Malacañang said it will not stop the Magdalo group to seek a congressional seat.

Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez said every group and individual has right to aspire for an elective post as long as it is within the ambit of the Constitution.

Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago led by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV sought accreditation as a regional political party, along with 15 other party-lists groups.

“The greatest message they can give is giving up their guns for the ballots is always better. Malaya tayong mga Pilipino na magaspire (for an elective seat) as long as it is within the bounds of the law,” he said in a briefing.

The group’s legal counsel, Atty. Reynaldo Robles has expressed hopes that the Comelec would grant their petition for accreditation to represent marginalized sectors and advance good governance and fight graft and corruption.

The Magdalo group has initiated talks with opposition leaders, including Senators Mar Roxas, Manny Villar, Francis Escudero, and former president Joseph Estrada.

Petitions for registration and accreditation from over 250 party-lists and 50 political parties were filed at the Comelec.

Magdalo Secretary General Francisco Ashley Acedillo said they want to be known as a political party in order to bring their advocacy directly to the government.

“We understand that if we are to effect or pursue meaningful change in governance, you will have to be part of governance mechanism but we cannot do so if you are not elected,” he said at the sidelines of their hearing at the Comelec’s office in Intramuros, Manila.

But Acedillo mentioned the possibility of manifesting their intent to participate in the party-list race in the May 2010 polls.

“We may or we may not make a manifestation to be accredited as a party-list and participate in next years elections… if you ask me now, we are most inclined (to run as a party-list),” he said.