Comelec Supports Proclamation of ML Party-list Nominee
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Friday that it sees no valid reason to halt the proclamation of the ML Party-list and its first nominee, former senator Leila de Lima. This assurance comes despite a recent Court of Appeals decision that nullified her acquittal in a drug-related case.
Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia emphasized, “Wala tayong nakikitang kadahilanan para mapahinto ang proklamasyon ng nabanggit na personalidad o party-list sapagkat hindi pa naman ‘yun final conviction ng CA.” He clarified that since the Court of Appeals ruling is not yet final, the proclamation process should continue.
He further explained, “Wala rin namang pending case sa amin ang nasabing party-list para kami ay mag-issue ng order to suspend any proclamation.” In other words, no active case is filed with Comelec against the ML Party-list that would justify suspending the proclamation of its nominee.
Legal Proceedings and Appeal Options
Last Thursday, the Court of Appeals released a 12-page decision granting a petition from the Office of the Solicitor General. This petition challenged de Lima’s acquittal in a drug case linked to former Bureau of Corrections chief Rafael Ragos. Following this, the case was sent back to Branch 204 of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court for further proceedings.
De Lima has expressed her intention to appeal the Court of Appeals decision all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.
Garcia commented on the legal process: “Ang alam po natin bilang isang abogado na ang decision ng CA ay subject sa motion for reconsideration. Kung hindi man, pupwedeng maitaas sa Supreme Court.” This means the decision can still be reconsidered or elevated to the highest court.
Why Suspension of Proclamation is Unwarranted
The Commission on Elections chairperson also noted, “Parang hindi tama na mag-suspend ng proclamation ng isang winning party-list o nominee dahil sa isang desisyon na hindi final. Again, walang epekto ‘yan sa magiging proclamation natin sa kanilang party-list o personalidad kung siya man ay nominee ng isang party-list.”
This highlights the Comelec’s stance that a non-final court decision should not affect the proclamation of winning party-lists or their nominees.
ML Party-list’s Expected Return to Congress
Leila de Lima is poised to make her return to Congress as the first nominee of the ML Party-list, which secured a seat in the House of Representatives for the 20th Congress. According to the national certificate of canvass, the ML Party-list ranked 14th in the party-list race, earning 547,949 votes during the 2025 midterm elections.
Comelec’s position affirms the ML Party-list nominee’s proclamation, reinforcing the importance of following the established legal process before any changes can be made.
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