Delisted party-list groups may qualify in 2022 polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the 24 party-list groups that have been delisted recently may still qualify for 2022 elections, once they are reaccredited.

“The 24 party-lists delisted under Resolution No. 10273 dated March 19 cannot run in the 2019 elections. But they can run in 2022, if they have been granted new registration/accreditation,” Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said in her Twitter account @commrguanzon.

But, she said, Comelec Resolution No. 10273 also provides that any "party-list groups, organizations, and coalitions adversely affected by our Resolution may file a reconsideration with the Clerk of the Commission 10 days from notice hereof."

Earlier, the poll body ordered the delisting of 24 party-list organizations for failing to participate in the last two poll exercises, failure to obtain at least two percent of the votes cast for the party-list system and failure to obtain a seat in the second round of seat allocation for the party-list system in the last two preceding polls.

Those delisted for failing to participate in the last two poll exercises are ARCAPP, BIDA, CHINOY, SABOD and WPI.

Party-list groups ordered delisted for failing to get at least two percent of the votes cast for the party list elections and failure to obtain a seat in the second round of seat allocation for the party list system in the last two preceding elections are DISABLED/PWD, SANLAKAS, ABANTE RETIREES, 1-ABILIDAD, PISTON, ALE, ANG PROLIFE, ATING GURO, UMALAB KA, AMA, AMOR SEAMAN, 1-AALALAY, MTM PHILS, ANG KASANGGA, AGHAM, MIGRANTE, AWAT MINDANAO and 1-PABAHAY.

COCOFED, on the other hand, has been delisted due to its failure to obtain a seat in the second round of seat allocation for the partylist system in the 2010 and 2013 elections as well as its failure to participate in the 2016 polls.

Based on the Party-List System Act, the COMELEC may cancel an organization’s registration if it fails to participate in the last two preceding elections or fails to obtain at least two percent of the votes cast under the party-list system in the two preceding elections.