Comelec names Lakas-CMD as dominant party; NP as dominant minority

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has declared Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats as the dominant majority party and the Nacionalista Party (NP) as the dominant minority party for the upcoming May 2025 polls.

This was according to Resolution No. 11119, promulgated on March 5 and shared by Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia.

It also disclosed the major political parties, namely:

• Akbayan Citizens Action Party
• Aksyon Demokratiko
• Liberal Party of the Philippines
• Nationalist People's Coalition
• National Unity Party
• Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan
• Partido Demokratikong Reporma
• Partido Federal ng Pilipinas
• United Nationalist Alliance

Under the law, it is stated that the Comelec shall determine the dominant majority party, dominant minority party, and 10 major political parties which shall be entitled to one official watcher in every polling place and canvassing center.

The poll body shall also furnish the dominant majority party and dominant minority party with copies of the election returns and certificates of canvass. Watchers of the dominant majority and dominant minority party shall be given preference if the space in the canvassing/consolidation center is insufficient.

"Sila po ay may priority sa watchers sa loob ng presinto. Kalimitan ang watcher sa presinto watcher ng citizens' arm, at watchers ng dominant majority at dominant minority (You have priority as watchers inside the precinct. Typically, the watchers in the precinct are from the citizens' arm, as well as those representing the dominant majority and dominant minority)," Garcia explained.

"Sila rin po ay may priority sa canvassing venue. Therefore 'di sila pwedeng i-deprive ng kanilang espasyo sa canvassing venue sa bawat bayan, bawat siyudad, bawat probinsya, at kahit sa national canvassing may representante, lawyer ang dominant majority and dominant minority party (They are given priority at the canvassing venue. Therefore, they cannot be deprived of their space at the canvassing venue in every town, city, province, and even at the national canvassing, where representatives or lawyers from both the dominant majority and dominant minority parties are present)," he added.

Garcia also said that the dominant majority and dominant minority parties have their own respective servers, which means results from precincts will be directly received by them.

According to the poll body, a total of 11 political parties applied for accreditation for the determination of the dominant majority party and dominant minority party for the upcoming elections on May 12.

They were ranked in accordance with their history, the number of incumbent elective officials, and their organized chapters in cities, municipalities, and provinces in the country.

Meanwhile, the poll body stated in the resolution that among the 15 parties that filed their petitions for accreditation as major local parties, only 14 have been found to have complied with the criteria set forth by law and accordingly declared as the sole major local party of their respective regions, provinces, cities for purposes of the said elections which are:

1. Arangkada San Joseno Inc. (ARANGKADA) for the City of San Jose del Monte, Province of Bulacan;
2. Asenso Manileno Movement (ASENSO MANILENO) for the City of Manila;
3. Bileg Party (BILEG) for the Province of Ilocos Sur;
4. Filipino Rights Protection Advocates of Manila Movement (FRONTLINERS ANG BIDA) for the National Capital Region;
5. Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL), for the City of Davao;
6. Kusog Bikolandia (KB) for Region V;
7. Malayang Kilusan ng mga Mamamayang Zambaleno (MAKIMAZA), for the Province of Zambales;
8. Partido Balikatan ng Bataan (BALIKATAN) for the Province of Bataan;
9. Partido Navoteno (NAVOTENO) for the City of Navotas;
10. 1Serbisyo sa Bayan Party (SBP) for Quezon City;
11. Solidarity for Transformation, Advancement Nationalism Towards a Dynamic, United, and Progressive Quezon Province (STAND-UP OR STANQ) for the Province of Quezon;
12. Together as One (TAO), for Region Il;
13. Unang Sigaw Partido ng Pagbabago (UNANG SIGAW), for the Province of Nueva Ecija; and 
14. Umpungan ng Mapagmalasakit Party (UMP) for the Province of Maguindanao.