OFW party-list seeks recomputation of House seat allocation

Metro Manila, Philippines - A party-list group is seeking a recomputation of seat allocation in the House of Representatives after it failed to secure a slot after the midterm polls.

Rep. Marissa Magsino of One Filipino Worldwide Coalition (OFW) filed a petition for certiorari with the Supreme Court on Monday, May 26.

It asked for the issuance of a temporary restraining order to compel the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to “cease and desist” from implementing the National Board of Canvassers Resolution 14-25, which allowed the proclamation of the winning party-lists.

OFW also urged the poll body to allocate 64 House seats for party-lists. The Comelec came up with 63 seats only because it did not round off the remaining number.

The party-list also called on the Comelec to review the accreditation, disqualify, and disallow the participation of non-marginalized groups in the representation system.

Should the petition be granted, the group believes it will get a House seat.

“Mababawasan (ng seats) po, lalo na ‘yung mga nasa taas [The seats, especially those in the higher spots will be reduced],” lawyer Winly Supnet said.

“Kung sakaling maiaayos ang alokasyon ng mga pwesto o mga seat sa Kongreso na ginawa po nila at magkakaroon ng recomputation, tiyak po na makakapasok ang OFW Party-list dahil ito po ay laban nating lahat,” Magsino said.

[Translation: If they correct the allocation of seats in Congress by recomputing, definitely, OFW Party-list will be able to get a slot.]

The poll body welcomed the court filing.

“The latest pronouncement of the Supreme Court on the issue… had provided the basis not just for the computation of the allocation and distribution of available Party-List Seats but also operationalized the Constitutional precepts on the composition on the House of Representatives,” Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said.

OFW ranked 59th in the party-list race.

Fifty-four party-lists, entitled with 63 seats, won the recent midterm polls. The Comelec proclaimed the winning party-lists except Bagong Henerasyon (BH) and Duterte Youth pending poll violation cases.

The disqualification case against BH has been dismissed but it is yet to be proclaimed as the petitioner may still appeal.