CASE 2013-0006: ATONG PAGLAUM, INC. VS.

COMMISSION
ON ELECTION AND OTHER CASES (G.R. NO. 203766 ETC.,
02 APRIL 2013, CARPIO, J.) SUJECT!S: PART" LIST (RIE#
TITLE: ATONG PAGLAUM VS COMELEC)


SUJECTS!DOCTRINES


$HAT ESSENTIALL" $AS THE RULING O# THE COURT:


We hold that the COMELEC did not commit grave abuse of
discretion in following prevailing decisions of this Court in
disqualifying petitioners from participating in the coming 13 May
!13 party"list elections# $owever% since the Court adopts in this
&ecision new parameters in the quali'cation of national% regional%
and sectoral parties under the party"list system% thereby
abandoning the rulings in the decisions applied by the COMELEC
in disqualifying petitioners% we remand to the COMELEC all the
present petitions for the COMELEC to determine who are quali'ed
to register under the partylist system% and to participate in the
coming 13 May !13 party"list elections% under the new
parameters prescribed in this &ecision#


(((((((((((((((((


$HAT IS THE OJECTIVE O# THE PART" LIST S"STEM
UNDER THE 1%&7 CONSTITUTION'


TO DEMOCRATIZE POLITICAL POWER BY GIVING POLITICAL
PARTIES THAT CANNOT WIN IN LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
ELECTIONS A CHANCE TO WIN SEATS IN THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES.


)he 1*+, Constitution provides the basis for the party"list system
ofrepresentation# -imply put% the party"list system is intended to
democrati.e political power by giving political parties that cannot
win in legislative district elections a chance to win seats in the
$ouse of /epresentatives#0! )he voter elects two representatives
in the $ouse of /epresentatives1 one for his or her legislative
district% and another for his or her party"list group or organi.ation
of choice#


(((((((((((((((


$HO ARE INCLUDED IN THE PART" LIST S"STEM'


SECTORAL AND WELL AS NON-SECTORAL PARTIES.


2ndisputably% the framers of the 1*+, Constitution intended the
party"listsystem to include not only sectoral parties but also non"
sectoral parties# )he framers intended the sectoral parties to
constitute a part% but not the entirety% of the party"list system# A(
)*+,-./)0 12 C344.((.3/)5 $.,65)03 V.,,-7358-, +3,.8.7-,
+-58.)( 7-/ +-58.7.+-8) ./ 89) +-582-,.(8 (2(8)4 :;#<35 -(
,3/= -( 89)2 >),0 7-/0.0-8)( ?93 734) 6534 89) 0.@)5)/8
4-5=./-,.A)0 ()7835( 89-8 ?) (9-,, 0)(.=/-8) ./ 89.(
C3/(8.8B8.3/#303

CCCCCCCCCCCCCC.


)hus% in the end% the proposal to give permanent reserved seats
to certain sectors was outvoted# 2nstead% the reservation of seats
to sectoral representatives was only allowed for the 'rst three
consecutive terms#00

)here can be no doubt whatsoever that the framers of the 1*+,
Constitution e4pressly re5ected the proposal to ma6e the party"list
system e4clusively for sectoral parties only% and that they clearly
intended the party"list system to include both sectoral and non"
sectoral parties#


(((((((((((((((((


$HAT IS THE COMMON DENOMINATOR ET$EEN
SECTORAL AND NON-SECTORAL PARTIES'


THEY CANNOT EXPECT TO WIN IN LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
ELECTIONS BUT THEY CAN GARNER, IN NATIONWIDE
ELECTIONS.


)he common denominator between sectoral and non"sectoral
parties is that they cannot e4pect to win in legislative district
elections but they can garner% in nationwide elections% at least the
same number of votes that winning candidates can garner in
legislative district elections# )he party"list system will be the entry
point to membership in the $ouse of /epresentatives for both
these non"traditional parties that could not compete in legislative
district elections#


((((((((((((((


$HAT COMPOSE THE PART" LIST S"STEM'


THREE DIFFERENT GROUPS: (1) NATIONAL PARTIES OR
ORGANIZATIONS (!) REGIONAL PARTIES OR
ORGANIZATIONS AND (") SECTORAL PARTIES OR
ORGANIZATIONS.


