino citi,ens belon+in+ to -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented sectors xxx to be elected to the ;ouse of Representatives.A 8;o<ever, the re0uire-ent in An+ Ba+on+ Ba)ani, in its second +uideline, that 8the political part) xxx -ust

represent the -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented,8 auto-aticall) dis0ualified -aBor political parties fro- participatin+ in the part)-list s)ste-. %his in5eren in2onsis en2# in An+ Ba+on+ Ba)ani has been co-pounded b) the C$MELECAs refusal to re+ister sectoral <in+s officiall) or+ani,ed b) -aBor political parties. BANA% -erel) for-ali,ed the prevailin+ practice <hen it eGpressl# pro5i"i e! -aBor political parties fro- participatin+ in the part)-list s)ste-, even throu+h their sectoral <in+s. ection (( of R.A. No. 35'( expressl) prohibited the B:irs :i@e ,6- 1$Kor poli i2$l p$r ies on the basis of part) representation in the ;ouse of Representatives at the start of the %enth Con+ress8 fro- participatin+ in the Ma) (577 part)-list elections. &5 T54s, 1$Kor poli i2$l p$r ies 2$n p$r i2ip$ e in s4"seC4en p$r #'lis ele2 ions sin2e 5e pro5i"i ion is eGpressl# li1i e! onl# o 5e 1(&& p$r #'lis ele2 ions. ;o<ever, -aBor political parties should participate in part)-list elections onl) throu+h their sectoral <in+s. %he participation of -aBor political parties throu+h their sectoral <in+s, a -aBorit) of <hose -e-bers are 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 or lac:in+ in 8<ell-defined political constituencies,8 <ill facilitate the entr) of the 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 and those <ho 8lac: <ell-defined political constituencies8 as -e-bers of the ;ouse of Representatives. %he (573 Constitution and R.A. No. 35'( allo< -aBor political parties to participate in part)-list elections so as to encoura+e the- to <or: assiduousl) in extendin+ their constituencies to the 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 and to those <ho 8lac: <ell-defined political constituencies.8 %he participation of -aBor political parties in part)-list elections -ust be +eared to<ards the entr), as -e-bers of the ;ouse of Representatives, of the 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 and those <ho 8lac: <ell-defined political constituencies,8 +ivin+ the- a voice in la<--a:in+. T54s, o

p$r i2ip$ e in p$r #'lis ele2 ions, $ 1$Kor poli i2$l p$r # 5$ :iel!s 2$n!i!$ es in 5e le%isl$ i@e !is ri2 ele2 ions 14s or%$niDe $ se2 or$l ?in%, li>e $ l$"or, pe$s$n , :is5er:ol>, 4r"$n poor, pro:ession$l, ?o1en or #o4 5 ?in%, 5$ 2$n re%is er 4n!er 5e p$r #' lis s#s e1. S425 se2 or$l ?in% o: $ 1$Kor poli i2$l p$r # 14s 5$@e i s o?n 2ons i 4 ion, "#'l$?s, pl$ :or1 or pro%r$1 o: %o@ern1en , o::i2ers $n! 1e1"ers, $ 1$Kori # o: ?5o1 14s "elon% o 5e se2 or represen e!. T5e se2 or$l ?in% is in i sel: $n in!epen!en se2 or$l p$r #, $n! is lin>e! o $ 1$Kor poli i2$l p$r # 5ro4%5 $ 2o$li ion. T5is lin>$%e is $llo?e! "# Se2 ion 3 o: R.A. No. 7(91, ?5i25 pro@i!es 5$ B2o1ponen p$r ies or or%$niD$ ions o: $ 2o$li ion 1$# p$r i2ip$ e in!epen!en l# ,in p$r #'lis ele2 ions- pro@i!e! 5e 2o$li ion o: ?5i25 5e# :or1 p$r !oes no p$r i2ip$ e in 5e p$r #'lis s#s e1.B
ection 5 of R.A. No. 35'( prescribes the 0ualifications of part)-list no-inees. %his provision prescribes a special 0ualification onl) for the no-inee fro- the )outh sector. ection 5. Jualifications of Part)-List No-inees. No person shall be no-inated as part)-list representative unless he is a natural-born citi,en of the Philippines, a re+istered voter, a resident of the Philippines for a period of not less than one .(/ )ear i--ediatel) precedin+ the da) of the election, able to read and <rite, a bona fide -e-ber of the part) or or+ani,ation <hich he see:s to

