Comelec junks accreditation applications of 76 party-list groups, political parties

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has denied the accreditation applications of 76 party-list groups and political parties for the May 2022 polls.

Among the applications rejected were those of 1-Ako Driver, Ipaglaban Mo, Ang Pederalismo, Antigo-1, Justice Redeemed, Dugong Dakilang Seaman, Maharlika People's Party, Ang Bagong Barangay Natin, and OFW Coalition Party.

The decision was announced by Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez at a press conference on Thursday.

"Most of them have been denied on procedural grounds. Pleadings and jurisdictional allegations were incomplete. For most part, those were the reasons [for the denial of accreditation]," Jimenez said.

"The list can still grow," he added. 

The law provides that a party-list group that gets at least two percent of the total number of votes cast in the party-list race will be entitled to at least one seat in the House of Representatives.

Those who exceed the two-percent threshold will be entitled to additional seats proportionate to the number of votes cast, but the total number of seats for each winning party-list group cannot exceed three.

Those who do not meet the two-percent requirement may still be able to secure a seat in the House because the party-list law also requires that 20% of House members come from the party-list ranks. — VBL, GMA News