Fewer groups seen joining party-list polls

MANILA, Philippines — Fewer organizations want to participate in the May 2025 party-list elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported on Wednesday.

The commission received a total of 137 Manifestations of Intent to Participate when the submission of required documents from registered and existing party-list groups ended in December 2023.

However, Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said the number of groups that submitted manifestation of intent is still not the actual number participating in next year’s polls as the final list will still be determined by the poll body.

Based on the Comelec list, some organizations have filed more than one manifestation of intent.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia stressed that each organization must file only one manifestation of intent to participate in the elections.

“If more than one was filed, it means there is internal conflict in the party or organization. If there is an intra-party dispute that will be resolved by the Comelec,” Garcia explained.

Comelec previously set the deadline for the filing of petitions for registration of party lists on Dec. 29, 2023.

Party-list organizations are required to file their Manifestation of Intent to Participate in the immediately succeeding party-list elections alongside their Petitions for Registration with the Comelec.

The commission is also requiring both existing as well as registering party-list organizations to submit their names.

An existing or registering party shall file a complete list of at least five nominees and their corresponding certificates of nomination and acceptance with the Comelec law department within the same period designated for the filing of Certificates of Candidacy.

Under existing rules on party-list representation, only organized groups duly registered with the commission, and have filed their manifestation of intent to participate may join the party-list elections.

A total of 177 party-list organizations participated in the 2022 elections.