Admin allies dominate party-list race

Administration allies are likely to dominate the party-list elections based on the March 21 to 28 survey of Pulse Asia.

The latest Pulse Asia survey, released along with the preferences of voters for the senatorial race, showed 46 of 187 party-list groups eyeing seats in Congress likely to win the elections.

Thirty-seven of those are either openly allies or perceived to be allies of the Arroyo administration.

ABS-CBN News asked Bayan Muna Representative Teodoro Casiño to examine Pulse Asia's winning circle for the party-list election.

Casiño counted only 7 among the 20 re-electionist party-list groups to be among the current minority in the House of Representatives. These are party-list groups Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Akbayan, Anakpawis, An Waray, Kabataan, and CIBAC.

Thirteen are allied with the majority in the chamber controlled by allies of the President.

Of the 26 other non-reelectionist party-list groups seeking congressional seats, Casiño counted only 2 groups who, he said, are not allies of the administration. He refused to identify these groups for fear of reprisal.

Among the key allies of the president in the winning circle are: 1-UTAK, whose nominee is former Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes; BUHAY, whose nominee is El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde; and, Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD), currently represented by retired general Jovito Palparan.

If there's any consolation for Casiño, aside from Bayan Muna's second place in the party-list race, is that Ang Galing Pinoy, the party-list group which nominated Pampanga 2nd district representative and presidential son Juan Miguel 'Mikey' Macapagal-Arroyo is not in the winning circle.

"(laughs) Walang Ang Galing Pinoy (AGP) dito. Pinapakita ng mga botante, bagamat iilan lang ang nakakaalam sa party-list, matalino, alam nila pinakabogus at pinakapekeng party-list, di dapat iboto," he said.

Having said that, Casiño advised the younger Arroyo to withdraw from the election or risk embarrassment.,

"Baka mas magandang si Mikey umatras na, wag nang tumuloy baka mapahiya siya ng gusto," he said.

Mikey: Nothing to worry about

But Congressman Arroyo simply vowed to work harder to win.

He also said that this is proof his critics or those seeking his disqualification have nothing to worry about.

"Then there is no reason for the critics or those who seek to disqualify me to worry," Rep. Arroyo said.

Casiño, however, issued a warning: that the party-list groups who, like Arroyo's, are not doing well in surveys, can still catch up on the strength of the machinery of the administration.

Casiño said the low awareness of the electorate about the party-list system makes the electorate prone to traditional forms of electoral manipulation.

Majority not aware of party-list

The same Pulse Asia survey showed 58% of the voters are not aware of the party-list system.

"Mababa pa rin awareness. Madaling mamamanipulate mga botante dahil marami walang alam sa party-list. Choices will be influenced by traditional forms ng pagkuha ng boto," he warned.

If the party-list groups win, they will add to at least 160 pro-Arroyo congressmen in the chamber.

Critics have pointed out an apparent bid by allies of the president to dominate or at least become a significant voting block in the next Congress in anticipation of 3 scenarios:

1. to serve as Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's political leverage against a new president who will prosecute her by having at least 1/3 of the House endorse an impeachment complaint;

2. to serve as her voting bloc to become Speaker and eventually Prime Minister.

3. to quickly elect her as Speaker of the House who will be the acting president should elections for the presidency, vice presidency and the Senate fail.