APPLICATIONS for party-list registration from 97 groups have been rejected by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for failing to meet the requirements.
In a social media post, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said the 97 petitions were rejected by the poll body's First and Second Divisions.
These dismissed petitions constitute about a third of the 292 total party-list applicants for the May 2022 elections.
Guanzon said no party-list applicants have been approved so far.
In an interview, Guanzon said the dismissals were due to different deficiencies in their respective applications.
"(They were) dismissed for failing to pay filing fee or insufficient in form and substance. For example, several petitioners did not list their officers and their addresses," said Guanzon.
Under the Party-List System Law, any organized group of persons may register as a party, organization or coalition for purposes of the party-list system by filing with the Comelec a petition stating its desire to participate in the party-list system.
In applying, they will need to attach their constitution, by-laws, platform or program of government, list of officers, coalition agreement and other relevant information as the Comelec may require, as well as publish the petition in at least two national newspapers of general circulation.
The Comelec may, motu proprio or upon verified complaint of any interested party, refuse the registration of any party, organization, or coalition if it is a religious sect or denomination, organization or association, or was organized for religious purposes, or advocates violence or unlawful means to seek its goal.
Also not allowed to run as a party-list are those that are foreign parties or organizations; is receiving support from any foreign government, foreign political party, foundation, organization for partisan election purposes; violates or fails to comply with laws, rules or regulations relating to elections; declares untruthful statements in its petition; and has ceased to exist for at least one year. (HDT / VoxPop Philippines)