Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has urged voters to closely scrutinize the nominees of party-list organizations participating in the 2025 midterm elections. Voters are encouraged to file petitions against nominees who may have questionable qualifications, following the publication of the list of nominees in two newspapers.
According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia stated that the commission cannot unilaterally cancel nominations. Instead, registered voters must initiate any challenges. Garcia emphasized the importance of public vigilance, urging citizens to exercise their right to question the qualifications of nominees. The deadline for filing such petitions is five days after the list’s publication.
Party-list organizations are required to submit a list of 10 nominees, from which their representatives will be chosen. Resolution 9366 outlines the qualifications for nominees, including being a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, and
a resident of the country for at least one year before Election Day. Nominees must also be able to read and write, be a bona fide member of the party for at least 90 days prior to Election Day, and be at least 25 years old. Petitions can be filed on the grounds of material misrepresentation in the nominees’ qualifications.
In a related development, Comelec addressed the potential postponement of the first regular parliamentary polls in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Garcia indicated that the decision lies with Congress, acknowledging their authority in this matter. Meanwhile, preparations for the BARMM polls are ongoing, with the filing period for Certificates of Candidacy set from November 4 to 9.
The parliamentary elections, scheduled alongside the midterm polls on May 12, 2025, will determine 80 seats in the Bangsamoro Parliament. The Bangsamoro Parliament has previously requested Congress to consider postponing the regional elections. If postponed, the term of the Bangsamor
o Transition Authority, ending on June 30, 2025, could be extended to June 30, 2028.