Comelec suspends work in NCR Plus offices from March 29 to 31

The Commission on Elections announced Sunday that due to the reimposition of an enhanced community quarantine in the National Capital Region Plus, work in COMELEC offices in these areas, including the filing and reception of applications for voter registration and other registration services, was suspended from March 29 to 31, 2021.

However, COMELEC spokesman James Jimenez announced earlier that the filing of petitions for registration of party-list organizations and political parties, as well as the filing of manifestations of intent to participate in the party-list system of elections, would continue during the ECQ.

Under COMELEC Resolution 10673, the election body will continue receiving via email, petitions, verified pleadings, memoranda, comments, briefs, and other submissions, in PDF format.

Organizations and individuals can send their emails to clerkofthecommission@comelec.gov.ph by 5 p.m. to be considered “filed on time.”

“With the rapidly approaching March 31, 2021 deadline for the filing of petitions for registration of party-list organizations and the submission of manifestations of intent to participate, we expect a massive influx of petitions in the coming week,” COMELEC spokesman James Jimenez said.

“The payment of docket fees and other legal fees for petition for registration of party-list organizations also need to be done on or before March 31, 2021,” he added.

Immediately after filing through email, COMELEC said the filing party must send, through the fastest means available, including registered mail or any courier service, hard copies of all petitions, pleadings, and other submissions, with complete annexes in four hard copies, together with proof of payment of the required fees, deposits, and fines, if any.

Payment can be made through manager’s cheques, cashier’s cheques, or postal money orders, COMELEC said.

On Saturday, the government placed Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna under enhanced community quarantine from March 29 to April 4 in a bid to address the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

The country has so far recorded 721,892 COVID-19 cases including 603,154 recoveries and 15,288 deaths. — DVM, GMA news