63 party-list groups to be proclaimed today

MANILA, Philippines — All the 63 winning party-list groups are set to be proclaimed this afternoon, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Acting Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said each of the winning party-list groups is allowed to have two representatives to attend the proclamation at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

“Full proclamation of the party-list winners to be held May 26 at 4 p.m.,” Laudiangco said.

At a press briefing, Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said the poll body intends to proclaim all the 63 winning party-list groups since they will just have to canvass the results from Lanao del Sur.

“I suppose these are already complete, 173 certificates of canvass have been received. It seems unfair for us to make partial (proclamations). I doubt the NBOC (National Board of Canvassers) will opt for partial proclamation,” Garcia disclosed.

But unlike in the proclamation of the 12 winning senators, Garcia said the representatives of the winning party-list groups will no longer be allowed to deliver speeches.

While there are disqualification cases against certain party-list groups, he said the Comelec expects to resolve them immediately.

“There are many pending cases with the Comelec regarding the disqualification of party-list organizations and/or disqualification of the nominees,” Garcia said, adding that the Comelec will not issue a certificate of proclamation for these groups.

“However, if the disqualification or cancellation petition is only against a member or nominee, we will proclaim (the party-list organization) and issue the certificate of proclamation,” he said.

After the proclamation of all the winners in the last elections, Garcia said the next Congress could probably consider review and possible amendment to the Partylist System Act.

“Maybe, again, it is high time that our Congress considers making changes to RA 7941. This way, the Comelec would know how to compute the (number of) seats. Remember, the SC (Supreme Court) will always interpret a law,” he said.