MANILA, Philippines – The official canvassing for the partylist groups began Monday and could be finished within 10 days, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said.
“Next week Monday, anytime after Monday, we might finish [the consolidation of the votes], depending on how good [the partylists’] lawyers are,” Brillantes told reporters in a press briefing.
The canvassing for the partylists was suspended the previous week to finish the canvassing for the senatorial race. Brillantes said that it was also because of several issues raised by various stakeholders regarding the canvassing of votes for several disqualified partylist groups.
Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares motioned to have the votes for the 12 disqualified partylist groups considered as stray votes. Brillantes however maintained that the votes of the 12 party list groups will be counted separately in case they decide to appeal to the Supreme Court (SC) and are granted a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO).
“That’s why we’re taking their positions now. During the hearing this morning we asked them to submit their current position whether they would go to the SC or whether they have gone up to the SC already,” Brillantes said.
“If they don’t plan to go up to the SC then we can remove them already,” he said.
If the disqualified partylists manage to get a TRO or Status Quo Ante (SQA) order, “then we’ll have to include them,” Brillantes added.
Among the disqualified groups are: A-Ipra, Abang Lingkod, Anad, Ang Galing Pinoy, Atong Paglaum, Senior Citizens, Smart, 1st Kabagis, Bantay, Cocofed, and Binhi.
They had previously already appealed to the SC and it remanded their cases back to Comelec with new guidelines.
“We will have to tally [their votes] separately in case. If they are removed then ultimately we will [not count] their total votes,” Brillantes said.