Comelec to proclaim party-list winners on Monday

The Commission on Elections will proclaim the top 10 placers in the party-list race on Monday, although it cannot say yet how many seats in the House of Representative the winning groups would get.

The Commission on Elections will proclaim the top 10 placers in the party-list race on Monday, although it cannot say yet how many seats in the House of Representative the winning groups would get.

Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said the poll body will not be able to determine the number of seats until the canvassing of the votes has been completed.

The Comelec has canvassed 96 percent of the votes.

But it will not be able to finish the canvass until after special elections for a number of towns in the Visayas and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are held on June 3.

The allotted seats for party-list winners are computed based on the total number of votes cast for the party-list contest.

But those to be declared winners on Monday are assured of at least one seat each, Larrazabal said.

“No matter what happens, they get one seat,” he said.

The rest of the winners will be proclaimed “in the next few days,” he said.

Under the law, 20 percent of House seats are reserved for party-list groups, which supposedly represent the marginalized sectors. In the present 287-seat House, this comes to 57 seats.

Party-list groups that succeed in securing six percent of the total votes get three seats. Those which obtain four percent will have two seats, while those with two percent will have one representative.

According to the Comelec tally, Ako Bicol was in the lead with 1,522,986 votes, followed by Senior Citizens (1,292,182); Buhay (1,249,555); Akbayan (1,058,691); Gabriela (1,001,421); Coop-Natcco (943,529); 1-Care (768,829); Abono (766,615); Bayan Muna (746,019); An Waray (711,631);

Cibac (647,483); A Teacher (614,725); Agap (515,501); Butil (506,703); ABC (469,093); Anakpawis (445,628); Kabataan (417,923); LPGMA (417,600); Abante Mindanao (376,011); and ACT Teachers (369,564).

Comelec tally of 20 leading Party List Group

Following are the partial, official results of leading party-list groups based on 30 of 276 certificates of canvass tallied by the Commission on Elections as of Wednesday, 4:58 p.m.:

1. Ako Bicol Partylist – 616,562
2. Buhay Hayaan Yumabong - 392,793
3. Coalition of Association of Senior Citizens Philippines Inc. – 233,742
4. Gabriela Women's Party – 227,068
5. ABONO – 203,008
6. Akbayan – 194,082
7. Cooperative NATCCO Network Party – 190,826
8. Bayan Muna – 165,824
9. Abante Mindanao Inc. – 160,404
10. Citizen's Battle Against Corruption – 158,976
11. Alliance for Barangay Concerns Party – 134,319
12. Atong Paglaum – 115,295
13. Advocacy for Teachers' Empowerment – 111,588
14. Kabataan Partylist – 97,603
15. Anakpawis – 88,760
16. 1st Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy – 83,770
17. Alagad Partylist – 70,372
18. Butil Farmers Party – 65,724
19. An-waray – 61,867
20. LPG Marketers Association Inc. – 61,545

Party List Partial Unofficial Election Result as of May 11, 2010 4:15 p.m.

