The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) En Banc issued a resolution on 22 August 2024, dismissing the Petition for Registration of Health Workers Partylist for simple technical reason of differentiating between a sectoral party and a sectoral organization.
HWPL believes that this technical reason is not among the legal grounds for disqualification.
The COMELEC decision deprives us health workers of the opportunity to participate in the 2025 Partylist Elections. It practically denied the health workers to have a voice in Congress.
We should not allow this to happen.
Health Workers Partylist fully complied with all the COMELEC requirements for registration.
Our members consisted of fellow health workers who have risked our very own lives to save the lives of our patients before, during and after the pandemic. Many of us were in the forefront of the actions for people’s health, health workers’ salaries, benefits, protection and humane work conditions. Through these collective actions and strength, we organized ourselves more and established chapters in 11 out of 16 cities in the National Capital Region.
We are disappointed that our serious intent to join the partylist elections was thwarted even before we could explain to and convince the electorate of our platform and legislative agenda.
We are concerned that in the past elections, COMELEC has easily accredited dynastic political groups backed by big political parties, which have lots of funds and resources. Many partylist groups representing marginalized and underrepresented sectors seem to be passing through a needle’s eye before being accredited.
Health Workers Partylist will not give up our intention to have a health workers’ voice in Congress. We will explore all available venues including the filing of a Motion for Reconsideration in COMELEC and other appropriate legal remedies in the Supreme Court.
We call on our fellow health workers to stand up and together let us push for the accreditation of Health Workers Partylist. We encourage all health advocates and advocates of freedom and democracy to support the Health Workers Partylist’s bid to be registered and to participate in the 2025 partylist election.
We will continue to serve the Filipino people as we fight for our right to have a representation in Congress.
JOIN US ON AUGUST 27, 2024 FILING OF MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION IN COMELEC.
Dinggin ang Boses ng Health Workers!
Patakbuhin ang Health Workers Partylist sa Kongreso!
Accredit Health Workers PartyList!
Health Workers, Tuloy ang Laban!
Health Workers, Dalhin ang Boses sa Kongreso!# (PR)