)hus% the party"list system is composed of 895)) 0.@)5)/8
=53B+(1 718 national parties or organi.ations9 78 regional parties
or organi.ations9 and 738 sectoral parties or organi.ations#
:ational and regional parties or organi.ations are 0.@)5)/8 from
sectoral parties or organi.ations# :ational and regional parties or
organi.ations need not be organi.ed along sectoral lines and need
not represent any particular sector#


((((((((((((((


$HAT IS THE PROO# THAT THE PART" LIST S"STEM IS NOT
EDCLUSIVEL" #OR SECTORAL PARTIES'


SECTION #(!), ARTICLE VI OF THE 1$%& CONSTITUTION
WHICH MANDATES THAT, DURING THE FIRST THREE
CONSECUTIVE TERMS OF CONGRESS AFTER THE
RATIFICATION OF THE 1$%& CONSTITUTION, 'ONE-HALF OF
THE SEATS ALLOCATED TO PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVES
SHALL BE FILLED, AS PROVIDED BY LAW, BY SELECTION OR
ELECTION FROM THE LABOR, PEASANT, URBAN POOR,
INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMMUNITIES, WOMEN, YOUTH,
AND SUCH OTHER SECTORS AS MAY BE PROVIDED BY LAW,
EXCEPT THE RELIGIOUS SECTOR.(


Moreover% -ection 078% ;rticle <2 of the 1*+, Constitution
mandates that% during the 'rst three consecutive terms of
Congress after the rati'cation of the 1*+, Constitution% =one"half
of the seats allocated to party"list representatives shall be 'lled%
as provided by law% by selection or election from the labor%
peasant% urban poor% indigenous cultural communities% women%
youth% and such other sectors as may be provided by law% e4cept
the religious sector#3 )his provision clearly shows again that the
party"list system is not e4clusively for sectoral parties for two
obvious reasons#

First% the other one"half of the seats allocated to party"list
representatives would naturally be open to non"sectoral party"list
representatives% clearly negating the idea that the party"list
system is e4clusively for sectoral parties representing the
=marginali.ed and underrepresented#3 Second% the reservation of
one"half of the party"list seats to sectoral parties applies only for
the 'rst =three consecutive terms after the rati'cation of this
Constitution%3 clearly ma6ing the party"list system fully
open after the end of the 'rst three congressional terms# )his
means that% after this period% there will be no seats reserved for
any class or type of party that quali'es under the three groups
constituting the party"list system#

H)/7), 89) 7,)-5 ./8)/8, )*+5)(( ?350./=, -/0 +-582-,.(8
(85B78B5) 350-./)0 ./ S)78.3/ E(1) -/0 (2), A58.7,) VI 36 89)
1%&7 C3/(8.8B8.3/ 7-//38 1) 0.(+B8)0: 89) +-582-,.(8
(2(8)4 .( /38 635 ()7835-, +-58.)( 3/,2, 1B8 -,(3 635 /3/-
()7835-, +-58.)(#


((((((((((((((((((((


$HAT IS THE DI##ERENCE ET$EEN A POLITICAL PART"
AND A SECTORAL PART".


THE DIFFERENCE IS STATED IN R.A. NO. &$)1.


POLITICAL PARTY REFERS TO AN ORGANIZED GROUP OF
CITIZENS ADVOCATING AN IDEOLOGY OR PLATFORM,
PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES FOR THE GENERAL CONDUCT OF
GOVERNMENT.(


A SECTORAL PARTY REFERS TO AN ORGANIZED GROUP OF
CITIZENS BELONGING TO ANY OF THE SECTORS
ENUMERATED IN SECTION # HEREOF WHOSE PRINCIPAL
ADVOCACY PERTAINS TO THE SPECIAL INTEREST AND
CONCERNS OF THEIR SECTOR.(

-ection 37a8 of /#;# :o# ,*>1 de'nes a =party3 as =).89)5 -
+3,.8.7-, +-582 35 - ()7835-, +-582 or a coalition of parties#3
Clearly% a political party is di?erent from a sectoral party# -ection
37c8 of /#;# :o# ,*>1 further provides that a =+3,.8.7-, +-582
refers to an organi.ed =53B+ 36 7.8.A)/( *+,-.*/012 *1
0+3-4-25 -6 74*/8-69, 7601.0743: *1+ 7-40.03: 635 89)
=)/)5-, 73/0B78 36 =3F)5/4)/8#3 On the other hand% -ection
37d8 of /#;# :o# ,*>1 provides that a =()7835-, +-582 refers to an
organi.ed group of citi.ens belonging to any of the sectors
enumerated in -ection 0 hereof ?93() +5./7.+-, -0F37-72
+)58-./( 83 89) (+)7.-, ./8)5)(8 -/0 73/7)5/( 36 89).5
()7835#3 /#;# :o# ,*>1 provides di?erent de'nitions for a political
and a sectoral party# Obviously% they are separate and distinct
from each other#



DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD


DOES R.A. NO. 7%G1 REHUIRE NATIONAL AND REGIONAL
PARTIES TO REPRESENT THE MARGINALIIED AND
UNDERREPRESENTED SECTORS'


NO. TO RE;UIRE ALL NATIONAL AND REGIONAL PARTIES
UNDER THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM TO REPRESENT THE
'MARGINALIZED AND UNDERREPRESENTED( IS TO
DEPRIVE AND EXCLUDE, BY <UDICIAL FIAT, IDEOLOGY-
BASED AND CAUSE-ORIENTED PARTIES FROM THE PARTY-
LIST SYSTEM.


R.A. N3. 7%G1 03)( /38 5)JB.5) /-8.3/-, -/0 5)=.3/-,
+-58.)( 35 35=-/.A-8.3/( 83 5)+5)()/8 89) :4-5=./-,.A)0
-/0 B/0)55)+5)()/8)0K ()7835(. )o require all national and
regional parties under the party"list system to represent the
=marginali.ed and underrepresented3 is to deprive and e4clude%
by 5udicial 'at% ideology"based and cause"oriented parties from
the party"list system# $ow will these ideology"based and cause"
oriented parties% who cannot win in legislative district elections%
participate in the electoral process if they are e4cluded from the
party"list system@ )o e4clude them from the partylist system is to
prevent them from 5oining the parliamentary struggle% leaving as
their only option the armed struggle# )o e4clude them from the
party"list system is% apart from being obviously senseless%
patently contrary to the clear intent and e4press wording of the
1*+, Constitution and /#;# :o# ,*>1# Ander the party"list system%
an ideology"based or cause"oriented political party is clearly
di?erent from a sectoral party# ; political party need not be
organi.ed as a sectoral party and need not represent any
particular sector# )here is no requirement in /#;# :o# ,*>1 that a
national or regional political party must represent a =marginali.ed
and underrepresented3 sector# 2t is suBcient that the political
party consists of citi.ens who advocate the same ideology or
platform% or the same governance principles and policies%
5)=-50,)(( 36 89).5 )73/34.7 (8-8B( -( 7.8.A)/(#

-ection 0 of /#;# :o# ,*>1 states that =the sectors shall include
labor% peasant% 'sherfol6% urban poor% indigenous cultural
communities% ),0)5,2% handicapped% ?34)/% 23B89% veterans%
overseas wor6ers% and +536)((.3/-,(.30C )he sectors mentioned
in -ection 0 are not all necessarily =marginali.ed and
underrepresented#3 Dor sure% =professionals3 are not by de'nition
=marginali.ed and underrepresented%3 not even the elderly%
women% and the youth# $owever% professionals% the elderly%
women% and the youth may =lac6 well"de'ned political
constituencies%3 and can thus organi.e themselves into sectoral
parties in advocacy of the special interests andconcerns of their
respective sectors#

-ection C of /#;# :o# ,*>1 provides another compelling reason for
holding that the law does not require national or regional parties%
as well as certain sectoral parties in -ection 0 of /#;# :o# ,*>1% to
represent the =marginali.ed and underrepresented#3 -ection C
provides the grounds for the COMELEC to refuse or cancel the
registration of parties or organi.ations after due notice and
hearing#


((((((((((((((((((((


$HAT IS THE CONSEHUENCE I# $E INTERPRET THAT ALL
THE SECTORS MENTIONED IN SECTION E ARE
MARGINALIIED AND UNDERREPRESENTED'


IT WOULD LEAD TO ABSURDITIES.


