Comelec sets election schedules

CEBU, Philippines - Duly-registered party-list groups have until the end of the month to signify their interest to participate in the 2013 elections after the Commission on Elections have slated May 31 as the last day for any party-list group to file their intent to participate in the coming polls.

Aside from the deadline of registration of party-lists which was last March 30, these are the first two schedules listed in the calendar of activities for the 2013 elections recently received by the Cebu Provincial Commission on Election.

Apart from the activities, Comelec, under Resolution 9385, also resolved to prescribe the periods of certain prohibited acts in connection with the elections.

Section 5, Rule 1 of Comelec Resolution No. 9366 dated February 21, 2012 provided last March 30 as the last day to file petitions for registration under the party-list system of representation.

Provincial Comelec Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said the petitions will undergo assessment from the Comelec en Banc before they are declared as duly-registered party-list group.

“Tan-awon if marginalized sector ba sila, (They will be evaluated if they are representing the marginalized sector.)” Castillano said, adding that previous party-list groups which did not meet the standard number of votes are automatically deleted from the list.

May 31 is the last day for any party-list group duly registered under the party-list system of representation, or with pending petition for registration, to file a Manifestation of Intent to Participate, with its list of at least five nominees.

Effective May 13, 2012, the transfer, promotion, extension, recall or otherwise movement of officers or members of the foreign service corps from their current posts or positions is already prohibited.

From September 1 to 30, political parties may hold political conventions to select and nominate official candidates for all elective positions before the filing of Certificates of Candidacy which will be from October 1 to 5.

Overseas workers have until Oct. 15 to file applications for transfer of registration records from overseas registry to the local registry. Including local voters, they have until Oct. 31 to file applications for registration/certification as overseas voters.

On Nov. 19, the Election Registration Board will have their last quarterly meeting to approve or disapprove applications for local registration.

The election period starts from Jan. 13 to June 12, 2013, with several prohibitions enlisted including the alteration of territory of a precinct, carrying of firearms, and using bodyguards, among others.

Campaign period for candidates and party-list groups starts on Feb. 12.

The testing and sealing of Precinct Count Optical Scan machines will be held on May 6 before the May 13 elections.

Castillano said there were a few additions to this May 13, 2012 election calendar of activities but it is basically the same with the previous election calendar. — (FREEMAN)