Comelec sets Nov 15 deadline for substitution of partylist nominees

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set the deadline of substitution of partylist nominees for the 2022 elections on November 15.

“In case of substitution of Party-List Nominees by reason of withdrawal, the deadline is on November 15, 2021. However, if it’s by reason of death or incapacity, substitution is allowed until mid-day of election day,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement on Thursday.

“If a nominee withdraws his acceptance, he is no longer eligible to be re-nominated by the same party or be nominated by other parties. If a nominee dies or becomes incapacitated, notice and proof of his death must be filed with the Comelec within ten days,” he added.

According to Jimenez, only in cases of valid withdrawal and substitution, or death or incapacity, may alteration in the order of nominees shall be allowed after filing. He said the name of the substitute-nominee shall also be placed last in the list.

Parties are also required to publish their new list of substitute-nominees, and to submit proof of publication to the Comelec.

“They have five days from the filing of the list of substitute-nominees to cause its publication and three days from publication to submit proof of said publication. No substitution is valid unless these requirements are complied with,” Jimenez further said.

He added that petitions to deny due course and/or cancellation of nomination of partylist nominees must be submitted within 10 days from publication, or within 10 days from the submission of proof of publication of substitute-nominees to the commission.

Meanwhile, petitions for disqualification of partylist nominees must be filed not later than the date of proclamation, according to the Comelec official.

“The Commission now has broader powers to disqualify or cancel the Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) of a nominee. At any time before proclamation, any nominee who is disqualified, ineligible, or lacks the qualification provided by law, or whose nomination is contrary to law and the rules, may be motu propio disqualified,” said Jimenez.

Comelec earlier said the deadline for filing petitions for registration and manifestation of intent to participate in registering party-list groups, organizations, and coalitions is on March 31 this year. The commission also set the same deadline for existing partylist groups, organizations, and coalitions to file their manifestation of intent to participate in the elections.

“Opposition to Petitions for Registration must be filed not later than the date when the case is submitted for resolution, while Petitions to Deny Due Course to a Manifestation of Intent to Participate must be filed within ten days from its date of publication,” said Jimenez.

“Within the same period designated for the filing of Certificates of Candidacy under the Calendar of Activities for the 2022 NLE (national and local elections), a complete list of at least five nominees for Party-List representatives and other required documents in Section 3 of Resolution No. 10690 must be filed with the COMELEC,” he added.

KGA