Comelec: 111 party-list groups can run

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Commission on Elections chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. on Friday said that a total of 111 party-list groups can legitimately participate in Monday’s elections.

Brillantes said the total reached 111 after the commission accredited on Thursday three more party-list groups: 1-Utak, Pacyaw, and Pasang Masda.

“They qualified under the new parameters set by the Supreme Court. That’s the end. The party-list is complete,” Brillantes said in an interview.

He said that there were 123 party-list groups listed in the official ballots but the Comelec had decided to disqualify 23 of them.

Brillantes said supporters of these 12 party-list groups could still vote for them on Monday because the Supreme Court might eventually overrule the Comelec ruling disqualifying them.

“Since they are already in the ballot, they can still fight. But if we are sustained by Supreme Court, will will not count their votes. If we are reversed by the Suprme Court, we can probably proclaim them as winners,” he said.

The 12 disqualified groups who are still in the ballot include 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. (COCOFED); and Binhi-Partido ng mga Magsasaka Para sa mga Magsasaka (BINHI).

Meanwhile, the Comelec on Friday randomly chose the 234 cities and municipalities that would conduct a random manual audit of votes on Election Day.

The specific precincts will be randomly chosen on Sunday at the Philippine International Convention Center.