PARTY-LIST
1	AKO BICOL POLITICAL PARTY	1,299,294
2	COALITION OF ASSOCIATIONS OF SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES, INC.	1,111,366
3	BUHAY HAYAAN YUMABONG	1,109,781
4	AKBAYAN! CITIZEN'S ACTION PARTY	907,279
5	GABRIELA WOMENS PARTY	869,835
6	COOPERATIVE NATCCO NETWORK PARTY	776,792
7	BAYAN MUNA	638,722
8	1ST CONSUMERS ALLIANCE FOR RURAL ENERGY	637,153
9	ABONO	595,653
10	AN WARAY	582,391
11	CITIZENS' BATTLE AGAINST CORRUPTION	578,674
12	ADVOCACY FOR TEACHER EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ACTION COOPERATION AND HARMONY TOWARDS EDUCATIONAL REFORMS	522,928
13	AGRICULTURAL SECTOR ALLIANCE OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC.	467,559
14	BUTIL FARMERS PARTY	445,669
15	ALLIANCE FOR BARANGAY CONCERNS PARTY	413,028
16	ANAKPAWIS	379,306
17	KABATAAN PARTYLIST	361,174
18	LPG MARKETERS ASSOCIATION, INC.	359,749
19	ABANTE MINDANAO, INC.	337,609
20	ACT TEACHERS	311,096
21	ANG ASOSASYON SANG MANGUNGUMA NGA BISAYA-OWA MANGUNGUMA, INC.	295,650
22	BAGONG HENERASYON	259,170
23	ASSOCIATION OF PHILIPPINE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES	256,899
24	YOU AGAINST CORRUPTION AND POVERTY	254,809
25	KASANGGA SA KAUNLARAN, INC.	248,814
26	ANG GALING PINOY	238,927
27	ALLIANCE FOR NATIONALISM AND DEMOCRACY	226,197
28	ARTS BUSINESS AND SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS	225,825
29	AGBIAG! TIMPUYOG ILOCANO, INC.	225,075
30	PUWERSA NG BAYANING ATLETA	216,985
31	ALYANSA NG MGA GRUPONG HALIGI NG AGHAM AT TEKNOLOHIYA PARA SA MAMAMAYAN, INC.	209,541
32	TRADE UNION CONGRESS PARTY	204,703
33	ALAGAD PARTY-LIST	204,283
34	DEMOCRATIC INDEPENDENT WORKERS' ASSOCIATION, INC.	202,351
35	KALINGA-ADVOCACY FOR SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT AND NATION BUILDING THROUGH EASING POVERTY, INC.	198,937
36	1-UNITED TRANSPORT KOALISYON	186,442
37	ALLIANCE OF VOLUNTEER EDUCATORS	186,192
38	KAPATIRAN NG MGA NAKULONG NA WALANG SALA	184,589
39	UNA ANG PAMILYA FORMERLY ALLIANCE OF NEO-CONSERVATIVES	179,945
40	ANG LABAN NG INDIGONG FILIPINO	171,452
41	ADHIKAING TINATAGUYOD NG KOOPERATIBA	152,423
42	ALAY BUHAY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, INC.	143,400
43	AANGAT TAYO	139,640
44	KASOSYO PRODUCER-CONSUMER EXCHANGE ASSOCIATION, INC.	137,893
45	ASSOCIATION OF LABORERS AND EMPLOYEES	136,559
46	KATIPUNAN NG MGA ANAK NG BAYAN ALL FILIPINO DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT	135,836
47	VETERANS FREEDOM PARTY	135,280
48	AKSYON MAGSASAKA PARTIDO TINIG NG MASA	128,457
49	ALLIANCE FOR RURAL AND AGRARIAN RECONSTRUCTION, INC.	125,845
50	PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA	121,753
51	ATONG PAGLAUM	121,640
52	PILIPINO ASSOCIATION FOR COUNTRY - URBAN-POOR YOUTH ADVANCEMENT AND WELFARE	121,159
53	ANGAT ATING KABUHAYAN PILIPINAS, INC.	119,092
54	ANAK MINDANAO	114,633
55	KAUNLARAN NG AGRIKULTURA, ASENSADONG PROBINSYA ANGAT NG BAYAN	114,617
56	ALYANSANG BAYANIHAN NG MGA MAGSASAKA, MANGGAGAWANG-BUKID AT MANGINGISDA	114,488
57	ABANTE TRIBUNG MAKABANSA	110,989
58	ALLIANCE TRANSPORT SECTOR	110,714
59	1GUARDIANS NATIONALIST OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC.	103,219
60	1-AKO BABAENG ASTIG AASENSO	101,702
61	ANG LADLAD LBGT PARTY	99,980
62	BABAE PARA SA KAUNLARAN	98,874
63	CONFEDERATION OF NON-STOCK SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS, INC.	98,616
64	AHON PINOY	98,382
65	BARANGAY NATIN	96,127
66	BAGONG BAYAN NA NAGTATAGUYOD NG DEMOKRATIKONG IDEOLOHIYA AT LAYUNIN	95,967
67	KABALIKAT NG MAMAMAYAN	92,848
68	ONE ADVOCACY FOR HEALTH, PROGRESS AND OPPORTUNITY	92,697
69	BINHI: PARTIDO NG MGA MAGSASAKA PARA SA MGA MAGSASAKA	91,582
70	AKAP BATA, INC.	90,973
71	AKSYON NG MAMAMAYANG NAGKAKAISA	90,589
72	KATRIBU INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S SECTORAL PARTY	89,841
73	ACTION FOR DYNAMIC DEVELOPMENT, INC.	89,682
74	AGILA NG KATUTUBONG PILIPINO, INC.	89,107
75	1-AANI	88,782
76	ANG ASSOSIASYON NG MGA TRABAHADOR AT PAHINANTE	87,399
77	ABAKADA GURO	82,697
78	FIRM 24-K ASSOCIATION, INC.	81,536
79	ANG KALUSUGAN PARA SA PINOY, INC.	79,379
80	BIYAYANG BUKID	77,845
81	PRO-ACTIVE ON CLIMATE CHANGE LEADERS, INC.	77,745
82	ABANTE ILONGGO	77,572
83	ACTION BROTHERHOOD FOR ACTIVE DREAMERS, INC.	77,392
84	AKO AYOKO SA BAWAL NA DROGA	77,177
85	ANG TAGAPAGTAGUYOD NG SIKAP SA IKAUUNLAD NG MGA PINOY	74,767
86	COCOFED-PHILIPPINE COCONUT PRODUCERS FEDERATION, INC.	73,578
87	FILIPINO MUSLIM ORGANIZATION	73,556
88	WOMENPOWER, INC.	73,082
89	ALYANSA NG OFW PARTY	72,271
90	1ST KABALIKAT NG BAYAN GINHAWANG SANGKATAUHAN	70,963
91	COCONUT FARMERS ASSOCIATION OF LINAMON, LANAO DEL NORTE, INC.	70,508
92	YOUTH LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND ADVANCEMENT	68,710
93	ANG TAO MUNA AT BAYAN	66,516
94	THE TRUE MARCOS LOYALIST (FOR GOD COUNTRY and PEOPLE) ASSOCIATION OF THE PHIL., INC.	65,242
95	PARTIDO NG KATUTUBONG PILIPINO	64,487
96	ALLIANCE OF ASSOCIATIONS OF ACCREDITED WORKERS IN THE WATER SECTOR	62,533
97	ACTION LEAGUE OF INDIGENOUS MASSES	61,575
98	BAYANI	60,068
99	BIYAHENG PINOY LABOR ASSOCIATION, INC.	59,650
100	VENDORS AND TRADERS ALLIANCE OF PHILIPPINES PARTY	59,249
