Comelec Halts Proclamation of Party-List Winners
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has suspended the May 19 proclamation of two party-list groups who secured seats in the 2025 midterm elections. This decision comes amid pending cases involving these groups, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Comelec, acting as the National Board of Canvassers, chose to delay the proclamation to address the outstanding legal issues first. Since the new officials’ terms begin on June 30, there is sufficient time to resolve these cases before they assume office.
“We have two party-list groups who won’t be proclaimed winners [today as scheduled]. The Comelec decided to suspend the proclamation due to pending cases [against these party-list groups], not because of the motion or manifestation seeking to suspend the proclamation,” a Comelec official explained.
Pending Cases and Their Impact on Proclamation
The official declined to name the two party-list groups, noting that one won three seats and the other secured one seat. Importantly, the suspension does not invalidate their victories.
“Hindi po nangangahulugan na hindi makakasama sa proclamation ay hindi na nanalo. Nanalo po sila. Kaya po pinagpaliban muna [ang proklamasyon] bilang pag-respeto sa proseso rin. Kasi kahit po iproklama ng National Board [of Canvassers] ang party-list, pwede pa rin naman po namin desisyunan ‘yung kaso bago mag-June 30 dahil nga po magiging congressman lang po ang lahat ng mapoproklama ngayon sa June 30. Mas maganda po na i-resolve muna natin iyong kaso para hindi po masayang iyong proklamasyon,” the official added.
In English, this means: The delayed proclamation does not mean they did not win. They won. The proclamation was postponed to respect due process because even if they are proclaimed now, the case can still be decided before June 30, when all winners begin their terms. It is better to resolve the cases first to avoid wasting the proclamation.
Party-List Seats Distribution for 2025
Additionally, Comelec sources confirmed that there are 63 seats allocated for party-list representatives in the House, which constitute 20% of all members as mandated by the Constitution.
These 63 seats will be filled by 54 party-list groups. Among them, three groups will receive three seats each, while another three groups will get two seats each. This allocation reflects the groups that surpassed the 2% vote threshold in the party-list race, consistent with legal provisions and the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Banat v. Comelec case.
The remaining party-list groups will each receive one seat to complete the 63 available positions.
Sources emphasized that this distribution follows the established legal framework and aims to ensure fair representation in the House of Representatives.
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