The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is eyeing to cancel the registration of 39 party-list groups ahead of the May 2022 national and local polls.
The poll body cited the failure to obtain at least two percent of the votes cast for the party-list system, failure to obtain a seat in the second round of seat allocation for the party-list system in the last two preceding elections, and failure to participate in the last two-preceding elections as reasons.
The 30 groups being considered for cancellation after failing to obtain at least two percent of the votes cast for the party-list system and for failing 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:
Alay Buhay Community Development Inc. (Alay Buhay), Adhikaing Tinataguyod ng Kooperatiba (Ating Koop), Alliamce of Volunteer Educators (AVE), Abakada Guro (Abakada), Barangay Natin (Banat), Abante Mindanao Inc. (Abamin), Append Inc. (Append), Ang Nars Inc.(Ang Nars), Ang Tao Muna at Bayan (Tao Muna), Ako An Bisaya, Alliance of Natio al Urban Poor Organizations Assembly Inc. (Anupa), Confederatiin of Non-stock Savings and Loan Association Inc. (Consla), Academicians, Students and Educators Alliance Inc. (ASEAN), Amepa OFW Access Center Inc. (Amepa OFW), Federation of International Cable TV and Telecommunications Associations Inc. (FICTAP), Global Workers and Family Federation Inc. (Global), Kaisahan ng mga Maliliit na Magsasaka (KMM), Movement for Economic Transformation and Righteous Opportunitues (Metro), Partido Manggagawa (PM), Sandigan ng mga Manggagawa sa Konstruksyon (Samako), Sinag Tungo sa Kaunlaran (Sinag), Tanggol Maralita Inc. (Ito Ang Tama), Tinderong Pinoy Party, Tribal Communities Association of the Philippines (TRICAP), Union of Nationalist Democratic Filipino Organization (UNIDO), Alliance of Philippine Fishing Federations Inc. (ALL-FISH), Awareness of Keepers of the Environment Inc. (Awake), Kapatirang Magmamais ng Pilipinas Inc. (Kamais), Partido ng Bayan ang Bida (PBB), and One Bagong Ahapo ng Pilipinas (1-Ahapo).
The nine party-list groups up for cancellation after failing to participate in the last two-preceding elections are: Advance Community Development in New Generation (Ading), 1-A Action Moral and Values Recovery Reform of the Philippines Inc. (1-AAMOVER), Una ang Pamilya (Ang Pamilya), Ang Galing Pinoy (AG), Alagad Party-list (Alagad), Allian e for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD), Kapatiran ng mga Nakulong na Walang Sala (Kakusa), Kalikasan Party-list, and Usa An Aton Nahigugma Nga Iroy Nga Tuna (1-Aani).
Based on Republic Act No. 7941, the Commission may, motu proprio or upon verified complaint of any interested party, remove or cancel, after due notice and hearing, the registration of any party-list group organization or coalition for its failure to participate in the last two preceding elections, or fails to obtain at least two percent of votes cast under the party-list system in the two preceding elections.
Comelec Resolution No. 9366 also states that only party-lists duly registered with the Commission, and which have manifested their desire to participate in the party-list election, may participate in the party-list elections.
"In performance of this mandate, we are notifying the following party-list organizations that their respective registrations are being considered for removal or cancellation by the Commission," the Comelec said in a Notice dated February 5.