Comelec reminder on party registration
Political parties which did not field official candidates in the last two national and local elections may still file their petitions for registration for the May 2019 midterm elections until July 16.
The Commission on Elections (Coemelc) said that since the July 15 deadline will fall on a Sunday,submissions of petitions for registration of political parties will be entertained until 5 P.M.of July 16, Monday.
Petitions for registration may be submitted before the Clerk of the Commission. A R10,100 fee will be required. Earlier, the poll body said political parties which did not field official candidates in the last two national and local elections should register anew if they plan to participate in the midterm
elections.
Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez explained that under their Rules of Procedure, the failure to field official candidates in the last two preceding elections or failure of their candidates to obtain at least five percent of the votes cast in the last two preceding elections is a ground to cancel the registration of any political party or coalition of political parties.
As to the registration of coalition of political parties, the deadline for the filing of petitions is still on August 31.
Section 61 of the Omnibus Election Code states “any organized group of persons seeking registration as a national or regional political party may file with the Commission a verified petition attaching thereto its constitution and by laws, pltform or program of government and such other relevant information as may be required by the
Commission. The Commission shall, after due notice and hearing, resolve the petition within ten days from the date it is submitted for decision.”