Comelec wants no more than 150 party-list groups in 2013 polls

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is aiming to limit the number of party-list organizations that will participate in the 2013 midterm elections to 120 to 150 groups.

But in doing so, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes gave assurance that the poll body would not trample on the rights of marginalized and under-represented sectors to field their representatives in the coming elections.

“We are thoroughly screening the applications (for accreditation) of party-list groups. As long as you are qualified, I don’t think there will be a problem,” Brillantes said.

A total of 172 groups have sought accreditation with the Comelec to be able to run in next year’s elections.

By eliminating the unqualified organizations, Brillantes said the Comelec is hoping to shorten the ballots, not only to save money on ballot paper and ink, but for the convenience of voters.

In the 2010 polls, the ballots were 26 inches long with 187 party-list groups.

Up for grabs were 17,999 positions – from city/municipal councilors and vice mayor and mayor; provincial board member, vice governor and governor; congressmen, senators, vice president and president.

Republic Act 7941 or the Party-List System Act was passed in 1995 to enable “Filipino citizens belonging to the marginalized and underrepresented sectors, organizations and parties and who lack well-defined political constituents but who could contribute to the formulation and enactment of appropriate legislation that will benefit the nation as well to become members of the House of Representatives.”

The law states that party-list organizations shall comprise 20 percent of the total number of House members.

Brillantes added the Comelec is keeping a close watch on the party-list system to make sure that it would not be used by groups or individuals whose intention is to merely sneak into Congress.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 9366, a party-list group shall not be a “religious sect or denomination, organization or association organized for religious purposes; that it shall not advocate violence or unlawful means to achieve its goals; not adjunct or a project organized or an entity funded or assisted by the government; that it is not a foreign party or organization; that it does not receive support for partisan political purposes from any foreign government, foreign political party, foundation, organization, whether directly or indirectly, or through its officers or members, or indirectly through third parties; and the period of existence of petitioner... shall be at least one year at the time the petition (for accreditation) is filed.”