File photo of a ballot.

The STAR / Krizjohn Rosales, file

 

MANILA, Philippines — An election watchdog said around 70% of party-list groups running in the May polls are being used by political clans, big businesses and state interests as a “backdoor to further entrench their political and economic interests.”

 

An analysis by Kontra Daya revealed that at least 120 of 177 party-list groups are identified with political clans and big businesses, have incumbent local officials, connections with the government and military, unknown or unclear advocacies and representations, and pending court cases and criminal charges.

 

The group said that at least 44 party-lists groups are controlled by political clans, at least 21 have connections with big businesses, at least 34 have unknown or unclear advocacies and representations, at least 32 have links to the government or the military, at least 26 have incumbent local officials running as nominees, and at least 19 have pending court cases or criminal charges.

 

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/03/03/2164655/election-watchdog-flags-domination-rich-powerful-party-list-race

 

-- © Copyright Philstar 2022-03-03

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