The COMELEC today, 8 Feruary 2012, via COMELEC Resolution No. 9359 promulgated the following:
1. That any party-list group duly registered under the party-list system of representation, desiring to participate in the May 13, 2013 National and Local Elections shall file with the Commission, a Manifestation of Intent to Participate in the Party-List Election, together with its list of at least five nominees, no later than May 31, 2012 at the close of business hours;
2. That in the event the petition for registration of a group remains pending with the Commission, said group shall, nevertheless, file a Manifestation of Intent to Participate in the Part-List Elections, together with its list of nominees within the prescribed period; and
3. That any party-list group who fails to file a Manifestation of Intent to Participate in the Part-List Elections, together with its list of nominees within the prescribed period, shall not be eligible to participate in the May 13, 2013.
In other words, the party-list equivalent of filing a certificate of candidacy has been bumped up to the end of May this year. That’s a little under four months from now. This deadline is not to be confused with March 31, 2012 which is the deadline for registering your party-list organization.
Just so we’re clear:
IF your PL Group is NOT registered yet, you have until March 31, 2012 to get it registered with the COMELEC.
IF your PL Group IS registered, you have until May 31, 2012 to file your Manifestation of Intent to Participate in the 2013 Elections.
IF your PL Group is not yet registered, but you wanna join the elections in 2013, FILE FOR REGISTRATION before March 31, 2012 and FILE YOUR MANIFESTATION OF INTENT TO PARTICIPATE anyway, and you have until May 31, 2012 to do it.