101	ORGANIZATION OF REGIONAL ADVOCATES FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE ONWARD NATION-BUILDING	58,912
102	ALLIANCE OF PEOPLE'S ORGANIZATIONS	58,582
103	ALLIANCE OF MINDANAO ELDERS	58,537
104	CHAMPIONS FOR INNOVATIVE EMPLOYMENT	58,334
105	AGAPAY NG INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS ALLIANCE, INC.	56,569
106	AKBAY PINOY OFW-NATIONAL, INC.	55,903
107	ALMA SA PAGKAHIKAOS AT IGNORANSIYA	55,799
108	UGNAYAN NG NAGKAKAISANG LAYUNIN AT ADHIKAING DAKILA	54,676
109	PARENTS ENABLING PARENTS COALITION PARTY	53,855
110	A BLESSED FEDERATION OF FARMERS AND FISHERMEN INTERNATIONAL, INC.	51,943
111	ANG MATA'Y ALAGAAN	50,484
112	ALLIANCE FOR RURAL CONCERNS	48,856
113	ALLIANCE OF BICOLNON PARTY	48,366
114	AABANTE EMMANUEL CIVIC ASSOCIATION	46,169
115	ADHIKAIN AT KILUSAN NG ORDINARYONG TAO PARA SA LUPA, HANAPBUHAY AT KAUNLARAN	46,029
116	ADHIKAIN NG MGA DAKILANG ANAK MAHARLIKA	45,911
117	SULONG! BARANGAY MOVEMENT	44,899
118	ANG AGRIKULTURA NATIN ISULONG	43,964
119	KABABAIHANG LINGKOD BAYAN SA PILIPINAS	43,771
120	ADHIKAING ALAY NG MARINO SA SAMBAYANAN, INC.	43,345
121	ASOSASYON NG MGA MALILIIT NA NEGOSYANTENG GUMAGANAP	42,906
122	AGRI-AGRA NA REPORMA PARA SA MAGSASAKA NG PILIPINAS MOVEMENT	41,164
123	ALAGAAN NATIN ATING KALUSUGAN	40,727
124	ALLIANCE OF ADVOCATES IN MINING ADVANCEMENT FOR NATIONAL PROGRESS	40,546
125	BATANG IWAS SA DROGA FOUNDATION, INC.	40,540
126	GREEN FORCE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT-SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF MOTHER EARTH	38,146
127	KALAHI SECTORAL PARTY	37,515
128	ACTION FOR DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT FOR- THE TRIBAL PEOPLE	35,809
129	ADVOCATES FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN AND HANDICAPPED MOVEMENT	34,687
130	AKO AGILA SA NAGKAISANG MAGSASAKA	34,566
131	ASSOCIATION FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS ADVOCAY IN LEADERSHIP	34,332
132	ANTI WAR / ANTI TERROR MINDANAO PEACE MOVEMENT	33,303
133	SECTORAL PARTY OF ANG MINERO (ANG MINERO)	32,195
134	YES WE CAN, INC.	31,814
135	PASANG MASDA NATIONWIDE, INC.	31,128
136	AKAP KAPATIRAN PARA SA TANGKILIKAN NG MGA OBRERO	31,054
137	ALLIANCE OF BELIEVERS BRIDGE IN ATTAINING ACCURATE AND MEANINGFUL ADVANCEMENT	29,836
138	PAMILYANG OFW-SME NETWORK FOUNDATION	28,865
139	BAGO NATIONAL CULTURAL SOCIETY OF THE PHILIPPINES	27,909
140	ALYANSA NG MAMAMAYANG NAGHIHIRAP	26,931
141	SAGIP KAPWA FOUNDATION, INC.	26,834
142	ABANG LINGKOD, INC.	26,475
143	UNITED MOVEMENT AGAINST DRUGS FOUNDATION, INC.	26,088
144	FREE WORKERS	25,951
145	ALLIANCE OF NATIONAL URBAN POOR ORGANIZATIONS ASSEMBLY, INC.	25,693
146	KOALISYON NG KATUTUBONG SAMAHAN NG PILIPINAS	25,471
147	1-AANGAT KA PILIPINO	24,995
148	ITENERANT VENDORS ALLIANCE OF THE PHILIPPINES	24,982
149	SMALL FARMERS AND LAND TILLERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES	24,267
150	SOCIAL MOVEMENT FOR ACTIVE REFORM AND TRANSPARENCY	24,058
151	FIRST PEOPLE'S REPRESENTATIVE FOR INDIGENT STUDENT ATHLETES	23,152
152	BAGONG KOALISYON NG NAGKAKAISANG SAMAHAN SA SEKTOR NG TRANSPORTASYON	22,431
153	ANG KAPISANAN NG MGA SEAMAN	22,305
154	AGRARIAN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION	22,165
155	ALLIANCE OF REGIONAL COALITIONS AGAINST PEOPLE'S POVERTY, INC.	21,989
156	ABANTE KATUTUBO , INC.	21,988
157	ADVOCATES FOR PENOLOGY ENHANCEMENT AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE	21,401
158	ALLIANCE OF NATIONALISTIC AND GENUINE PROGRAM FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS ECONOMIC REFORM	19,596
159	AKBAY KALUSUGAN, INC.	19,231
160	ABANTE BICOL ORAGON INC.	18,492
161	ALLIANCE FOR COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION AND SERVICE	18,008
162	ASSOCIATION OF ADMINISTRATORS, PROFESSIONALS AND SENIORS	17,692
163	BIGKIS PINOY MOVEMENT	17,070
164	UNITED CADDIES AND GREEN KEEPERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES	16,558
165	DAMAYAN ALLIANCE OF THE AGING and DISABLED FILIPINOS, INC.	16,353
166	ANGKAN KATUTUBO, INC.	16,110
167	ALYANSA LUMAD, INC.	15,718
168	ALYANSA NG MEDIA AT SHOWBIZ	15,260
169	ALAY SERBISYO (WORKERS IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR ECONOMY)	14,743
170	ALAY SA BAYAN NG MALAYANG PROPESYONAL AT REPORMANG KALAKAL	14,295
171	ALLIANCE FRO PHILIPPINES SECURITY GUARDS COOPERATIVE	13,175
172	ALYANSA NG MGA NAULILA NG MGA TAGAPAGTANGGOL NG BAYAN	12,934
173	NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR COMMUTERS PROTECTION	10,160
174	KABUKLURAN NG MGA KABABAIHANG FILIPINA SA TIMOG KATAGALUGAN	10,146
175	ONE NATION EMPOWERED BY TECHNOLOGY	10,077
176	ANG PARTIDO DEMOKRATIKO RURAL	9,102
177	ABOT TANAW	8,442
178	A CONVERGENCE FOR MINDANAO AGENDA, INC.	7,356
179	ALLIANCE AND ADVOCATES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS' AFFAIRS	6,089
180	ALYANSA LUMAD MINDANAO, INC.	5,152
181	UNITED FILIPINO SEAFARERS	5,008
182	BINIGKIS NA INTERES NG MGA DRAYBER SA ADHIKAIN, INC.	4,447
183	CITIZEN POWER MOVEMENT, INC.	3,578
184	ALLIANCE OF VIGILANT PROTECTORS OF AQUATIC PRODUCTS	3,502
185	ANG SAMAHAN PARA SA MAGANDANG KABUHAYAN	3,438
186	PEOPLES FREEDOM PARTY	3,171
187	ANG NATIONAL COALITION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S ACTION	977

