LP declared as dominant minority (7:57 p.m.)

MANILA -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has given the dominant majority status to administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD and the dominant minority status to the Liberal Party (LP).

In a resolution promulgated Friday, the poll body said the decision was based on the following criteria:

1. The established record of the said parties, coalition or groups
2. The number of incumbent elective officials belonging to them 90 days before the date of elections
3. Their identifiable political organizations and strengths as evidenced by their organized chapters
4. The ability to field a complete slate of candidates from the municipal level to the position of Senator
5. Other analogous circumstances that may determine their relative organizations and strengths

Debates on who should be accredited as the dominant minority party grew after the Nacionalista Party (NP) and the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) merger was nullified by the Supreme Court Thursday.

NP-NPC, LP, and the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino all applied for the dominant minority accreditation.

The six major political parties meanwhile declared are the Nacionalista Party, Bangon Pilipinas Movement, Nationalist People's Coalition, Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino and PDP-Laban.

Both Lakas-Kampi-CMD and LP are now entitled to a copy of the election returns and a server from Comelec. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)