Winning party-list groups proclaimed May 19

MANILA, Philippines — Party-list groups that won the midterm polls will be proclaimed on May 19, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

After the 12 winning senators are proclaimed, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they need a day to prepare the venue for the proclamation of party-list groups.

“If ever, that will be the fastest in history that we proclaimed winning senatorial candidates and party-list groups, barring any issues or whatever,” Garcia said yesterday.

Proclamation of party-list groups will be based on canvassed results of 175 certificates of canvass nationwide and overseas, he noted.

The National Board of Canvassers needs to count all votes for party-lists before declaring winners that would fill the 63 congressional seats allotted for party-list groups, Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said.

‘Disqualify Duterte Youth’

Meanwhile, an alliance of artists and cultural workers said nominees of the Duterte Youth party-list should be disqualified as they do not represent the youth nor any marginalized sector.

With no substantial bills crafted during its time in Congress, Duterte Youth’s sole purpose is to protect the interests and legacy of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained in The Hague for crimes against humanity, the Sama-samang Artista para sa Kilusang Agraryo said.

“Defamation, surveillance and red-tagging of progressives and human rights advocates are their only contributions,” the group said.

Duterte Youth received about 2.3 million votes in the midterm elections, securing three seats in Congress. – Emmanuel Tupas