Party-list roster finalized this week

MANILA, Philippines - Whether drug addicts and alcoholics may be allowed to participate in next year’s elections will be known this week.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday said it will likely complete the registration process for new party-list groups this week.

Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said after four weeks of marathon hearings, they expect to finish the registration process for the 172 party-list groups seeking accreditation with the Comelec.

One group representing addicts and alcoholics is seeking accreditation to be allowed to take part in the May 2013 polls.

Other groups seeking accreditation with the Comelec are the Ang Basura Movement or “Ako Ba,” Ako Ang Pasahero or “Ako Pa,” the Association of Local Athletics Entrepreneurs and Hobbyists or “Ala Eh,” Alagad ng Sining or “Asin,” the Asosasyon ng Mangangalakal or “Askal,” and the Partido ng Bayan ng mga Bida or “PBB.”

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes is hopeful they can wrap up the registration process of party-list groups in time.

“I believe we can meet our goal of finishing it up this May so we can move on with other matters,” Brillantes said.

The Comelec earlier had said it would limit the number of party-list groups running next year to only 150.

A total of 187 party-list organizations took part in the May 2010 polls.

Aside from the 172 new applicants for registration, there are 125 groups eligible to run in the May 2013 elections.

The Comelec has already delisted 62 party-list organizations for either failing to obtain sufficient votes in the last two elections or have been denied registration by the poll body and the Supreme Court.