Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has annulled the registration of the Pilipinas Babangon Muli party-list organization due to allegations of misrepresentation. The decision was based on findings that none of the party-list's 10 nominees are residents of Region 4-A (Calabarzon), which the organization claims to represent.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Comelec Second Division issued a 10-page ruling revealing that eight nominees reside in the province of Abra, one in Cagayan, and another in Quezon City. The absence of any nominees residing in the Calabarzon region disqualifies them from being considered bona fide members of a regional political party intended to represent Calabarzon. Consequently, this lack of qualified nominees violates the requirements set by law.

The ruling also highlighted that the party-list's previous assertions regarding its regional constituency within Calabarzon were contradicted by its own admissions. These "untruthful statements" were deemed sufficient to cancel its registration.

The ruling was prompted by a petition from lawyer Jess Christian Ramirez, who accused the party-list of misrepresenting itself as a regional political entity for Calabarzon while nominating individuals from outside the region. Additionally, Ramirez alleged that the group falsely implied an association with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Despite the ruling at the division level, the Pilipinas Babangon Muli party-list has the option to appeal by filing a motion for reconsideration with the Comelec en banc.