Comelec to limit crowd in proclamations

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will limit the number of people who will attend the proclamation of winning party-list groups in the May 9 polls.

"For the party-list group, it will be limited to just two," Comelec Acting Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said in a press briefing Friday, May 13.

For senators who will be proclaimed, he said, it will be the senatorelect plus three companions.

The Comelec also limited the number of companions of bets during the filing of the certificates of candidacy in October last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Definitely, the senators will be proclaimed ahead of the party-list as we really have to apply the computation (for PL)," he said.

"This is not a hard and fast rule. The en banc, the National Board of Canvassers, will still have to see upon the guidance of the oversight and the supervisory committee, if we can already include the party-list," added Laudiangco.

The Comelec en banc, sitting as the NBOC is currently canvassing the votes for senators and party-Lists at the Philippine International Convention Center Forum Tent in Pasay City.

Laudiangco said the fate of the party-list system is “within the wisdom and jurisdiction of Congress.”

President Duterte earlier called on the next administration to abolish the party-list system.

“Our constitutional mandate is administer all election laws,” he added.

“For as long as there is that law providing for the party-list system, we will comply with that,” he added. (With a report from Jeffrey G. Damicog)