46 groups fill 59 party-list seats
Comelec Chair Andres Bautista smiles as lawyer Romeo Macalintal congratulates and acknowledges the poll body’s efforts in conducting the elections as the National Board of Canvassers completes the counting of votes on May 18. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE/INQUIRER
Forty-six groups were proclaimed winners in the party-list race by the Commission on Elections sitting as the National Board of Canvassers on Thursday night.
The proclamation for the party-list groups began at around 7 p.m. after the 12 winning senators were proclaimed.
Ako Bicol got 1,664,975 votes or 5.1423 percent, giving them three seats in the House of Representatives.
Gabriela Women’s Party got the second highest number of votes with 1,367,795 or 4.2245 percent, giving them two seats.
The other party-list groups that got two seats are: One Patriotic Coalition of Marginalized Nationals (1PACMAN), Act Teachers Party-list (ACT Teachers), Coalition of Associations of Senior Citizens in the Philippines (Senior Citizens), Kabalikat ng Mamamayan (Kabayan), Agri-Agra na Reporma para sa Magsasaka ng Pilipinas Movement (Agri), Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA), Buhay Hayaang Yumabong (Buhay), Abono Party-list (Abono), Anak Mindanao Party-list (AMIN), and Cooperative Natcco Network Party (Coop-Natcco).
The following groups are guaranteed with one seat: Akbayan, Bayan Muna, Agap, An Waray, Cibac, Aambis-Owa, Kalinga, A Teacher Inc., Yacap, Diwa, TUCP, Abang Lingkod, LPGMA, ALONA, 1-Sagip, Butil, Acts-OFW, Anakpawis, Ang Kabuhayan, Angkla, Mata, 1-Care, Anac-IP, ABS, Kabataan, BH, Aasenso, SBP, Magdalo, 1-Ang Edukasyon, Manila Teachers, Kusug Tausug, Aangat Tayo and Agbiag.
Before the NBOC adjourned, Gabriela filed a manifestation questioning the number of seats allocated to them.
In an interview, Gabriela party-list first nominee Emerenciana de Jesus said the women’s party should have been given three seats.
“Based on our computation, we should have had [an] additional seat. The [Comelec] en banc has accepted that this will be discussed. We’re looking forward to get the third seat,” De Jesus told INQUIRER.net.
The proclamation of the party-list groups ended the nine-day canvassing by the NBOC for the senatorial and party-list races which began on May 9. RC
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