Article by:
Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – A total of 164 party-list groups will participate in an electronic raffle on Dec. 10 to determine the order of their listing on the official ballot for the May 2022 polls.
The e-raffle will be held at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Session Hall on the eighth floor of the Palacio del Gobernador building in Intramuros, Manila at 10 a.m.
Data showed registration of 152 organizations have been approved while 12 are pending.
A total of 107 groups were also denied and their motions for reconsideration turned down, including 1-Abante Masang Pinoy Aasenso, Batang Pinoy, Ayuda sa may Kapansanan, Coalition of Concerned Workers, LGBTQ Plus, Organisasyong Nagsusulong ng Libreng Internet Ngayon sa Edukasyon, and Values Voice Philippines.
One authorized representative per party-list group, organization, or coalition shall be entitled to participate online. No representative shall be admitted in the physical venue.
No person, including counsel, shall be allowed to represent more than one group, organization, or coalition.
“Those with pending incidents, participation in the raffle is without prejudice to the resolution of pending incidents and the exclusion on the official ballot, if applicable,” the Comelec said in a statement.
The final listing will be published and posted in two newspapers of general circulation and in the official website within 15 days after the raffle.
At any time, the Comelec has the authority to exclude any group, organization, or coalition subject to the pending incidents.
The poll body said the list of authorized representatives should be submitted to the Office of the Clerk of the Commission (OCOC), with three specimen signatures, e-mail addresses, and signed by the group president or chairman in the absence of the secretary-general in a written authority under oath not later than Tuesday.
“The failure or neglect to submit a list shall be deemed as a waiver of the right to participate and observe the proceedings,” the Comelec added.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said those who have been denied may avail of other legal remedies, like securing a status quo ante order (SQAO).
In the event that an SQAO is issued after the e-raffle, the concerned party-lists may still be included in the official ballot.
"Those that can secure SQAOs will be put at the end of the line if it comes after the raffle. They will be added at the end and will be listed alphabetically," Jimenez said in a statement. (PNA)
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