Party List Partial and Unofficial Result as of May 11, 2010

PARTY-LIST
1	AKO BICOL POLITICAL PARTY	1,285,959
2	BUHAY HAYAAN YUMABONG	1,106,048
3	COALITION OF ASSOCIATIONS OF SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES, INC.	1,103,902
4	AKBAYAN! CITIZEN'S ACTION PARTY	903,000
5	GABRIELA WOMENS PARTY	866,054
6	COOPERATIVE NATCCO NETWORK PARTY	767,738
7	BAYAN MUNA	635,021
8	1ST CONSUMERS ALLIANCE FOR RURAL ENERGY	631,024
9	ABONO	591,602
10	CITIZENS' BATTLE AGAINST CORRUPTION	576,675
11	AN WARAY	569,712
12	ADVOCACY FOR TEACHER EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ACTION COOPERATION AND HARMONY TOWARDS EDUCATIONAL REFORMS	519,231
13	AGRICULTURAL SECTOR ALLIANCE OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC.	465,658
14	BUTIL FARMERS PARTY	444,739
15	ALLIANCE FOR BARANGAY CONCERNS PARTY	411,271
16	ANAKPAWIS	376,755
17	KABATAAN PARTYLIST	359,406
18	LPG MARKETERS ASSOCIATION, INC.	358,223
19	ABANTE MINDANAO, INC.	336,046
20	ACT TEACHERS	308,344
21	ANG ASOSASYON SANG MANGUNGUMA NGA BISAYA-OWA MANGUNGUMA, INC.	292,853
22	BAGONG HENERASYON	257,450
23	ASSOCIATION OF PHILIPPINE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES	254,139
24	YOU AGAINST CORRUPTION AND POVERTY	250,465
25	KASANGGA SA KAUNLARAN, INC.	248,004
26	ANG GALING PINOY	238,409
27	ARTS BUSINESS AND SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS	224,847
28	AGBIAG! TIMPUYOG ILOCANO, INC.	223,428
29	ALLIANCE FOR NATIONALISM AND DEMOCRACY	222,757
30	PUWERSA NG BAYANING ATLETA	215,757
31	ALYANSA NG MGA GRUPONG HALIGI NG AGHAM AT TEKNOLOHIYA PARA SA MAMAMAYAN, INC.	208,360
32	ALAGAD PARTY-LIST	203,963
33	TRADE UNION CONGRESS PARTY	202,788
34	DEMOCRATIC INDEPENDENT WORKERS' ASSOCIATION, INC.	200,840
35	KALINGA-ADVOCACY FOR SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT AND NATION BUILDING THROUGH EASING POVERTY, INC.	197,734
36	1-UNITED TRANSPORT KOALISYON	185,710
37	ALLIANCE OF VOLUNTEER EDUCATORS	184,772
38	KAPATIRAN NG MGA NAKULONG NA WALANG SALA	181,344
39	UNA ANG PAMILYA FORMERLY ALLIANCE OF NEO-CONSERVATIVES	177,877
40	ANG LABAN NG INDIGONG FILIPINO	168,231
41	ADHIKAING TINATAGUYOD NG KOOPERATIBA	151,793
42	ALAY BUHAY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, INC.	142,514
43	AANGAT TAYO	137,645
44	KASOSYO PRODUCER-CONSUMER EXCHANGE ASSOCIATION, INC.	136,430
45	ASSOCIATION OF LABORERS AND EMPLOYEES	135,996
46	KATIPUNAN NG MGA ANAK NG BAYAN ALL FILIPINO DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT	134,858
47	VETERANS FREEDOM PARTY	134,749
48	AKSYON MAGSASAKA PARTIDO TINIG NG MASA	125,992
49	ALLIANCE FOR RURAL AND AGRARIAN RECONSTRUCTION, INC.	124,843
50	PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA	121,318
51	PILIPINO ASSOCIATION FOR COUNTRY - URBAN-POOR YOUTH ADVANCEMENT AND WELFARE	120,185
52	ATONG PAGLAUM	119,388
53	ANGAT ATING KABUHAYAN PILIPINAS, INC.	118,217
54	KAUNLARAN NG AGRIKULTURA, ASENSADONG PROBINSYA ANGAT NG BAYAN	114,040
55	ALYANSANG BAYANIHAN NG MGA MAGSASAKA, MANGGAGAWANG-BUKID AT MANGINGISDA	113,397
56	ANAK MINDANAO	111,558
57	ALLIANCE TRANSPORT SECTOR	110,264
58	ABANTE TRIBUNG MAKABANSA	108,623
59	1GUARDIANS NATIONALIST OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC.	102,545
60	1-AKO BABAENG ASTIG AASENSO	100,949
61	ANG LADLAD LBGT PARTY	99,669
62	BABAE PARA SA KAUNLARAN	98,205
63	AHON PINOY	97,751
64	CONFEDERATION OF NON-STOCK SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS, INC.	97,581
65	BARANGAY NATIN	95,355
66	BAGONG BAYAN NA NAGTATAGUYOD NG DEMOKRATIKONG IDEOLOHIYA AT LAYUNIN	95,184
67	KABALIKAT NG MAMAMAYAN	92,291
68	ONE ADVOCACY FOR HEALTH, PROGRESS AND OPPORTUNITY	91,749
69	BINHI: PARTIDO NG MGA MAGSASAKA PARA SA MGA MAGSASAKA	91,319
70	AKAP BATA, INC.	90,381
71	AKSYON NG MAMAMAYANG NAGKAKAISA	89,235
72	ACTION FOR DYNAMIC DEVELOPMENT, INC.	88,844
73	KATRIBU INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S SECTORAL PARTY	88,399
74	AGILA NG KATUTUBONG PILIPINO, INC.	88,235
75	1-AANI	87,534
76	ANG ASSOSIASYON NG MGA TRABAHADOR AT PAHINANTE	86,582
77	ABAKADA GURO	81,825
78	FIRM 24-K ASSOCIATION, INC.	80,892
79	ANG KALUSUGAN PARA SA PINOY, INC.	78,839
80	PRO-ACTIVE ON CLIMATE CHANGE LEADERS, INC.	77,263
81	ABANTE ILONGGO	77,173
82	ACTION BROTHERHOOD FOR ACTIVE DREAMERS, INC.	77,146
83	AKO AYOKO SA BAWAL NA DROGA	76,650
84	BIYAYANG BUKID	75,516
85	ANG TAGAPAGTAGUYOD NG SIKAP SA IKAUUNLAD NG MGA PINOY	74,014
86	COCOFED-PHILIPPINE COCONUT PRODUCERS FEDERATION, INC.	72,576
87	WOMENPOWER, INC.	72,420
88	FILIPINO MUSLIM ORGANIZATION	72,161
89	ALYANSA NG OFW PARTY	71,915
90	1ST KABALIKAT NG BAYAN GINHAWANG SANGKATAUHAN	70,708
91	YOUTH LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND ADVANCEMENT	68,350
92	COCONUT FARMERS ASSOCIATION OF LINAMON, LANAO DEL NORTE, INC.	67,676
93	ANG TAO MUNA AT BAYAN	66,055
94	THE TRUE MARCOS LOYALIST (FOR GOD COUNTRY and PEOPLE) ASSOCIATION OF THE PHIL., INC.	64,701
95	PARTIDO NG KATUTUBONG PILIPINO	63,450
96	ALLIANCE OF ASSOCIATIONS OF ACCREDITED WORKERS IN THE WATER SECTOR	61,954
97	ACTION LEAGUE OF INDIGENOUS MASSES	60,733
98	BAYANI	59,483
99	BIYAHENG PINOY LABOR ASSOCIATION, INC.	59,362
100	VENDORS AND TRADERS ALLIANCE OF PHILIPPINES PARTY	58,555
