Party-list proclamations in 10 days–comelec
But the poll chief says they will have to agree on what to do with the votes received by the 12 partylist groups that they disqualified under the new accreditation guidelines issued by the Supreme Court
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) gave a self-imposed deadline of 10 days to finish the canvassing and proclamation of the 58 duly-elected party-list representatives.
But Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said the poll body, which is also acting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), must settle what to do with the votes received by the 12 party-list groups that they disqualified under the new accreditation guidelines issued by the Supreme Court.
These groups are Agapay ng Indigenous Peoples Rights Alliance,Inc. (A-Ipra); Abang Lingkod Party-List (Abang Lingkod); Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (Anad); Ang Galing Pinoy (AG); Atong Paglaum, Inc. (Atong Paglaum); Kaagapay ng Nagkakaisang Agilang Pilipinong Magsasaka (KAP); Coalition of Senior Citizens in the Philippines, Inc. (Senior Citizens); Social Movement for Active Reform and Transparency (Smart); 1st Kabalikat ng Bayan Ginhawang Sangkatauhan (1st Kabagis); The True Marcos Loyalist (for God, Country and People) Association of the Philippines, Inc. (Bantay); Philippine Coconut Producers Federation, Inc. (Ccocofed); and Binhi-Partido ng mga Magsasaka Para sa mga Magsasaka (Binhi).
“We are going to meet early to discuss certain amendatory rules to speed up the process. At the same time, we are also waiting for the data on the 12 disqualified groups so we can officially settle their issues,” said Brillantes on Saturday.
Brillantes said they are anticipating more problems in the party-list race.
Last week, the NBOC suspended the canvassing for partylist following numerous inquiries and clarifications from its lawyers.
The suspension also resulted in the proclamation of 12 winning senatorial bets five days after the May 13 midterm elections.
Meanwhile, the proclamation of winning local candidates is almost complete.
“We did not suspend the local proclamation so it’s ongoing. We also did not receive any report that questions the local proclamations,” said Comelec Commissioner Lucenito Tagle.