VOTERS will know the nominees of the party-list group in the 2010 polls, as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said they will release the names of the nominees.

"It's a party but people should know who their nominees are," said Comelec Chairman Jose Melo.

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In coming up with the list of nominees, he said the public will have time to scrutinize if the personality really represents the party he or she speak for.

"(Baka mamaya) ang nominee nila hindi naman talaga nila kasama tapos sila ivo-vote mo," Melo noted.

In the 2007 elections, the Supreme Court (SC) compelled the Comelec to release the names of party-list nominees with just 10 days prior to Election Day.

Controversy among the nominees of party-list groups arose after the Akbayan then alleged that 11 party-list organizations are being used as fronts for Malacañang, including the groups Babae Ka, Akbay Pinoy, Aksa, Kakusa, Ahon Pinoy, Biyaheng Pinoy, Anad, Agbiag, Banat, Bantay, and Lypad.

Melo meanwhile said they are studying if they will include the names of nominees in the campaign materials.

"We will see how we can make it mandatory for the party-lists to come out with the names of their nominees in public. We are looking at issuing an amendment resolution," the Comelec chief said.

On Thursday, the poll body instructed groups looking to participate in the 2010 party-list race to file their "manifestation of intent to participate" from the period of November 20 until the midnight of December 1.

The list of nominees should be submitted to the commission not later than March 26, 2010 with no less than five nominees.

The poll body said a party-list nominee should be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines; a registered voter; a resident of the Philippines for a period of not less than one year; able to read and write; a bona fide member of the party or organization which he seeks to represent for at least 90 days before election day; at least 25 years old on the day of the election; one who belongs to the marginalized and underrepresented sector/s, the sectoral party, organization, political party or coalition he seeks to represent; and is able to continue to the formulation and enactment of appropriate legislation that will benefit the nation as a whole. (FP/Sunnex)