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Atong Paglaum, Inc. Vs. Commission on Elections [Concurring Dissenting Opinion, Leonen, J.]

G.R. Nos. 203766, 203818-19, 203922, 203936, 203958, 203960, 203976, 203981, 204002, 204094, 204100, 204122, 204125, 204126, 204139, 204141, 204153, 204158, 204174, 204216, 204220, 204236, 204238, 204239, 204240, 204263, 204318, 204321, 204323, 204341, 204356, 204358, 204359, 204364, 204367, 204370, 204374, 204379, 204394, 204402, 204408, 204410, 204421, 204425, 204426, 204428, 204435, 204436, 204455, 204484, 204485, 204486 and 204490 – ATONG PAGLAUM, INC. represented by its President, MR. ALAN IGOT, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent; et al. [Concurring Dissenting Opinion, Leonen, J.]

G.R. No. 203766 | 2013-04-02

EN BANC

CONCURRING AND DISSENTING OPINION

LEONEN, J.: 

I agree with the ponencia in substance, but dissent in so far as there is no finding of grave abuse of discretion on the part of the COMELEC. 

National political parties may participate in party list elections, provided that they have no candidate for legislative districts. The constitution disqualifies political parties, which have candidates for legislative districts, from the party list system.1 I also agree that they need not be organized sectorally and/or represent the “marginalized and underrepresented”. 

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