The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has suspended the proclamation of two winning party-list groups due to pending legal cases, ahead of the scheduled proclamation ceremony on May 19 at 3:00 p.m. at the Tent City, Manila Hotel.
COMELEC Chairman George Garcia announced that although preparations for the proclamation of the winning party-lists are complete, only 52 of the 54 party-list groups that won seats in the recent elections will be proclaimed.
“Dalawa po ang sinuspinde sa proklamasyon dahil po mayroon silang pending case sa Comelec. Again inuulit natin hindi po nangangahulugang hindi sila nanalo,” Garcia said, emphasizing that the suspension does not negate their victories.
Garcia did not disclose the names of the groups involved but revealed that one party-list secured three seats while the other won one seat.
Garcia stressed that the suspended party-lists won the elections, but it’s better to resolve their pending cases first to ensure fairness and prevent the distress of having a proclamation later canceled, in line with the decision made by the National Board of Canvassers.
Meanwhile, Garcia noted that he personally did not participate in the suspension decision due to previous professional relationships with the parties involved.
“Minarapat natin na huwag magparticipate, bagamat nagparticipate ako sa kabuuang kung sino ang ipoproklama na 63 na nominees at 52 na partylist. So sa nominees po lalabas ay 59 na lang ang ipoproklama mamayang hapon,” he stated.
COMELEC has promised to resolve the pending cases before June 30.
Each party-list is allowed to bring up to 10 companions.
Unlike senators, party-list nominees will not be allowed to deliver speeches during the proclamation ceremony.
