Comelec division DQ’d PBBM party-list over alleged irregularities

The Commission on Elections disqualified PBBM party-list for alleged irregularities. File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — Regional partylist group Pilipinas Babangon Muli (PBBM) was disqualified by a division of the  Commission on Elections (Comelec) over alleged irregularities in the declared residence of its nominees.

PBBM is a regional party-list seeking to represent Calabarzon.

READ: DQ case filed vs PBBM party-list group

But a March 7 petition filed by Jess Christian Ramirez said that “none of its programs, activities, or nominees are connected to or originate from the said region.”

Due to this, Ramirez filed a petition to cancel the registration of PBBM party-list.

“The Petition is GRANTED. The registration of Respondent PILIPINAS BABANGON MULI (PBBM) party-list is hereby CANCELLED,” the Comelec Second Division, presided by commissioner Rey Bulay, said in its resolution.

PBBM party-list, which is 7th party-list in the 2025 midterm ballots, could still appeal before the Comelec en banc; and if it affirms the Second Division ruling, the respondent could elevate their case to the Supreme Court.

Comelec Second Division

The Comelec Second Division ruling noted that Section 6 of the Republic Act No. 7941 states that declaring untruthful statements in its petition may lead to the cancellation of a party-list’s registration.

On Sept. 21, 2023, PBBM party-list filed a petition for accreditation as a regional political party, saying it operates in the region with its headquarters in Taal, Batangas.

But one of the salient arguments of Ramirez’s petition was that, all of the 10 nominees of the party-list declared their residence to be outside Calabarzon region. Eight nominees are from Abra, one in Cagayan province, and one in Quezon City.

Section 3(c) of the RA No. 7941 said: “It is a national party when its constituency is spread over the geographical territory of at least a majority of the regions. Regional party when its constituency is spread over the geographical territory of at least a majority of the cities and provinces comprising the region.”

This means that all nominees cannot be considered bona fide members of a regional political party purporting to represent Calabarzon, according to the poll body division.

“The failure to establish this constituency negates the very character of a regional political party,” the division said.

It added that the party-list is “disqualified from participating in the party-list elections for failure to field at least one qualified nominee.”

Comelec Second Division ordered PBBM party-list to answer the petition. But in their answer, the party-list argued that a registered political party’s fielding of nominees from another region is not among the grounds for disqualification.

“Respondent has taken an inconsistent and irreconcilable stance,” the division said.