101	ORGANIZATION OF REGIONAL ADVOCATES FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE ONWARD NATION-BUILDING	58,553
102	ALLIANCE OF MINDANAO ELDERS	58,281
103	ALLIANCE OF PEOPLE'S ORGANIZATIONS	58,067
104	CHAMPIONS FOR INNOVATIVE EMPLOYMENT	57,925
105	AGAPAY NG INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS ALLIANCE, INC.	55,951
106	ALMA SA PAGKAHIKAOS AT IGNORANSIYA	55,520
107	AKBAY PINOY OFW-NATIONAL, INC.	55,474
108	UGNAYAN NG NAGKAKAISANG LAYUNIN AT ADHIKAING DAKILA	54,279
109	PARENTS ENABLING PARENTS COALITION PARTY	53,678
110	A BLESSED FEDERATION OF FARMERS AND FISHERMEN INTERNATIONAL, INC.	51,370
111	ANG MATA'Y ALAGAAN	50,069
112	ALLIANCE FOR RURAL CONCERNS	48,285
113	ALLIANCE OF BICOLNON PARTY	48,140
114	ADHIKAIN AT KILUSAN NG ORDINARYONG TAO PARA SA LUPA, HANAPBUHAY AT KAUNLARAN	45,769
115	AABANTE EMMANUEL CIVIC ASSOCIATION	45,757
116	SULONG! BARANGAY MOVEMENT	44,374
117	ADHIKAIN NG MGA DAKILANG ANAK MAHARLIKA	44,343
118	KABABAIHANG LINGKOD BAYAN SA PILIPINAS	43,682
119	ADHIKAING ALAY NG MARINO SA SAMBAYANAN, INC.	43,161
120	ANG AGRIKULTURA NATIN ISULONG	43,141
121	ASOSASYON NG MGA MALILIIT NA NEGOSYANTENG GUMAGANAP	42,628
122	AGRI-AGRA NA REPORMA PARA SA MAGSASAKA NG PILIPINAS MOVEMENT	40,702
123	ALAGAAN NATIN ATING KALUSUGAN	40,479
124	BATANG IWAS SA DROGA FOUNDATION, INC.	40,198
125	ALLIANCE OF ADVOCATES IN MINING ADVANCEMENT FOR NATIONAL PROGRESS	39,972
126	GREEN FORCE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT-SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF MOTHER EARTH	38,000
127	KALAHI SECTORAL PARTY	37,087
128	ACTION FOR DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT FOR- THE TRIBAL PEOPLE	35,048
129	ADVOCATES FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN AND HANDICAPPED MOVEMENT	34,432
130	AKO AGILA SA NAGKAISANG MAGSASAKA	34,314
131	ASSOCIATION FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS ADVOCAY IN LEADERSHIP	34,036
132	ANTI WAR / ANTI TERROR MINDANAO PEACE MOVEMENT	33,025
133	SECTORAL PARTY OF ANG MINERO (ANG MINERO)	32,091
134	YES WE CAN, INC.	31,659
135	PASANG MASDA NATIONWIDE, INC.	30,987
136	AKAP KAPATIRAN PARA SA TANGKILIKAN NG MGA OBRERO	30,781
137	ALLIANCE OF BELIEVERS BRIDGE IN ATTAINING ACCURATE AND MEANINGFUL ADVANCEMENT	29,686
138	PAMILYANG OFW-SME NETWORK FOUNDATION	28,657
139	BAGO NATIONAL CULTURAL SOCIETY OF THE PHILIPPINES	27,710
140	SAGIP KAPWA FOUNDATION, INC.	26,692
141	ALYANSA NG MAMAMAYANG NAGHIHIRAP	26,568
142	ABANG LINGKOD, INC.	26,394
143	UNITED MOVEMENT AGAINST DRUGS FOUNDATION, INC.	25,994
144	FREE WORKERS	25,779
145	ALLIANCE OF NATIONAL URBAN POOR ORGANIZATIONS ASSEMBLY, INC.	25,400
146	KOALISYON NG KATUTUBONG SAMAHAN NG PILIPINAS	25,161
147	1-AANGAT KA PILIPINO	24,760
148	ITENERANT VENDORS ALLIANCE OF THE PHILIPPINES	24,677
149	SOCIAL MOVEMENT FOR ACTIVE REFORM AND TRANSPARENCY	23,910
150	SMALL FARMERS AND LAND TILLERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES	23,877
151	FIRST PEOPLE'S REPRESENTATIVE FOR INDIGENT STUDENT ATHLETES	22,933
152	BAGONG KOALISYON NG NAGKAKAISANG SAMAHAN SA SEKTOR NG TRANSPORTASYON	22,332
153	ANG KAPISANAN NG MGA SEAMAN	22,199
154	AGRARIAN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION	21,924
155	ABANTE KATUTUBO , INC.	21,889
156	ALLIANCE OF REGIONAL COALITIONS AGAINST PEOPLE'S POVERTY, INC.	21,790
157	ADVOCATES FOR PENOLOGY ENHANCEMENT AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE	21,198
158	ALLIANCE OF NATIONALISTIC AND GENUINE PROGRAM FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS ECONOMIC REFORM	19,527
159	AKBAY KALUSUGAN, INC.	19,019
160	ABANTE BICOL ORAGON INC.	18,330
161	ALLIANCE FOR COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION AND SERVICE	17,895
162	ASSOCIATION OF ADMINISTRATORS, PROFESSIONALS AND SENIORS	17,569
163	BIGKIS PINOY MOVEMENT	16,971
164	UNITED CADDIES AND GREEN KEEPERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES	16,464
165	DAMAYAN ALLIANCE OF THE AGING and DISABLED FILIPINOS, INC.	16,256
166	ANGKAN KATUTUBO, INC.	15,967
167	ALYANSA LUMAD, INC.	15,415
168	ALYANSA NG MEDIA AT SHOWBIZ	15,183
169	ALAY SERBISYO (WORKERS IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR ECONOMY)	14,538
170	ALAY SA BAYAN NG MALAYANG PROPESYONAL AT REPORMANG KALAKAL	14,163
171	ALLIANCE FRO PHILIPPINES SECURITY GUARDS COOPERATIVE	13,111
172	ALYANSA NG MGA NAULILA NG MGA TAGAPAGTANGGOL NG BAYAN	12,877
173	KABUKLURAN NG MGA KABABAIHANG FILIPINA SA TIMOG KATAGALUGAN	10,076
174	NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR COMMUTERS PROTECTION	10,059
175	ONE NATION EMPOWERED BY TECHNOLOGY	9,989
176	ANG PARTIDO DEMOKRATIKO RURAL	9,042
177	ABOT TANAW	8,387
178	A CONVERGENCE FOR MINDANAO AGENDA, INC.	7,292
179	ALLIANCE AND ADVOCATES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS' AFFAIRS	6,036
180	ALYANSA LUMAD MINDANAO, INC.	5,097
181	UNITED FILIPINO SEAFARERS	4,974
182	BINIGKIS NA INTERES NG MGA DRAYBER SA ADHIKAIN, INC.	4,419
183	CITIZEN POWER MOVEMENT, INC.	3,534
184	ALLIANCE OF VIGILANT PROTECTORS OF AQUATIC PRODUCTS	3,462
185	ANG SAMAHAN PARA SA MAGANDANG KABUHAYAN	3,416
186	PEOPLES FREEDOM PARTY	3,150
187	ANG NATIONAL COALITION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S ACTION	971

