Who Qualifies For Representation And As The Representative?

The Commission on Elections has just issued the rules on the qualifications of candidates for party-list representatives. According to the Comelec the nominees must prove that they "belong" to the marginalized sector they seek to represent.

The party-list representatives must be "one who belongs to the marginalized and underrepresented sector/s, the sectoral party, organization, political party or coalition he seeks to represent." They must also present proof in the form of "declarations, speeches, written articles” to show their active advocacy of the sector they want to represent.

That being the case many have questioned Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo’s nomination as representative of the party-list group Ang Galing Pinoy. Ang Galing Pinoy supposedly represents the marginalized security guards.

I do agree that security guards are grossly underpaid and overworked and they don't really get the pay commensurate with the risk that they take - especially those assigned to guarding banks.

They are indeed marginalized and need to have their own representative in congress but "Mikey" Arroyo as their representative? I don't think so. Let's face it I doubt he has ever wondered about the plight of security guards until this election.

I think that he, as with most politicians, seemingly take for granted the presence of these people who risk their lives to protect the assets of these same politicians.

LP senatorial candidate, Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros said hardworking security guards had “the right to be represented by someone credible, trustworthy and a member of their ranks."

That is how it should be.

I mean let's face it, Mikey Arroyo hasn't experienced being a security guard although he has experienced being guarded by one so I guess for him that counts as being part of that marginalized group.

He hires them to protect his assets so I guess he is part of that sector. Wow what a dillusional premise indeed. Ah wait he is a politician so that's normal.

Power hungry? Of course. And the best example is maybe-soon-to-be former president Gloria M. Arroyo. I say maybe because I don't believe she will go away that quietly. Power hungry? Yes she is the prime example of one - discounting former president Ferdinand Marcos.

It doesn't help that there is no law defining what a "marginalized" sector is. This makes it hard for the Comelec to figure out who can and can't be representatives. That said it's no surprise they have no problems agreeing that Mikey Arroyo can be a nominee.

Retired associate justice of the Supreme Court, Comelec Chair Jose Melo said that limiting party-list nominees to members of marginalized groups is not wise. He used the example of tricycle drivers who would make one of their own a representative. He argues that if it's someone who can't read or right then it would be hopeless. "They should have somebody who is educated to speak for them,” Melo said.

But is that always the best way Mr. Melo? I seem to remember that we have a lot of seemingly "educated" people in congress but I haven't seen any laws they passed that really help our country. They seem to find protecting their respective "educated" asses a much better thing to do instead of helping the country and its people.

And supposedly have an "educated" president but look where that brought us. Let's be honest about it: an "educated" politician is a "dumb" politician. The only "educated" thing they ever do is to steal money from the country without getting put away. In that regard they are "educated."

As for the Comelec guidelines it seems that it will only allow citizens to oppose the candidacy of nominees who they believe are not qualified to represent a marginalized group. Basically, it seems that if no one complains the nothing will be done.

So that's why some party-list are still there. So if there is really no law defining what a "marginalized" sector is, then why was the Disabled Pinoy Party (DPP), a party-list to represent the disabled people in the country, barred from being part of the polls?

Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said that they were not convinced that the DPP could do a nationwide campaign because it did not have the organizational structure to do so.

Ironic since it was also Larrazabal who underscored the need for the participation of disabled people in the national elections.

Backtracking are we Commissioner Larrazabal? So disabled people are only good for votes but not as the people's representatives? Who are you to decide whether they should or should not be represented.

Let the electorate decide that for them. If they can't mount a national campaign then it's on them. Why keep them from running just because you think they can't. Aren't you hypocritical here. Not to mention discriminating.

It seems Comelec can't get anything right. Oh well I wouldn't be surprised about a failed election should there be one. After all, we have the "educated" commissioners of the Comelec running the show.