Party-list nominees can stay longer in posts

MANILA, Philippines - Government officials who will be running in the party-list elections can stay a little longer in their posts.

In a resolution, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) opted to give public officials eyeing party-list posts until Oct. 5 to resign.

Comelec said any government officer in non-elective office, including active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other officers and employees in government-owned and controlled corporations, who accepts a nomination from a party-list group, shall be considered ipso facto resigned from his office upon the last day of filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs).

According to the Comelec, would-be party-list nominees have more than 120 days to stay in their offices since the last day for any party-list group looking to participate in the May 13, 2013 party-list elections to file a Manifestation of Intent to Participate and their list of at least five nominees on May 31.

The period for filing of COCs for all elective posts runs from Oct. 1 to 5.

In the last elections, the Comelec required nominees to give up their public posts upon acceptance of the nomination.

Under new rules, “nominees, who are holding elective office, may continue to hold office even after the acceptance of their nomination.”