No law or right of any party-list group has been violated by a resolution of the Commission on Elections directing the random listing of party-list groups on the official ballot for the 2013 national elections, based on a raffle to determine the order of the listing. It is within the power of the Comelec to institute such reformative poll measures in order to ensure a more credible election. And this reform measure on the table is only fair to those party-list groups that honestly came up with a name or acronym befitting their organizations, unlike those that adopted names beginning with letter “A” or number “1” (although very clearly not connected with or relevant to their respective causes or organizations) just to make it first on the ballot box list of party-list groups.
In past elections, the names or acronyms of party-list groups were arranged alphabetically on the ballot. And this is the reason almost 60 percent of the party-list groups are using names starting with “A” or number “1.” From the very start of our party-list system, the Comelec knew the intentions of these groups but, regrettably, it practically tolerated or allowed them to abuse its liberality.
The reform measure being introduced now by the Comelec is a very innovative one. Whoever conceived of this brilliant idea should be commended, and Comelec Chair Sixto S. Brillantes Jr., a seasoned election lawyer, and the Comelec commissioners should be congratulated for coming up with this resolution that will put an end to the apparent bad faith and practice of some party-list groups. If these groups or their representatives cannot be trusted on such a small matter, more so that they cannot not be entrusted with higher responsibilities like being members of Congress
The claim by some party-list groups that random listing will make it difficult for them to campaign or will cost more in terms of advertising campaign is clearly devoid of merit. They conveniently forget that when they applied for registration, they all claimed that they had chapters in each and every region or in each and every municipality that support their ideals and advocacies. Now is the time for them to prove such claim.
—ROMULO B. MACALINTAL,
election lawyer, Las Piñas