Comelec bans replacement of party-list nominees

MANILA, Philippines - Giving a seat to another in the party-list is no longer acceptable as far as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is concerned.

To prevent unqualified candidates from taking over a congressional post, the Comelec has barred party-list (PL) representatives from resigning to allow another nominee to fill the vacant seat.

In a resolution, the Comelec has effectively disallowed term-sharing among party-list members in the middle of the three-year term.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said under the new rules, only untimely death or disqualification of the sitting nominees shall be considered as reasonable grounds to replace the representatives.

“We are now outlawing nominee replacements without valid reason,” Jimenez disclosed.

The Comelec requires party-list groups to submit a maximum of five names as their nominees who are listed from the first to fifth nominees prior to the elections.

The party-list group that garnered at least two percent of the total votes during the polls is entitled to at least one congressional seat or up to a maximum of three seats based on their rankings.

The Comelec, however, observed that some party-list representatives after assuming post would eventually resign in favor of another nominee.

“The term-sharing policy is usually used internally within the (PL) organization. However there would be instances that a representative would resign to accommodate a nominee, which in effect will result to term- sharing. We are now making it explicit that those kinds of arrangements would not be allowed,” Jimenez explained in a mix of Filipino and English.

Jimenez said the poll body adopted the new rule to prevent possible infiltration of “unqualified” nominees through term-sharing.

In past elections, some party-list candidates were accused that they do not truly represent the marginalized group.

Requirements for eligibility include documentary evidences to prove track record of participating in party-list activities; proofs adhering to the group’s advocacies; and certification of being a bona-fide member at least 90 days prior to elections.