represent for at least ninet) .52/ da)s precedin+ the da) of the election, and is at least t<ent)-five .*&/ )ears of a+e on the da) of the election. #n case of a no-inee of the )outh sector, he -ust at least be t<ent)-five .*&/ but not -ore than thirt) .12/ )ears of a+e on the da) of the election. An) )outh sectoral representative <ho attains the a+e of thirt) .12/ durin+ his ter- shall be allo<ed to continue in office until the expiration of his ter-.
14&p"i1

A part)-list no-inee -ust be a bona fide -e-ber of the part) or or+ani,ation <hich he or she see:s to represent.In 5e 2$se o: se2 or$l p$r ies, o "e $ "on$ :i!e p$r #'lis no1inee one 14s ei 5er "elon% o 5e se2 or represen e!, or 5$@e $ r$2> re2or! o: $!@o2$2# :or s425 se2 or. #n dis0ualif)in+ petitioners, the C$MELEC used the criteria prescribed in An+ Ba+on+ Ba)ani and BANA%. An+ Ba+on+ Ba)ani laid do<n the +uidelines for 0ualif)in+ those <ho desire to participate in the part)-list s)ste-= First, 5e poli i2$l p$r #, se2 or, or%$niD$ ion or 2o$li ion 14s represen 5e 1$r%in$liDe! $n! 4n!errepresen e! %ro4ps i!en i:ie! in Se2 ion 6 o: RA 7(91. x x x Second, <hile even -aBor political parties are expressl) allo<ed b) RA 35'( and the Constitution to participate in the part)-list s)ste-, the) -ust co-pl) <ith the declared statutor) polic) of enablin+ 86ilipino citi,ens belon+in+ to -ar+inali,ed and underrepresented sectors x x x to be elected to the ;ouse of Representatives.8 x x x. xxxx %hird, x x x the reli+ious sector -a) not be represented in the part)-list s)ste-. x x x. xxxx 6ourth, a part) or an or+ani,ation -ust not be dis0ualified under ection 4 of RA 35'(, <hich enu-erates the +rounds for dis0ualification as follo<s= 8.(/ #t is a reli+ious sect or deno-ination, or+ani,ation or association, or+ani,ed for reli+ious purposes9 .*/ #t advocates violence or unla<ful -eans to see: its +oal9 .1/ #t is a forei+n part) or or+ani,ation9 .'/ #t is receivin+ support fro- an) forei+n +overn-ent, forei+n political part), foundation, or+ani,ation, <hether directl) or throu+h an) of its officers or -e-bers or indirectl) throu+h third parties for partisan election purposes9 .&/ #t violates or fails to co-pl) <ith la<s, rules or re+ulations relatin+ to elections9 .4/ #t declares untruthful state-ents in its petition9 .3/ #t has ceased to exist for at least one .(/ )ear9 or

