The Commission on Elections appears to have no intention of intervening in the participation of the communist terrorist groups’ legal fronts, Gabriela and the Kabataan Partylist, in the 2022 elections, the Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI) said Friday.
This, LIPI Secretary General Jose Antonio “Ka Pep” Goitia said, was despite formal complaints filed with the Comelec “about the acts and affiliations of both party-lists to the communist terror group.”
“No decision has been made. The question is why? Why is the Comelec not acting on the complaints?” he said.
Goitia asked why the Comelec is allowing “these illegal organizations” to participate in the election despite “strong proof” they have violated requirements of Republic Act 7941 Section 6 or the Party-List System Act.
He cited Section 6.2, which states that a party-list group can be disqualified if it “advocates violence or unlawful means to seek its goal.”
The LIPI chief also cited Section 6.4, barring groups “receiving support from any foreign government, foreign political party, foundation, organization, whether directly or through any of its officers or members or indirectly through third parties for partisan election purposes.”
“What further proof is needed when former rebels and cadres have identified those who are members of the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front)?” Goitia said.
He said that based on the testimony of former members of the Kabataan party-list and former cadres of the communist criminal organization, “there is substantial evidence that Sara Elago and her group are active members of the CPP.”
Jeffrey Celiz, alias Ka Eric Almendras, severely criticized Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Elago for reiterating her denial of her ties to the CPP-NPA-NDF.
"Tigilan na ni CPP operative Sarah Elago ang playing victim and paawa effect na style nya. Hindi na ito bumibenta sa mamamayang Pilipino,” Celiz said.
One of the founders of the Kabataan party-list, Alms Gabin, testified about the goal of spreading the CPP-NPA ideology in the legislative branch and destroying the government from within, Goitia noted.
Jade Sinco, a former provincial secretary general of the Kabataan Party in Samar, has testified he oversaw youth organizations in Samar to recruit and promote for the CPP-NPA, he added.
Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr., National Security Adviser and NTF-ELCAC Vice-Chairman, stated that the evidence in support of the disqualification case filed against Gabriela before the Comelec is “substantial.”
“Gabriela has been receiving funding from foreign sources. Additionally, a sizable number of Gabriela members have enlisted in the New People's Army,” LIPI said in a statement.
“We are enraged that the Comelec leadership has not prioritized these national security-related allegations. By their inaction, they are placing more individuals at risk of death,” it said.
“We demand, in the interests of the Filipino people, that the Comelec rule on these concerns and disqualify the Kabataan and Gabriela party lists. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas. Puksain ang CPP-NPA-NDF!” the group added.