Ang Ladlad to add flavor, color in Congress

A party-list group, which promises to add color to the usually staid congressional proceedings, is going “yellow” in its choice for president and vice president in the May elections.

With expected gay flair, this was how Danton Remoto, chair of Ang Ladlad, described Aquino: “Walang bahid, walang mantsa. Hindi mo na kailangang magkuskos at magkula pa. (He’s without stain. No need to scrub or bleach.)

‘Golden Gays’ home

The group said that, if elected, it would propose laws that would criminalize discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs).

Ang Ladlad also vowed to provide livelihood programs and establish a home for elderly and abandoned members of the LGBT community. The home would be called “Golden Gays,” an apparent takeoff from the government-run Golden Acres.

“We will see all the colors of the rainbow in Congress,” said Naomi Fontanos, one of the group’s nominees. The others are Bernz Benedito, Germaine Leonin, Cris Lopera and Dexter Macaldo.

Ang Ladlad would add a “happy and gay” flavor to the party-list system, Fontanos said.

And even if mocked and bullied by other, more seasoned lawmakers, “like beauty queens we will come poised and diplomatic,” she added.

‘Outing’ not its business

“Our platform is based on dignity for all. We have concrete programs unlike other fake party-list groups which ... have yet to produce platforms and programs. We have a track record since 2003,” the group said in a statement in Filipino.

Fontanos said Ang Ladlad was “not in the business of outing people. If LGBTs refuse to come out of the closet, then that’s fine as long as they do some good for the communities they are in.”

On April 8, barely a month before the elections, the Supreme Court upheld with finality the accreditation of Ang Ladlad in the party-list race.

The group claims to have 16,000 members, but Remoto said it was banking on the estimated 5 million LGBT voters.

Admin allies dominate party-list race

Administration allies are likely to dominate the party-list elections based on the March 21 to 28 survey of Pulse Asia.

The latest Pulse Asia survey, released along with the preferences of voters for the senatorial race, showed 46 of 187 party-list groups eyeing seats in Congress likely to win the elections.

Thirty-seven of those are either openly allies or perceived to be allies of the Arroyo administration.

ABS-CBN News asked Bayan Muna Representative Teodoro Casiño to examine Pulse Asia's winning circle for the party-list election.

Casiño counted only 7 among the 20 re-electionist party-list groups to be among the current minority in the House of Representatives. These are party-list groups Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Akbayan, Anakpawis, An Waray, Kabataan, and CIBAC.

Thirteen are allied with the majority in the chamber controlled by allies of the President.

Of the 26 other non-reelectionist party-list groups seeking congressional seats, Casiño counted only 2 groups who, he said, are not allies of the administration. He refused to identify these groups for fear of reprisal.

Among the key allies of the president in the winning circle are: 1-UTAK, whose nominee is former Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes; BUHAY, whose nominee is El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde; and, Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD), currently represented by retired general Jovito Palparan.

If there's any consolation for Casiño, aside from Bayan Muna's second place in the party-list race, is that Ang Galing Pinoy, the party-list group which nominated Pampanga 2nd district representative and presidential son Juan Miguel 'Mikey' Macapagal-Arroyo is not in the winning circle.

"(laughs) Walang Ang Galing Pinoy (AGP) dito. Pinapakita ng mga botante, bagamat iilan lang ang nakakaalam sa party-list, matalino, alam nila pinakabogus at pinakapekeng party-list, di dapat iboto," he said.

Having said that, Casiño advised the younger Arroyo to withdraw from the election or risk embarrassment.,

"Baka mas magandang si Mikey umatras na, wag nang tumuloy baka mapahiya siya ng gusto," he said.

Mikey: Nothing to worry about

But Congressman Arroyo simply vowed to work harder to win.

He also said that this is proof his critics or those seeking his disqualification have nothing to worry about.

"Then there is no reason for the critics or those who seek to disqualify me to worry," Rep. Arroyo said.

Casiño, however, issued a warning: that the party-list groups who, like Arroyo's, are not doing well in surveys, can still catch up on the strength of the machinery of the administration.

Casiño said the low awareness of the electorate about the party-list system makes the electorate prone to traditional forms of electoral manipulation.

Majority not aware of party-list

The same Pulse Asia survey showed 58% of the voters are not aware of the party-list system.

"Mababa pa rin awareness. Madaling mamamanipulate mga botante dahil marami walang alam sa party-list. Choices will be influenced by traditional forms ng pagkuha ng boto," he warned.

If the party-list groups win, they will add to at least 160 pro-Arroyo congressmen in the chamber.

