ELECTIONS chairman George Garcia yesterday said names of the official nominees of party-list groups participating in next year’s midterm and local elections will be published this week on the website of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to allow the public to scrutinize them.

In a phone interview, Garcia said the publication of the nominees’ names would allow the public to screen them.

“This is so they (public) will know who are the nominees and be able to check if they really belong to the sectors they claim to be part of. This can, then, be used to file (disqualification) cases against them,” he said.

Some 156 party-list organizations have been given the green light to be included in the official ballots for the May 2025 polls.

All party-list groups were required to identify 10 nominees from which the party-list representatives shall be chosen in case it obtains the required number of votes.

Garcia called on the electorate to scrutinize the qualifications of the party-list nominees looking to win seats in the House of Representatives.

“Let us know them, analyze them, and be critical (of their qualifications),” he said.

Under Resolution No. 9366, the qualifications for a party-list nominee include being a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, must be a registered voter, a resident of the Philippines for a period of not less than one year immediately preceding election day, must be able to read and write, must be a bona fide member of the party he seeks to represent for at least 90 days preceding Election Day, and must be at least 25 years of age.

Comelec rules provide that any person may file a verified petition to deny due course to the nomination of party-list nominees exclusively on the ground that a material misrepresentation has been committed in the qualification of the nominees.

The poll body said all petitions to deny due course or cancellation of nomination of party-list nominees shall be filed within five days after the publication of the list of nominees.

The Comelec on Friday held an electronic raffle that determined the placements of the 156 party-list organizations in the official ballot for next year’s elections.

The top 12 spots went to 4PS (Pagtibayin at Palaguin ang Pangkabuhayang Pilipino), PPP (Puwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat), FPJ Panday Bayanihan, Kabataan, Duterte Youth (Duty to Energize the Republic through the Enlightenment of the Youth, ML (Mamamayang Liberal), PBBM (Pilipinas Babangon Muli), P3PWD (Komunidad ng Pamilya Pasyente at Persons with Disabilities), Murang Kuryente, Bicol Saro, Ipatupad (Ipatud for Workers, Inc.), and Patrol (Public Safety Alliance for Transformation and Rule of Law, Inc.).

The CLICK party-list group secured the 34th spot. The group’s first nominee is lawyer Nick Conti, a former commissioner of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) and the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).

“We are proud to be #34 on the ballot. It is a number we hope our supporters will keep in mind as we continue our advocacy for greater digital access, innovation, and empowerment through technology,” Conti said after the raffle.

The CLICK party-list aims to represent key stakeholders of the Philippines’ digital ecosystem, which includes over 85 million internet users, 156 million mobile connections, 84 million social media users, and 80 million mobile wallet users.

The digital community also consists of 57 million e-commerce buyers, 10 million cryptocurrency users, 48 million e-sports enthusiasts, 1.5 million freelance content creators, over 2 million online sellers, 2.2 million overseas Filipino workers, and 12.3 million senior citizens.

A total of 124 out of 156 accredited organizations attended the raffle.

The electronic raffle was first introduced in the 2022 polls to determine the order of the listing of party-list groups in the official ballots. It was adopted to avoid organizations from jostling for names in alphabetical order or via numbers.

POLITICAL DYNASTIES

Despite the absence of a law against political dynasties, the multisectoral group Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan (ANIM) yesterday called on the public to file disqualification cases against political aspirants seeking to replace or succeed immediate family members that are incumbent public officials.

In a statement, ANIM urged the public to take action against members of political dynasties seeking to extend their hold on public posts during the May 2025 polls.

“We are encouraging the public to file separate disqualification cases against the dynasties in their respective areas because these dynasties can only be disqualified as candidates or removed from office if a disqualification case is filed against them,” said ANIM lead lawyer Alex Lacson.

“If no disqualification case is filed against them, they will remain in office,” Lacson said.

Citing Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution which provides that the State shall “guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law,” Lacson said it was the clear intent of the framers of the 1987 Constitution to prohibit political dynasties.

“It was the clear intention of the framers of the 1987 Philippine Constitution that the immediate family members of a graduating congressman, governor, or mayor are prohibited and disqualified from running for the same position to replace and succeed their graduating relatives,” he said.

He also said: “All provisions of the Constitution are presumed to be self-executing. And in case of doubt, it must be resolved in favor of that presumption, that the constitutional provision is self-executing.”

ANIM said it has filed petitions for the disqualification of former President Rodrigo Duterte, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Sen. Cynthia Villar, Ilocos Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc, and Catanduanes Vice Governor Peter Cua.

