Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has affirmed the dismissal of a petition seeking to disqualify the Bagong Henerasyon (BH) party-list. This decision was announced following an eight-page resolution by the Comelec en banc, which denied a motion for reconsideration filed by lawyer Russell Geronimo. Geronimo’s motion challenged an earlier ruling by the Commission’s First Division.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Comelec en banc stated that the previous order was neither baseless nor contrary to law. The motion for reconsideration merely reiterated points already addressed in the original order without presenting any new evidence that could alter the conclusions previously reached.

The Comelec First Division had initially dismissed the disqualification petition due to the petitioner’s failure to meet mandatory requirements. These included not providing a copy of the petition to the respondent and failing to attach a Certificate of Nomination-Certificate of Acceptance of Nomination.

The Comelec en banc supported the First Division’s emphasis on the importance of adhering to mandatory requirements outlined in the rules. They argued that granting reconsideration would undermine the integrity of the Commission’s procedural framework and encourage non-compliance.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco noted that the proclamation of the BH party-list group will proceed if the latest ruling becomes final and executory. However, he mentioned that the petitioner has the option to take the case to the Supreme Court. If the petitioner fails to obtain a temporary restraining order, the en banc decision will become final and executory within five days.