MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has scheduled the raffle for party-list organizations to determine the order of listing in the official ballot on Oct. 18.
“For the 2025 National and Local Elections, the raffle shall be conducted at 9 a.m. 18 October 2024, or at any later date designated by the Commission, Chairman’s Hall, Ground Floor, Palacio del Gobernador Bldg., Intramuros, Manila and simultaneously aired through the official streaming platform being utilized by the Education and Information Department,” the Commission en banc said in Comelec Resolution 11068 promulgated on Wednesday.
Existing and newly registered party-list groups, organizations, or coalitions are allowed to participate in the raffle.
The Comelec said the placing of each group would be determined through an electronic raffle, to be headed by the Clerk of the Commission.
Before the raffle, the poll body said all equipment, peripherals, software, and components to be used for the conduct of the automated raffle, which are properly sealed as far as practicable, shall be exhibited before the party-list groups, organizations, or coalitions in attendance.
“After the software or application has randomized the listing of all eligible party-list groups, organizations, or coalitions, the officer in charge of the software shall print the list,” it said.
“No appeal, motion for reconsideration, or motion to re-raffle shall be entertained by the Commission.”
The Comelec first implemented the raffle system in the 2013 elections to prevent organizations from jostling for names that start with the first letter of the alphabet or number because the list used to be alphabetized.
Meanwhile, the Comelec on Wednesday officially proclaimed the Akbayan Citizens Action Party (Akbayan) as a winner in the 2022 party-list polls.
In the Certificate of Proclamation released by the National Board of Canvassers, Akbayan First Nominee Percival V. Cendaña was proclaimed as the one to sit as a member of the 19th Congress.
In an interview, Comelec chairman George Garcia said the newly proclaimed group and representative could immediately assume office.
"At least, he is able to make it before the break. Once they resume session in Congress come November, he is already considered as a member of the House of Representatives," he said.
The proclamation was conducted after the decision of the Supreme Court upholding the earlier ruling of the Comelec to cancel An Waray’s registration as a party-list organization. (PNA)
