Comelec cancels PBBM registration for misrepresentation

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division canceled the registration of Pilipinas Babangon Muli (PBBM) party-list for Eleksyon 0205 due to alleged misrepresentation.

Lawyer Jess Christian Ramirez filed a petition claiming PBBM misrepresented itself as representing Calabarzon while fielding nominees from outside the region, violating Republic Act No. 7941 and Comelec Resolution No. 9366.

The Comelec found that none of its ten nominees or officers are actually from Calabarzon; eight nominees turned out to be from Abra, one from Cagayan, and one from Quezon City.

PBBM's president lied during the petition hearing on April 19, 2024, claiming all recruited members were from Calabarzon when in reality they were not, leading to the Comelec granting Ramirez’s petition.

The ruling stated that PBBM made 'untruthful statements' warranting the cancellation of its registration and falsely suggested an association with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

In its defense, PBBM argued having nominees from outside Calabarzon does not disqualify them but Comelec countered this by highlighting their previous claims about being a regional party representing CALABARZON.

The commission emphasized that the lack of qualified nominees from the region disqualifies PBBM from participating in the elections.