On the contrary% to even interpret that all the sectors mentioned
in -ection 0 are =marginali.ed and underrepresented3 would lead
to absurdities#


((((((((((((((((


TO $HAT DOES THE PHRASE MARGINALIIED AND
UNDERREPRESENTED RE#ER TO TALING INTO ACCOUNT
THE ROAD POLIC" DECLARATION IN SECTION 2O# R.A.
NO. 7%G1 $ITH ITS SPECI#IC IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS,
EARING IN MIND THE APPLICALE PROVISIONS O# THE
1%&7 CONSTITUTION ON THE MATTER'


THE PHRASE SHOULD REFER ONLY TO THE SECTORS IN
SECTION # THAT ARE, BY THEIR NATURE, ECONOMICALLY
'MARGINALIZED AND UNDERREPRESENTED.(


DDDDDDDDDDDDDDD


$HAT ARE THESE SECTORS'


THESE SECTORS ARE: LABOR, PEASANT, FISHERFOL=,
URBAN POOR, INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMMUNITIES,
HANDICAPPED, VETERANS, OVERSEAS WOR=ERS, AND
OTHER SIMILAR SECTORS.


(((((((((((((((


SHOULD ALL O# THE MEMERS O# THE SECTORAL PART"
ELONG TO THE MARGINALIIED AND
UNDERREPRESENTED'


ONLY A MA<ORITY.


#35 89)() ()7835(, - 4-M35.82 36 89) 4)41)5( 36 89)
()7835-, +-582 4B(8 1),3/= 83 89) :4-5=./-,.A)0 -/0
B/0)55)+5)()/8)0#3


((((((((((((((((


HO$ AOUT THE NOMINEES O# THE THE SECTORAL
PART"'


EITHER THEY MUST BELONG TO THE SECTOR OR MUST
HAVE A TRAC= RECORD OF ADVOCACY FOR THAT SECTOR.


T9) /34./))( 36 89) ()7835-, +-582 ).89)5 4B(8 1),3/= 83
89) ()7835, 35 4B(8 9-F) - 85-7N 5)7350 36 -0F37-72 635 89)
()7835 5)+5)()/8)0# Eelonging to the =marginali.ed and
underrepresented3 sector does not mean one must =wallow in
poverty% destitution or in'rmity#3 2t is suBcient that one% or his or
her sector% is below the middle class# More speci'cally% the
economically =marginali.ed and underrepresented3 are those who
fall in the low income group as classi'ed by the :ational
-tatistical Coordination Eoard#0+


(((((((((((((((((((((((((


HO$ AOUT SECTORAL PARTIES O# PRO#ESSIONALS, THE
ELDERL", $OMEN AND THE "OUTH, DO THE" NEED TO E
MARGINALIIED'


NO. THEY BELONG TO IDEOLOGY-BASED AND CAUSE
ORIENTED PARTIES. ALLOWING THEM TO RUN AS PARTY
LIST WILL GIVE GIVE SMALL IDEOLOGY-BASED AND
CAUSE-ORIENTED PARTIES WHO LAC= 'WELL-DEFINED
POLITICAL CONSTITUENCIES( A CHANCE TO WIN SEATS IN
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.




)he recognition that national and regional parties% as well as
sectoral parties of professionals% the elderly% women and the
youth% need not be =marginali.ed and underrepresented3 will
allow small ideology"based and cause"oriented parties who lac6
=well"de'ned political constituencies3 a chance to win seats in the
$ouse of /epresentatives# On the other hand% limiting to the
=marginali.ed and underrepresented3 the ()7835-, parties for
labor% peasant% 'sherfol6% urban poor% indigenous cultural
communities% handicapped% veterans% overseas wor6ers% and
other sectors that by their nature are economically at the margins
of society% will give the =marginali.ed and underrepresented3 an
opportunity to li6ewise win seats in the $ouse of /epresentatives#
)his interpretation will harmoni.e the 1*+, Constitution and /#;#
:o# ,*>1 and will give rise to a multi"party system where those
=marginali.ed and underrepresented%3 >-/? 01 3.-1-90. *1+
0+3-4-20.*4 :/*/@:% will have the opportunity to send their own
members to the $ouse of /epresentatives#


((((((((((((((((((


$HAT IS ONE RESULT O# THIS INTERPRETATION'


IT WILL MA=E THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM HONEST AND
TRANSPARENT.


)his interpretation will also ma6e the party"list system honest and
transparent% eliminating the need for relatively well"o? party"list
representatives to masquerade as =wallowing in poverty%
destitution and in'rmity%3 even as they attend sessions in
Congress riding in -A<s#


((((((((((((((


CAN POLITICAL PARTIES PARTICIPATE IN THE PART"-LIST
ELECTIONS'


NO, EXCEPT THROUGH THEIR SECTORAL WINGS.


