Dismissed 50 partylists can appeal — Comelec

Any of the 50 partylist organizations that got their registrations canceled recently can still make appeals before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia made the assurance during a radio interview on Sunday, 8 November, after the poll body issued Resolution No. 11281 dated 15 October that ordered the delisting of 50 partylist groups.

“We will see if there is a reason for them to be given a second chance to participate,” he said.

Garcia pointed out that the delisted partylist organizations cannot participate in the 2028 elections if they don’t appeal the cancellation of their registration.

Liberal take of law

Under Republic Act (RA) 7941 or the Partylist System Act, the Comelec can cancel the registration of a partylist who failed to participate or failed to secure a seat in the House of Representatives in two consecutive elections.

“We decided to be more liberal in the interpretation of the law,” Garcia said.

“We said that those 50 party-list groups can file petitions to be registered,” added the chairman.

The Comelec chief recounted that, in the past, “Once they have been delisted, they will have to rest for one term and, after that, they can file a petition.”

Among these groups is BOSES Partylist which was formerly known as Mothers for Change (MOCHA) Partylist of singer and former Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson.