Accreditation of political parties set on Mar 15

The Commission on Elections is set to hear the petition for accreditation of at least 35 political parties on March 15 at the Comelec Session Hall in Manila.

In its Resolution No. 7824 dated February 20, the Comelec said the petition will enable the poll body to determine the six major political parties to be entitled with one of the six principal watchers in the May 14 elections.

The Comelec will determine the accreditation of the six major political parties through the following: (1) established record of all parties, coalition or groups that now compose them and taking into account, among other things, their showing in past elections; (2) the number of incumbent elective officials belonging to them; (3) their identifiable political organizations and strengths as evidenced by their organized chapters; (4) the ability to fill a complete slate of candidates from the municipal level to the position of president; (5) other analogous circumstances that may determine their relative organizations and strengths.

The resolution also stated that political parties are required to submit their position paper five days after the hearing with pertinent data and statistics to support their arguments.

The political parties whose petitions are set to be heard are Aksyon Demokratiko (Aksyon), Abag Promdi, Partido Para Sa Demokratikong Reporma (PDR), Lapiang Manggagawa (LM), Akbayan! (Citizens' Action Party), Anak Pawis, Alliance For Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD), Asenso Pilipino Party, Bangon Pilipinas (BP), Bayan Muna, Bigkis Pinoy Movement (BIGKIS), Buhay Hayaan Yumabong (BUHAY), Gabaybayan, Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (KAMPI), Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino (KDP), Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL), Kilusan Para sa Pambansang Pagpapanibago (BAGO), Laban Para sa Kapayapaan, Katarungan at Kaunlaran (KKK), Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), United Opposition (UNO) Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP LABAN), Lakas-CMD Party, Liberal Party (LP), People's Reform Party (PRP), Nacionalista Party (NP), National Alliance for Democracy (NAD), Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), Organized Support for the Movement to Enhance the National Agenda (OSMEÑA), Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP), Partido Nacionalista ng Pilipinas (PNP), Philippine Green Republican Party (PGRP), Rizalist Party (RP), Social Justice Society (SJS) and Sulong! Barangay Movement. - Gregg M. Rubio/LPM