.7/ #t fails to participate in the last t<o .*/ precedin+ elections or fails to obtain at least t<o per centu- .*P/ of the votes cast under the part)-list s)ste- in the t<o .*/ precedin+ elections for the constituenc) in <hich it has re+istered.8 6ifth, the part) or or+ani,ation -ust not be an adBunct of, or a proBect or+ani,ed or an entit) funded or assisted b), the +overn-ent. x x x. xxxx Si-t", the part) -ust not onl) co-pl) <ith the re0uire-ents of the la<9 its no-inees -ust li:e<ise do so. ection 5 of RA 35'( reads as follo<s= 8 EC 5. 5#alifications of 6arty$7ist Nominees. - No person shall be no-inated as part)-list representative unless he is a natural-born citi,en of the Philippines, a re+istered voter, a resident of the Philippines for a period of not less than one .(/)ear i--ediatel) precedin+ the da) of the election, able to read and <rite, a %ona fide -e-ber of the part) or or+ani,ation <hich he see:s to represent for at least ninet) .52/ da)s precedin+ the da) of the election, and is at least t<ent)-five .*&/ )ears of a+e on the da) of the election. #n case of a no-inee of the )outh sector, he -ust at least be t<ent)-five .*&/ but not -ore than thirt) .12/ )ears of a+e on the da) of the election. An) )outh sectoral representative <ho attains the a+e of thirt) .12/ durin+ his ter- shall be allo<ed to continue in office until the expiration of his ter-.8 Seventh, no onl# 5e 2$n!i!$ e p$r # or or%$niD$ ion 14s represen 1$r%in$liDe! $n! 4n!errepresen e! se2 orsL so $lso 14s i s no1inees. x x x. Ei+hth, x x x the no-inee -ust li:e<ise be able to contribute to the for-ulation and enact-ent of appropriate le+islation that <ill benefit the nation as a <hole. .E-phasis supplied/ #n *225, b) a vote of 7-3 in BANA%, this Court stretched the Ang Bagong Bayani rulin+ further. #n BANA%, the -aBorit) officiall) excluded -aBor political parties fro- participatin+ in part)-list elections,42 abandonin+ even the lip-service that Ang Bagong Bayani accorded to the (573 Constitution and R.A.No. 35'( that -aBor political parties can participate in part)-list elections. %he -inorit) in BANA%, ho<ever, believed that -aBor political parties can participate in the part)-list s)ste- throu+h their sectoral <in+s. %he -inorit) expressed that 8ReSxcludin+ the -aBor political parties in part)-list elections is -anifestl) a+ainst the Constitution, the intent of the Constitutional Co--ission, and R.A. No. 35'(. %his Court cannot en+a+e in socio-political en+ineerin+ and Budiciall) le+islate the exclusion of -aBor political parties fro- the part)-list elections in patent violation of the Constitution and the la<.84( %he experi-entations in socio-political en+ineerin+ have onl) resulted in confusion and absurdit) in the part)-list s)ste-. uch experi-entations, in clear contravention of the (573 Constitution and R.A. No. 35'(, -ust no< co-e to an end. @e cannot, ho<ever, fault the C$MELEC for follo<in+ prevailin+ Burisprudence in dis0ualif)in+ petitioners. #n follo<in+ prevailin+ Burisprudence, the C$MELEC could not have co--itted +rave abuse of discretion. ;o<ever, for the co-in+ (1 Ma) *2(1 part)-list elections, <e -ust no< i-pose and -andate the part)-list s)ste- $2 4$ll# en@isione! $n! $4 5oriDe! under the (573 Constitution and R.A. No. 35'(. #n BANA%, this Court devised a ne< for-ula in the allocation of part)-list seats, reversin+ the C$MELECOs allocation <hich follo<ed the then prevailin+ for-ula in An+ Ba+on+ Ba)ani. #n BANAT, ho<ever, the Court did not declare that the C$MELEC co--itted +rave abuse of discretion. i-ilarl), even as <e ac:no<led+e here that the C$MELEC did

