Bicol solons rally behind Ako Bicol lawmakers

Even with three senators and a host of congressmen from the Bicol region, lawmakers see nothing wrong with additional representation from a party-list group like the discredited Ako Bicol.

Senators Francis Escudero and Gregorio Honasan on Thursday expressed disappointment at the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to disqualify Ako Bicol, the topnotcher in the 2010 party-list balloting.

“Based on what I know, historical records including the electoral record of Ako Bicol, it represents an unrepresented sector … whether marginalized or not from Bicol. Are we questioning the wisdom of the Bicolanos that put three party-list representatives [in Congress]?”

“I’m not questioning the judgment call of the Comelec. I’m just saying that it should be driven by some modicum of consistency,” he added.

Ako Bicol topped the 2010 elections with more than 1.5 million votes, 1.1 million of which came from the Bicol provinces. Ako Bicol has three representatives in the House—Rodel Batocabe, Christopher Co and Alfredo Garbin Jr.

“I am disappointed with the decision. But I’m sure that Ako Bicol will appeal the decision of the Comelec. I am hopeful that the Supreme Court will issue a favorable ruling [for Ako Bicol],” Escudero said in a text message.

Asked why Bicolanos should further be represented by a party-list group when they already have their district congressmen in the House, Escudero said, “Why not, like An Waray?”

Escudero pointed out the case of An Waray, a party-list group that represents the Waray of Eastern Samar. It is now represented in Congress by Representatives Florencio Noel and Neil Benedict Motejo.

“You can say the same for every ethnic group if you study the present representation more carefully. How many are party-list groups camouflaging under various names actually represent ethnic groups, sectoral groups that are within the region?” Honasan said when told of the congressmen already representing the Bicolano districts.

Aside from Honasan and Escudero of Sorsogon, the other senator who has roots in the Bicol region is Joker Arroyo of Camarines Sur. The region is one of the vote-rich areas in the country.

In its decision to disqualify Ako Bicol, the Comelec said Bicolanos were already well represented in Congress.

“If the commission were to allow Ako Bicol’s continued participation in the party-list system, this commission is condoning the continued and blatant violation of the proportional representation of provinces, cities and Metropolitan Manila in accordance with the number of their inhabitants, and on the basis of a uniform and progressive ratio,” the Comelec said.