The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has implemented stricter guidelines on party-list nominee substitutions to close loopholes that allowed groups to replace their original sectoral representatives after winning congressional seats.
COMELEC Chairperson Atty. George Erwin Garcia explained that party-list organizations are now required to submit a comprehensive list of 10 nominees.
Under the updated policy, voluntary withdrawals, health excuses, or personal reasons will no longer justify bringing in outsiders.
“Sinabi namin, kapagka isa sa mga 10 nominees na ‘yan ay umalis dahil may sakit kuno o ayaw na o may personal reason, hindi namin papayagan ang substitution,” Garcia stated during an interview with the Bilyonaryo News Channel (BNC).
The poll chief pointed out that past practices often involved groups utilizing legitimate sectoral representatives to win votes during elections, only to swap them out later for individuals who lacked ties to the represented sectors.
To correct this, vacancies will now be filled internally through a strict succession process.
“Ang mangyayari, kung ‘yung number four, ‘yun ang magiging number one, ‘yung number five, ‘yun ang magiging number two, and so on and so forth,” Garcia elaborated, noting that the measure prevents voters from being misled about their congressional representatives.
This regulatory shift follows a recent high-profile instance in May, where COMELEC proclaimed Karl Josef Legazpi as the representative for the Pinoy Workers Party-list despite his omission from the original nominee lineup, following the incumbent’s resignation.
In addition to tightening substitution rules, Garcia reported that COMELEC has canceled the registrations of 50 party-list groups for failing to meet statutory vote thresholds or electoral participation requirements. Notable organizations delisted include Bayan Muna, Magdalo, Buhay, and BOSES (formerly Mothers for Change or MOCHA Party-list).
The poll body urged citizens to file petitions against groups suspected of misrepresenting their sectors. Furthermore, Garcia called on Congress to update the decades-old Party-List System Act and enact an anti-political dynasty law to further safeguard genuine sectoral representation.