22 party-list groups may not be proclaimed this month

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) may not be able to proclaim the 22 other winning party-list groups this month, an official said yesterday.

In an interview, Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said the agency would have to wait for the results of the special polls conducted in Lanao del Sur, Sarangani, Western Samar and Basilan.

The Comelec also has to conduct special polls in some precincts in eight towns in Lanao del Sur, even as there are also pending petitions for the conduct of such elections in Abra, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.

Sarmiento added the results of the special elections are needed to determine the number of seats that the winning party-list groups could occupy in the House of Representatives.

“We may not be able to do it before June 30… maybe next month. There are still thousands of votes in these areas and we have to include them in the computation,” Sarmiento said.

He is hopeful, however, that all the winning party-list groups shall have been proclaimed when president-elect Benigno Aquino III delivers his first State of the Nation Address in late July.

Last month, the Comelec, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, proclaimed the first 28 groups that were given 35 seats in the House. –Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star)