WITH the names of the nominees of party-list organizations running in the May 2025 polls now out, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday called on registered voters to scrutinize their credentials and file disqualification petitions against those with questionable qualifications.
In an interview, Comelec chairman George Garcia urged the electorate to exercise the power given to them to analyze and run after doubtful nominees.
“The Comelec cannot cancel nominations motu proprio. There must be a registered voter who will question them,” said Garcia.
“Hopefully, the people will exercise the power and the right to question such nominees,” he added.
On Thursday, the Comelec published the complete list of all nominees of the 156 party-list organizations in two newspapers.
Garcia said all petitions to deny due course or cancellation of nomination of party-list nominees must be filed within five days after the publication of the list of nominees.
All party-list organizations were required by the poll body to name 10 nominees from which the party-list representatives shall be chosen in case it obtains the required number of votes.
The published list also included the two sets of nominees of the Babae Ako, Ako OFW, ABP, and Magsasaka party-list groups.
Qualifications of party-list nominees are listed under Resolution No. 9366. These include being a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, a resident of the Philippines for a period of not less than one year immediately preceding election day, able to read and write, a bona fide member of the party he seeks to represent for at least 90 days preceding Election Day, and at least 25 years of age.
Comelec rules provide that a verified petition seeking to deny due course to the nomination of aspiring representatives of party-list groups may be filed by any person exclusively on the ground that a material misrepresentation has been committed in the qualification of the nominees.