Critics have pointed out an apparent bid by allies of the president to dominate or at least become a significant voting block in the next Congress in anticipation of 3 scenarios:

1. to serve as Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's political leverage against a new president who will prosecute her by having at least 1/3 of the House endorse an impeachment complaint;

2. to serve as her voting bloc to become Speaker and eventually Prime Minister.

3. to quickly elect her as Speaker of the House who will be the acting president should elections for the presidency, vice presidency and the Senate fail.

Arroyo son, Velarde eye party-list seats

The elder son of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has teamed up with the son of suspected “jueteng” lord Bong Pineda to gain seats in the House of Representative as nominees of a party-list group that claims to represent security guards.

Outgoing Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo is the first nominee of Ang Galing Pinoy, while Dennis Pineda, the outgoing mayor of Lubao, Pampanga, is the group’s second nominee.

Each party-list group is entitled to a maximum of three seats in the House of Representatives, but the groups are required to submit the names of at least five nominees by March 26.

Bro. Mike Velarde, leader of the El-Shaddai Charismatic Movement, is the fifth nominee of Buhay. The first nominee is his son Mariano Michael. Another Velarde son, Rene, is an incumbent Buhay representative, who is on his third and last term.

A congressional seat is Velarde’s for the taking if Buhay wins seats in the House, according to Buhay Rep. Irwin Tieng, the group’s No. 2 nominee. Other Buhay nominees are Ignacio Jimenez and former Bulacan Rep. Willy Villarama.

“Any of us three is willing to yield to him. We all have a common goal,” Tieng said in a phone interview. “If the people want him (Mike Velarde), and there is a clamor to replace either one of us, we would step down for him.”

In case the group gets three seats, and the first three nominees could not serve or decide to relinquish their posts, the fourth or fifth nominee will replace them.

Disqualification case

So far, only 45 of the 187 accredited party-list groups have submitted the names of their five nominees to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The Comelec said last week it would disclose the nominees of the party-list groups a day after the deadline. The release of the names will allow those against the nominees to file disqualification cases against them.

Civil society has decried the accreditation of a number of party-list groups, saying their officials do not represent the marginalized sectors and are only using the party-list system to get a share of the budget.

The party-list groups are entitled to 57 of 287 seats in the House.

Mikey Arroyo, a one-time movie actor, became the vice governor of Pampanga in 2001, and was elected congressman of the province’s second district in 2004 and 2007.

Married to his second cousin Angela Arroyo Montenegro in 2002, Mikey’s declared net worth ballooned from P5.7 million in 2001 to P74.4 million in 2004, and then to P99.2 million in 2008—an increase of more than 1,600 percent in seven years.

He said on national television in September last year that campaign contributions and wedding gifts were partly the reason his declared net worth had ballooned.

Mikey was accused of failing to declare in his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth for 2007 and 2008 a beachfront house in Foster City, California.

Wife, sister for mayor

Dennis Pineda’s mother, Lilia, is a close supporter of the President. She ran in the 2007 gubernatorial race against Fr. Ed “Among Ed” Panlilio, an anti-administration candidate who won the election.

The Comelec recently declared Lilia Pineda the winner of the gubernatorial race after a recount last year. Panlilio has appealed the decision.

Dennis’ wife Yolanda is a reelectionist mayor of Sta. Rita, Pampanga, while his younger sister Mylene is running for mayor of Lubao.

Progressive party-list groups claim that Ms Arroyo’s allies are using the party-list system to gain House seats to support her supposed plan to return to power as prime minister.

Ms Arroyo, whose term ends on June 30 after nine years in Malacañang, is running for representative in the second district of her home province, Pampanga.

Kasangga, a party-list group representing micro-entrepreneurs, has for its nominee Maria Lourdes Arroyo, a sister of the President’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo.

1-UTAK, another group that earned the ire of the militants, has Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes as its nominee. The group is said to be working for the interests of the transport sector.

Buhay was the top vote-getter among party-list groups in the 2007 elections.

During Manny Pacquiao’s blockbuster match with Joshua Clottey, Velarde starred in the group’s TV commercial.

Relatives of other government officials are also nominees of party-list groups.

Ablan daughter, Lomibao’s wife

Anna Marie Ablan, daughter of Ilocos Norte Rep. Roque Ablan and honorary consul of Belarus, is the third nominee of Alliance of People’s Organizations. The group’s first nominee is former Ilocos Sur Rep. Salacnib Baterina.

Herminio Aquino, running mate of the late Sen. Raul Roco in the 2004 presidential election, is the first nominee of Sulong! Barangay Movement. He is an uncle of the Liberal Party standard-bearer, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Jacky Rowena T. Lomibao, wife of former Philippine National Police chief and Land Transportation Office chief Arturo Lomibao, is the third nominee of Abono.

Dermatologist Manny Calayan, actor Leo Martinez, and Manila Standard Today reporter Jose Joel Egco are three of the five nominees of the group Alyansa ng Media at Showbiz.

Actor Juan Miguel “Onemig” Bondoc, of the show TGIF fame, is the fourth nominee of the group Bandila.

Against condom

Tieng said Velarde decided to be one of Buhay’s nominees because of the government’s distribution of condoms.

Buhay is known to be a pro-life group and an opponent of the reproductive health (RH) bill, which sought to promote both natural and artificial birth control methods through government programs.

“The final straw was the distribution of condoms. When I was in Congress, he would always ask us every time we would talk to block the RH bill,” Tieng said.

Tieng also said Buhay was a group distinct from El Shaddai, and Buhay was not a religious group. Religious groups are barred from becoming party-list groups.

“The only reason we are linked to El Shaddai is that Rene Velarde is our No. 1 nominee. There are Buhay party-list members that are El Shaddai. There are also members who are not El Shaddai,” he said.

But he acknowledged that Velarde has done a lot to help Buhay.

Other nominees of Ang Galing Pinoy are Romeo Dungca Jr., Jerold Dominick David and Ryan Caladiao.

Pulse Asia January 2010 Pre-Election Result for Party-List Group

Pulse Asia's January 2010 Pre-election Survey for Party-List Group Preference

As part of our academic responsibility, we are disseminating part of the findings of the latest pre-election survey conducted by Pulse Asia during the period 22 to 26 January 2010.