THEY CANNOT DIRECTLY PARTICIPATE BECAUSE THEY
NEITHER LAC= WELL DEFINED POLITICAL CONSTITUENCIES
NOR REPRESENT MARGINALIZED AND UNDDERPRESENTED
SECTORS.


)he ma5or political parties are those that 'eld candidates in the
legislative district elections# Ma5or political parties cannot
participate in the party"list elections since they neither lac6 =well"
de'ned political constituencies3 nor represent =marginali.ed and
underrepresented3 sectors# T9B(, 89) /-8.3/-, 35 5)=.3/-,
+-58.)( B/0)5 89) +-582-,.(8 (2(8)4 -5)
/)7)((-5.,2 893() 89-8 03 /38 1),3/= 83 4-M35 +3,.8.7-,
+-58.)(# )his automatically reserves the national and regional
parties under the party"list system to those who =lac6 well"
de'ned political constituencies%3 giving them the opportunity to
have members in the $ouse of /epresentatives#


((((((((((((((((((((


$H" ARE POLITICAL PARTIES ALLO$ED TO PARTICIPATE IN
THE PART" LIST ELECTIONS THROUGH THEIR SECTORAL
$INGS'


TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO WOR= ASSIDUOUSLY IN
EXTENDING THEIR CONSTITUENCIES TO THE
'MARGINALIZED AND UNDERREPRESENTED( AND TO
THOSE WHO 'LAC= WELL-DEFINED POLITICAL
CONSTITUENCIES.(


)he 1*+, Constitution and /#;# :o# ,*>1 allow ma5or political
parties to participate in party"list elections so as to encourage
them to wor6 assiduously in e4tending their constituencies to the
=marginali.ed and underrepresented3 and to those who =lac6
well"de'ned political constituencies#3 )he participation of ma5or
political parties in party"list elections must be geared towards the
entry% as members of the $ouse of /epresentatives% of the
=marginali.ed and underrepresented3 and those who =lac6 well"
de'ned political constituencies%3 giving them a voice in
lawma6ing#


)hus% to participate in party"list elections% a ma5or political party
that 'elds candidates in the legislative district elections must
organi.e a sectoral wing% li6e a labor% peasant% 'sherfol6% urban
poor% professional% women or youth wing% that can register under
the party"list system#


(((((((((((((((((((


$HAT IS THE REHUIREMENT #OR A SECTORAL $ING'


IT MUST MUST HAVE ITS OWN CONSTITUTION, BY-LAWS,
PLATFORM OR PROGRAM OF GOVERNMENT, OFFICERS AND
MEMBERS, A MA<ORITY OF WHOM MUST BELONG TO THE
SECTOR REPRESENTED.


-uch sectoral wing of a ma5or political party must have its own
constitution% by"laws% platform or program of government% oBcers
and members% a ma5ority of whom must belong to the sector
represented# )he sectoral wing is in itself an independent sectoral
party% and is linked to a major political party through a coalition#
)his lin6age is allowed by -ection 3 of /#;# :o# ,*>1% which
provides that =component parties or organi.ations of a coalition
may participate independently 7in party"list elections8 provided
the coalition of which they form part does not participate in the
party"list system#3

-ection * of /#;# :o# ,*>1 prescribes the quali'cations of party"
list nominees# )his provision prescribes a special quali'cation only
for the nominee from the youth sector#


((((((((((((((((


$HAT IS THE HUALI#ICATION O# A PART"-LIST NOMINEE'


HE MUST BE A BONA-FIDE MEMBER OF THE PARTY OR
ORGANIZATION WHICH HE OR SHE SEE=S TO REPRESENT.


IN THE CASE OF SECTORAL PARTIES, TO BE A BONA FIDE
PARTY-LIST NOMINEE ONE MUST EITHER BELONG TO THE
SECTOR REPRESENTED, OR HAVE A TRAC= RECORD OF
ADVOCACY FOR SUCH SECTOR.


