By Leslie Ann G. Aquino
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the delisting of 24 party-list organizations for failing to participate in the last two poll exercises, their failure to obtain a seat, or both in the last two exercises.
This means that they are now disqualified from participating in the May, 2019 midterm polls.
“The Commission resolves to delist and cancel the registration of the said party-list groups, organizations, and coalitions,” the Comelec said in Resolution No 10273.
Of the said number, the 18 party-list groups ordered delisted for failing to get at least two percent of the votes cast for the party list elections and failure to obtain a seat in the second round of seat allocation for the party list system in the last two preceding elections are the following:
Disabled/PWD, Sanlakas, Abante Retirees, 1-Abilidad, Piston, Ale, Ang Prolife, AtingGuro, UmalabKa, Ama, Amor Seaman, 1-Aalalay, Mtm, Phils, AngKasangga, Agham, Migrante, Awat Mindanao, and 1-Pabahay.
The four party-list groups that have been delisted due to their failure to participate in the last two elections are:ARCAPP, Bida, Chinoy, Sabod, and WPI.
Cocofed, on the other hand, has been delisted due to its failure to obtain a seat in the 2010 and 2013 elections as well as its failure to participate in the 2016 polls.
The Comelec said party-list groups ordered delisted may still appeal the ruling.
“Any party-list group adversely affected by the Resolution may file forreconsideration 10 days from notice thereof,” said the Comelec.
Based on the Party-List System Act, the Comelec may cancel a party-list organization’s registration if it fails to participate in the last two preceding elections or fails to obtain at least two percent of the votes cast under the party-list system in the two preceding elections.