Aside from probing into Filipinos’ preferences for president, vice-president, and senators, Pulse Asia’s January 2010 pre-election survey also looked into Filipinos’ choices for party list representatives in the coming national elections. In the period prior to and during the conduct of the survey, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) not only reinstated a few presidential and senatorial candidates but also included several party list groups in the final list of candidates bringing the total number of candidates to ten for the presidency, eight for the vice-presidency, 62 for the Senate, and 150 for the party-list. (However, on January 30, 2010, the COMELEC approved the inclusion of 37 more groups in the election for party list representatives. Thus, as of this writing, the total number of groups seeking party list representation is 187.)

For the electoral preference module, Pulse Asia made use of a ballot that conforms to the COMELEC sample prior to the conduct of the January 2010 pre-elections survey. Measuring 8” x 29”, the names of the candidates for the national posts were listed alphabetically as ordered in the official list released by the COMELEC prior to this survey's field work. Respondents were asked to indicate their preference on the ballot based on the instructions written.

Based on a multistage probability sample of 1,800 representative adults 18 years old and above, Pulse Asia’s nationwide survey has a +/- 2% error margin at the 95% confidence level. Subnational estimates for the geographic areas covered in the survey have the following error margins at 95% confidence level: +/- 6% for Metro Manila, +/- 4% for the rest of Luzon and +/- 5% for each of Visayas and Mindanao. Face-to-face field interviews for this project were conducted from January 22 to 26, 2010. (Those interested in further technical details concerning the surveys’ questionnaires and sampling design may request Pulse Asia in writing for fuller details, including copies of the pre-tested questions actually used.)

Pulse Asia’s pool of academic fellows takes full responsibility for the design and conduct of the survey, as well as for analyses it makes based on the survey data. In keeping with our academic nature, no religious, political, economic, or partisan group influenced any of these processes. Pulse Asia undertakes pre-election surveys on its own without any party singularly commissioning the research effort.

69% of voters unaware of party-list system according to Pulse Asia survey

Majority of Filipinos are still unaware of the party-list system despite its 12 years of existence, a pre-election survey by Pulse Asia showed.

Of the 1,800 registered voters surveyed ahead of the May 10 polls, 69 percent said they were not aware of the party-list system. Only three out of 10 said they were aware.

Metro Manila ranked first with 51 percent of respondents saying they know the system, which aims to provide representation for the marginalized and underrepresented sectors of the society.

Visayas came second at 30 percent and 28 percent for Mindanao. The survey was conducted from January 22 to 26.

“The current level of awareness of the party-list system is just about half of the awareness level posted in the last survey conducted on the same concern last April 2007,” Pulse Asia said.

“Moreover, the current dismal level of awareness is the lowest that had been recorded across surveys conducted by Pulse Asia from early 2004,” the group added.

But despite the low awareness level of the respondents, at least nine partylist groups managed to get more than two percent votes, enough for a party-list group to get a seat at the House of Representatives.

Bayan Muna was leading with 8.03 percent votes; 1-Aangat Pilipino, 6.34 percent; Anakpawis, 5.88 percent; Gabriela Women’s Partylist, 5.55 percent; Akbayan Citizens Action Party, 5.07 percent; Ahon Pinoy, 3.32 percent; Aangat Tayo, 3.22 percent; Anak Mindanao, 2.80 percent; and Abono, 2.59 percent.

A total of 187 party-list groups have been approved by the Commission on Elections to join the May elections. A voter can only choose one party-list group.

Since the 1998 elections, 20 percent of seats in the lower chamber have been allotted for party-list representatives.

The latest Pulse Asia survey, which has a ±2 percent margin of error, was based on a multistage probability sample of 1,800 registered voters aged 18 years old and above. It has a ±2 percent margin of error.

Partylist hits Comelec’s 200-voter-limit in registration

A lawmaker is protesting the Commission on Elections (Comelec) policy to limit registration in each center to 200 voters a day, which is not enough to accommodate the estimated two million Filipinos expected to sign up in the extended period for registration.

Kabataan Party-list Representative Raymond Palatino, in a statement, said: “We have received reports nationwide of thousands of youths availing themselves of the extended registration period only to be sent home by Comelec officials. The general complaint we are getting is that Comelec centers accept only 200 registrants per day and then refuse to accommodate the rest despite long lines of prospective new registrants.”

Palatino said that this meant that the centers would close shop just an hour after its opening at 10 a.m. upon meeting their quota, leaving hundreds of voters frustrated.

Palatino said that other complaints included the late opening of registration centers, insufficient number of satellite offices and registration forms, and the unresolved difficulties in the process that necessitated multiple extensions.

He said the Comelec has so far ignored his group’s suggestions and help on how to improve the system.

Palatino said that the Comelec should be compelled to conduct the registration process up to Jan. 9 as mandated by the Supreme Court. The Comelec, however, has scheduled only five days for registration—from Dec. 21 to 23 and Dec. 28 to 29 with the remaining days allotted to settle disputes on registrations.

“We expect millions to avail themselves of the remaining two days of extended voter registration. We hope the Comelec re-opens, more prepared and accommodating,” he said.

Partial list of qualified 2010 bets

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will release Tuesday an initial list of candidates qualified to participate in the 2010 elections.

“Tomorrow we will come out with the list of those who are qualified to run for president, vice president, senators, and probably party-list," Chairman Jose Melo told reporters in an interview Monday.

He said they included in the list people who have submitted the needed formal requirements and are capable to pursue a national campaign.

Melo said those who will not be included in the list will be given three days after the announcement of the Comelec decision to file their motion for reconsideration.

Those who will be disqualified from running are mostly "nuisance" candidates, according to Melo.

Comelec Resolution No. 8678 states that a nuisance candidate is one who “put(s) the election process in mockery or disrepute, cause(s) confusion among the voters by the similarity of names of registered candidates, or one who has no bona fide intention to run for the office."

The filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) at the Comelec main office, which ran from November 20 until midnight of December 1, drew 99 presidential hopefuls compared to 84 in 2004. Of the 84, only five were considered official candidates.

On the other hand, there are 20 vice presidential candidates who filed their COCs this year, which is one candidate shy of the 21 in the previous national elections. Of the 21, only four were allowed to run during the election proper.

For senatorial aspirants, a total of 158 filed for next year compared to only 88 in 2004. Of the 88, only 48 were declared official candidates.

A total of 68,000 candidates ran in the May 2004 elections while some 46,000 aspirants filed their COCs in the 2007 local elections.