by MA Loterte

Legazpi City (29 July) -- Representatives of the Ako Bicol political party can now buckle up for work at the Congress following the proclamation of the Commission of Election (Comelec) shortly before President Benigno Aquino III delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 26.

Comelec has issued the Certificate of Proclamation declaring the Ako Bicol to have obtained the required percentage of votes under the party-list system of representation to the House of Representatives and will serve until June 30, 2013. The Bicolano regional political party representatives include Christopher Co, Atty. Rodel Batocabe and Atty. Alfredo Garbin Jr.

Batocabe averred the Comelec decision came five hours before PNoy's SONA.

It can be recalled that the proclamation of Ako Bicol had been put in abeyance for a couple of months after militant organizations in the region, led by Bayan Muna, petitioned Comelec to disenfranchise the former since the political party does not represent marginalized sector.

Batocabe furthered "Ako Bicol would like to expressed its utmost gratitude to all supporters, Bicolanos most especially, who never vacillate their support and continue to pray for the Bicolano home grown political party."

"The decision came unexpected on this date (Monday) and we were no longer able to attend P-Noy's SONA, yet with this development we can now commence with our job to serve the people and our pursuit for the betterment of all Bicolanos," he added.

Among those who upheld the decision favoring Ako Bicol include Comelec Chair Jose Melo and Commissioners Rene Sarmiento, Lucenito Tagle, Nicodemo Ferrer, Armando Velasco, Elias Yusop and Gregorio Larrazabal.