; party"list nominee must be a bona fde member of the party or
organi.ation which he or she see6s to represent# I/ 89) 7-() 36
()7835-, +-58.)(, 83 1) - >-1* A+3 +-582-,.(8 /34./)) 3/)
4B(8 ).89)5 1),3/= 83 89) ()7835 5)+5)()/8)0, 35 9-F) -
85-7N 5)7350 36 -0F37-72 635 (B79 ()7835#

(((((((((((((((

$HAT ARE NO$ THE NE$ PARAMETERS TO E #OLLO$ED
" COMELEC'


THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS:


1. THREE DIFFERENT GROUPS MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE
PARTY-LIST SYSTEM: (1) NATIONAL PARTIES OR
ORGANIZATIONS, (!) REGIONAL PARTIES OR
ORGANIZATIONS, AND (") SECTORAL PARTIES OR
ORGANIZATIONS.


!. NATIONAL PARTIES OR ORGANIZATIONS AND REGIONAL
PARTIES OR ORGANIZATIONS DO NOT NEED TO ORGANIZE
ALONG SECTORAL LINES AND DO NOT NEED TO
REPRESENT ANY 'MARGINALIZED AND
UNDERREPRESENTED( SECTOR.


". POLITICAL PARTIES CAN PARTICIPATE IN PARTY-LIST
ELECTIONS PROVIDED THEY REGISTER UNDER THE PARTY-
LIST SYSTEM AND DO NOT FIELD CANDIDATES IN
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT ELECTIONS. A POLITICAL PARTY,
WHETHER MA<OR OR NOT, THAT FIELDS CANDIDATES IN
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT ELECTIONS CAN PARTICIPATE IN
PARTYLIST ELECTIONS ONLY THROUGH ITS SECTORAL
WING THAT CAN SEPARATELY REGISTER UNDER THE PARTY-
LIST SYSTEM. THE SECTORAL WING IS BY ITSELF AN
INDEPENDENT SECTORAL PARTY, AND IS LIN=ED TO A
POLITICAL PARTY THROUGH A COALITION.


). SECTORAL PARTIES OR ORGANIZATIONS MAY EITHER BE
'MARGINALIZED AND UNDERREPRESENTED( OR LAC=ING
IN 'WELL-DEFINED POLITICAL CONSTITUENCIES.( IT IS
ENOUGH THAT THEIR PRINCIPAL ADVOCACY PERTAINS TO
THE SPECIAL INTEREST AND CONCERNS OF THEIR SECTOR.
THE SECTORS THAT ARE 'MARGINALIZED AND
UNDERREPRESENTED( INCLUDE LABOR, PEASANT,
FISHERFOL=, URBAN POOR, INDIGENOUS CULTURAL
COMMUNITIES, HANDICAPPED, VETERANS, AND OVERSEAS
B! RULE B) IN RELATION TO RULE B#, 1$$& RULES OF CIVIL
PROCEDURE. WOR=ERS. THE SECTORS THAT LAC= 'WELL-
DEFINED POLITICAL CONSTITUENCIES( INCLUDE
PROFESSIONALS, THE ELDERLY, WOMEN, AND THE YOUTH.


#. A MA<ORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF SECTORAL PARTIES
OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT REPRESENT THE
'MARGINALIZED AND UNDERREPRESENTED( MUST
BELONG TO THE 'MARGINALIZED AND
UNDERREPRESENTED( SECTOR THEY REPRESENT.
SIMILARLY, A MA<ORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF SECTORAL
PARTIES OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT LAC= 'WELL-DEFINED
POLITICAL CONSTITUENCIES( MUST BELONG TO THE
SECTOR THEY REPRESENT. THE NOMINEES OF SECTORAL
PARTIES OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT REPRESENT THE
'MARGINALIZED AND UNDERREPRESENTED,( OR THAT
REPRESENT THOSE WHO LAC= 'WELL-DEFINED POLITICAL
CONSTITUENCIES,( EITHER MUST BELONG TO THEIR
RESPECTIVE SECTORS, OR MUST HAVE A TRAC= RECORD
OF ADVOCACY FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECTORS. THE
NOMINEES OF NATIONAL AND REGIONAL PARTIES OR
ORGANIZATIONS MUST BE BONA-FIDE MEMBERS OF SUCH
PARTIES OR ORGANIZATIONS.


B. NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND SECTORAL PARTIES OR
ORGANIZATIONS SHALL NOT BE DIS;UALIFIED IF SOME OF
THEIR NOMINEES ARE DIS;UALIFIED, PROVIDED THAT
THEY HAVE AT LEAST ONE NOMINEE WHO REMAINS
;UALIFIED.