Maza calls on COMELEC to remain non partisan in the wake of Malacanang’s bid to disqualify Gabriela
 
Gabriela Women’s Partylist Representative Liza Largoza Maza  called on  Chairman Benjamin Abalos  to uphold the independence of  COMELEC and remain non partisan amid the concerted efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Malacanang to disqualify progressive partylists like Gabriela Women’s Party.
 
“Our counsels are raising serious procedural irregularities on the way the Comelec is handling the disqualification charges against us. This comes in the wake of presidential legal adviser Sergio Apostol’s so-called advice to the AFP to file disqualification cases against us, the high profile tirades of National Security Adviser against progressive partylists, and the door to door vilification campaign of the military against us in certain communities in the National Capital region, Southern tagalong, Bicol Province and in Mindanao,. “ Maza said.
 
Last Valentine’s day, the progressive partylist representatives were again the subject of trumped-up murder cases  in Nueva Ecija, and which now forms the basis of the disqualification charge .  To this, Maza said, “These charges are obviously manufactured to harass and repress us, sow malicious intrigues to confuse the public. “
 
Maza’s legal counsel Atty Alnie Foja and Bayan Muna counsel Neri Colmenares  pointed to “serious procedural irregularities” by the Comelec  in dealing with the disqualification case against the three progressive partylists. These are:
 
1.      the disqualification cases were  treated as special civil action instead of special proceeding under Rule 32 of the Comelec  Rules of Procedure, thereby disallowing the Respondents counsels to cross examine witnesses. this is to the prejudice of the respondent’s constitutional right to due process.
2.      Comelec gave the respondents only three days to file an answer, instead of five days as provided by the Comelec Rules.
3.      Comelec  said the period to file such answer was non extendible .
4.      Comelec served the copies of the complaint and summons on a Friday, compelling respondents  to work overtime on a weekend to produce an answer.
5.      Comelec required “personal service” of Gabriela’s answer to complainant’s residence in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija,
 
“If the Comelec gives  due course to the petition of disqualification against  our Partylist, the Comelec is wittingly or unwittingly playing into the hands of the AFP and Malacanang.” Maza said.
 
Maza, however, remains unfazed by these latest development on her party. “We are definitely on track and determined to represent marginalized women in Congress.” ##