Diwata files intention to run for party-list representing vendors

Deo Balbuena, also known as Diwata the viral pares food seller, holds out the certificate of nomination and acceptance document he filed for a party-list representing vendors. INQUIRER.net / John Eric Mendoza

MANILA, Philippines — The internet sensation behind the famous Diwata Pares Overload stall is the fourth nominee of a party-list representing vendors.

Deo Balbuena, also known as Diwata, filed the certificate of nomination and acceptance (Cona) of Vendors Party-list at the Manila Hotel Tent City on Wednesday.

Balbuena said their party-list group will push to ease the processing of permit for vendors, among other legislation that would benefit the informal sector.

“We (vendors) should follow the law, but we should not make it hard for Filipino vendors to follow,” he said in Filipino after filing his party-list group’s Cona.

“We should also help our vendors, especially those in the streets, to make sure that their goods won’t be confiscated without consideration, because many of them only borrowed their capital,” he also said.

However, Balbuena will serve as the fourth representative of the party-list.

A party-list group could only win up to three seats.

The Commission on Elections introduced a new election guideline where party-list groups are now required to submit 10 nominees to represent them.

The old law originally mandates a registered party to submit at least five names.