not co--it +rave abuse of discretion, <e declare that it <ould not be in accord <ith the (573 Constitution and R.A. No. 35'( to appl) the criteria in Ang Bagong Bayani and BANA% in deter-inin+ <ho are 0ualified to participate in 5e 2o1in% 13 M$# 2013 p$r #'lis ele2 ions. 6or this purpose,
<e suspend our rule4* that a part) -a) appeal to this Court fro- decisions or orders of the C$MELEC onl) if the C$MELEC co--itted +rave abuse of discretion. %hus, <e re-and all the present petitions to the C$MELEC. #n deter-inin+ <ho -a) participate in the co-in+ (1 Ma) *2(1 and subse0uent part)-list elections, the C$MELEC shall adhere to the follo<in+ para-eters= (. %hree different +roups -a) participate in the part)-list s)ste-= .(/ national parties or or+ani,ations, .*/ re+ional parties or or+ani,ations, and .1/ sectoral parties or or+ani,ations. *. National parties or or+ani,ations and re+ional parties or or+ani,ations do not need to or+ani,e alon+ sectoral lines and do not need to represent an) 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 sector. 1. Political parties can participate in part)-list elections provided the) re+ister under the part)-list s)ste- and do not field candidates in le+islative district elections. A political part), <hether -aBor or not, that fields candidates in le+islative district elections can participate in part)-list elections onl) throu+h its sectoral <in+ that can separatel) re+ister under the part)list s)ste-. %he sectoral <in+ is b) itself an independent sectoral part), and is lin:ed to a political part) throu+h a coalition. '. ectoral parties or or+ani,ations -a) either be 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 or lac:in+ in 8<ell-defined political constituencies.8 #t is enou+h that their principal advocac) pertains to the special interest and concerns of their sector. %he sectors that are 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 include labor, peasant, fisherfol:, urban poor, indi+enous cultural co--unities, handicapped, veterans, and overseas <or:ers. %he sectors that lac: 8<ell-defined political constituencies8 include professionals, the elderl), <o-en, and the )outh. &. A -aBorit) of the -e-bers of sectoral parties or or+ani,ations that represent the 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 -ust belon+ to the 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 sector the) represent. i-ilarl), a -aBorit) of the -e-bers of sectoral parties or or+ani,ations that lac: 8<ell-defined political constituencies8 -ust belon+ to the sector the) represent. %he no-inees of sectoral parties or or+ani,ations that represent the 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented,8 or that represent those <ho lac: 8<ell-defined political constituencies,8 either -ust belon+ to their respective sectors, or -ust have a trac: record of advocac) for their respective sectors. %he no-inees of national and re+ional parties or or+ani,ations -ust be bona-fide -e-bers of such parties or or+ani,ations. 4. National, re+ional, and sectoral parties or or+ani,ations shall not be dis0ualified if so-e of their no-inees are dis0ualified, provided that the) have at least one no-inee <ho re-ains 0ualified. %he C$MELEC excluded fro- participatin+ in the (1 Ma) *2(1 part)-list elections those that did not satisf) these t<o criteria= .(/ all national, re+ional, and sectoral +roups or or+ani,ations -ust represent the 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 sectors, and .*/ all no-inees -ust belon+ to the

8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented8 sector the) represent. Petitioners -a) have been dis0ualified b) the C$MELEC because as political or re+ional parties the) are not or+ani,ed alon+ sectoral lines and do not represent the 8-ar+inali,ed and underrepresented.8 Also, petitionersO no-inees <ho do not belon+ to the sectors the) represent -a) have been dis0ualified, althou+h the) -a) have a trac: record of advocac) for their sectors. Li:e<ise, no-inees of non-sectoral parties -a) have been dis0ualified because the) do not belon+ to an) sector. Moreover, a part) -a) have been dis0ualified because one or -ore of its no-inees failed to 0ualif), even if the part) has at least one re-ainin+ 0ualified no-inee. As discussed above, the dis0ualification of petitioners, and their no-inees, under such circu-stances is contrar) to the (573 Constitution and R.A. No. 35'(. %his Court is s<orn to uphold the (573 Constitution, appl) its provisions faithfull), and desist froen+a+in+ in socio-econo-ic or political experi-entations contrar) to <hat the Constitution has ordained. Eudicial po<er does not include the po<er to re-<rite the Constitution. %hus, the present petitions should be re-anded to the C$MELEC not because the C$MELEC co--itted +rave abuse of discretion in dis0ualif)in+ petitioners, but because petitioners -a) no< possibl) 0ualif) to participate in the co-in+ (1 Ma) *2(1 part)-list elections under the ne< para-eters prescribed b) this Court. @;ERE6$RE, all the present &' petitions are CRAN%E". %he (1 petitions, <hich have been +ranted tatus Juo Ante $rders but <ithout -andator) inBunction to include the na-es of petitioners in the printin+ of ballots, are re-anded to the Co--ission on Elections onl) for deter-ination <hether petitioners are 0ualified to re+ister under the part)-list s)ste- under the para-eters prescribed in this "ecision but the) shall not participate in the (1 Ma) *2(1 part-list elections. %he '( petitions, <hich have been +ranted -andator) inBunctions to include the na-es of petitioners in the printin+ of ballots, are re-anded to the Co--ission on Elections for deter-ination <hether petitioners are 0ualified to re+ister under the part)-list s)ste- and to participate in the (1 Ma) *2(1 part)-list elections under the para-eters prescribed in this "ecision. %he Co--ission on Elections -a) conduct su--ar) evidentiar) hearin+s for this purpose. %his "ecision is i--ediatel) executor). $ $R"ERE". ANTONIO T. CARPIO Associate Eustice