THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualified on Monday a party-list organization after gathering evidence that the group is being used as a front by a religious organization.

Citing Article 6 of Republic Act 7941 that institutionalized the party-list system, the Comelec’s Second Division disqualified Bagong Alyansang Tagapagtaguyod ng Adhikaing Sambayanan (Batas) party-list group, saying that it is an extension of the Ang Dating Daan (ADD) religious organization founded by Eli Soriano.

The Comelec also said Daniel Razon, the party-list group’s first nominee for a congressional seat in the May 14 elections, is the second-highest official of the religious organization.

The Comelec found that Batas used ADD facilities and resources in its campaign in the May 14 elections and that Razon used his position as an ADD preacher to campaign for Batas.

Under Article 6 of RA 7941, the poll body may remove or cancel the registration of any national, regional or sectoral party, organization or coalition if it is a religious sect or denomination, or an organization or association organized for religious purposes.

Earlier Batas earned the required 2 percent of total party-list votes to elect Razon to Congress. The Comelec, however, temporarily set aside Razon’s proclamation as party-list representative because of a pending disqualification case and petition for cancellation of registration filed by Nathan Macute, a registered voter of sitio Roque, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

In his petition, Macute pointed out that the registration of Batas was intended to “completely deceive and defraud” the electorate because it is passing itself off as the Buklod ng mga Abogadong Tagapagtaguyod ng Adhikain ng Sambayanan, which bears the same acronym and was organized by lawyer Melanio Mauricio Jr.

Besides Razon, the other nominees of Batas were Mauricio Jr., Jose “Jay” Sonza, Ariel Pacis and Olivia Coo.

CHIEF Justice Reynato Puno said on Monday that the writ of habeas data, the third legal remedy that is expected to counter enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, is likely to be implemented before the end of the year.

THE National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Monday filed four counts of murder and 12 counts of frustrated murder charges against three suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in connection with the November 13 bombing of the South Wing of the Batasan Complex which killed four people, including a congressman, and injured several others.

AN alleged “enemy spy” has been executed by members of the Arnulfo Ortiz Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Western Samar.

TAXPAYERS will cough up some P2.066 billion in interest and principal payments this year for loans used to implement 17 telecommunications projects including rural telephones without dial tones.

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualified on Monday a party-list organization after gathering evidence that the group is being used as a front by a religious organization.

VIRAC, Catanduanes—Torrential rains triggered landslides on this island during the past four weeks, crippling transportation in the province.

THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will let industry stakeholders propose the fee the regulator should charge handset manufacturers and suppliers for every mobile phone that will be registered with the commission.