THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is giving all political parties participating in the May 9 polls until April 11 to file their petition for accreditation for the determination of the Dominant Majority Party and the Dominant Minority Party.
Based on Comelec Resolution 10770, political parties only have until April 11 to also file for accreditation as the 10 Major National Parties and the two Major Local Parties.
"A political party duly registered with the Commission may file a verified petition for accreditation for the determination of the Dominant Majority Party, the Dominant Minority Party, the 10 Major National Parties, and the two Major Local Parties," said the Comelec.
"For the purposes of the May 9, 2022 national and local elections, the petition shall be filed not later than April 11, 2022," it added.
In determining the Dominant Majority Party, the Dominant Minority Party, the 10 Major National Parties, and the two Major Local Parties, the Comelec has listed six criteria.
These include the established record of the said parties by taking into account their showing in past elections, the number of incumbent elective officials belonging to them on the last day of the filing of the certificate of candidacy (COC), and their identifiable political organizations and strengths as evidenced by their organized chapters.
Also part of the criteria is their ability to fill a complete slate of candidates from the municipal level to the position of president, the number of women candidates fielded by political parties from the municipal level to the position of president, and other analogous circumstances that may determine their relative organizations and strengths.
"The petitioner shall include in its petition pertinent data and statistics to support its arguments in accordance with the above criteria, as well as the submission of the latest Sworn Information Update Statement (SIUS) duly filed before the Commission," said the Comelec.
And in computing their weighted average points, the Comelec said a party's ability to field a complete slate of candidates from the municipal level up to the position of president is given the highest weighted average points of 40 points.
Meanwhile, the number of incumbent elective officials belonging to a party on the last day of filing of COC is given the weighted average of 20 points.
Also, the Comelec said the organizational structure of a party is given the weighted average of 20 points.
Given 10 points each are the capacities of the political parties to field at least 30 percent women candidates, and their history or the number of years of existence of a party.
The Comelec said the petitions must be filed with the Clerk of the Commission via online at clerkofthecommission@comelec.gov.ph.
Filing of petitions requires a fee of P10,100 (filing and legal research fee) and they must be paid at the Cash Division of the Commission.
To note, those that will be determined as the Dominant Majority Party will be entitled to the fifth copy of the election returns, and seventh copy of the certificates of canvass.
On the other hand, the Dominant Minority Party shall be entitled to the sixth copy of the election returns, and eight copy of the certificates of canvass.
Meanwhile, the ninth to the 18th copies of election returns and certificates of canvass will be given to the 10 accredited major national parties.
The 19th and 20th copies of election returns and certificates of canvass will be provided to the two accredited major local parties. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)