“These political dynasties have turned politics into a family business, using the machinery of our government, for their personal enrichment rather than the public good,” it said.

Lacson said ANIM is prepared to assist anyone who would want to file disqualification complaints before the Comelec.

“We can send them the pro-forma Petition for Disqualification whether against a congressman, governor, or mayor. They will just fill in the blanks. We will also provide a step-by-step guideline,” he said.

In a related development, a candidate for councilor in Las Piñas City has asked the Comelec to investigate the identities of persons allegedly involved in a vote-buying operation during the filing of certificates of candidacy last October 7.

Lawyer Zardi Melito Abellera from the city’s District 1 sent the poll body a letter and attached a USB which contained a one minute and 26-second video clip showing a woman wearing a white shirt checking or listing the names of attendees and handing out money to a woman who signed the list before leaving.

“The brazen vote-buying conducted in public should be investigated and the participants prosecuted to send a message to the public that the Comelec shall strictly implement the country’s election laws,” Abellera said in his letter.

THE Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Professional Regulatory Board for Customs Brokers (PRBCB) yesterday warned the public against individuals falsely claiming to be customs brokers.

The PRC said the public must be vigilant and avoid dealing with unregistered or unlicensed customs brokers. 

“We are warning the public against dealing with individuals or entities claiming or representing themselves as registered or licensed customs brokers offering professional services or assistance in any PRC-related transactions,” said the PRC.

“The public is highly encouraged to be cautious in transacting with any individual or entities to prevent unauthorized or illegal practice of professions,” it added.

The agency noted that a registered professional is a passer of any licensure examinations conducted by the PRC and has taken his/her oath of profession.

“The public is advised to verify the credentials of individuals claiming to be customs brokers or any profession to ensure compliance with regulations,” said the PRC.

In case of encounters with unauthorized practices or illegitimate activities, the PRC urged the public to quickly report them.

“To report any suspicious or unauthorized practices, please email us at arta@prc.gov.ph,” said the PRC.

The warning was issued as part of the PRC’s and the PRBCB’s expressions of solidarity with the Bureau of Customs.

“We stand in solidarity with the Bureau of Customs in its commitment to upholding the integrity of the customs brokerage profession and taking action against unauthorized activities,” said the PRC.

SORSOGON Bishop Emeritus Arturo Bastes passed away yesterday morning in Cainta, Rizal at the age of 80, five years after he retired.

An announcement by the Diocese of Sorsogon said Bastes died around 6:30 a.m. in his brother’s residence in Cainta.

“He was 80 years of age, 54 years priest, 27 years bishop, 16 years Bishop of Sorsogon,” noted the Sorsogon diocese.

It called on the faithful to join the entire Diocese of Sorsogon in praying for the soul of Bastes.

“We enjoin all to be united with us, the Sorsogon clergy, Bishop Alan (Dialogo), the clergy, the religious, the missionaries, and the lay faithful of Sorsogon, to offer prayers and sacrifices for the eternal repose of Bishop Nonoy,” said the Sorsogon diocese.

Born in April 1944 in Loboc, Bohol, Bastes was ordained a priest in November 1970.

He was appointed bishop of Romblon back in July 1997.

In April 2003, Bastes was appointed the bishop of Sorsogon.

He retired in October 2019 at the age of 75 and was succeeded by Dialogo.

Bastes was known for being an anti-mining advocate after leading the “Bastes Commission,” which recommended a mining moratorium on Rapu-Rapu Island, and that existing mining permits in the area be suspended in order to comprehensively study and address the issue of ecological conservation.

FILIPINO workers in Lebanon have expressed concerns over the escalating conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group, saying many of them are already getting “traumatized,” according to the group Migrante International.

It said the Filipino workers there need constant support and assistance as tension continues to rise/

“We, Filipino migrant workers in Lebanon, and our families in the Philippines are deeply concerned about the escalating conflict in Lebanon,” the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) said in a manifesto released by Migrante.

“We fear for our safety and well-being. We are traumatized by the bombings and explosions, and we need immediate support and assistance,” they added.

The OFWs asked government to release and execute an “urgent, comprehensive blueprint for the facilitation of mass rescue, evacuation, and repatriation” of Filipino nationals in Lebanon.

They also appealed to the Philippine government to secure chartered flights dedicated to bringing Filipinos and their dependents safely back home to the Philippines, as well as ground vehicles in Lebanon to transport Filipinos to safe evacuation centers or temporary shelters.

President Marcos, on October 9, directed government agencies to mobilize all assets in preparation for the repatriation of Filipinos affected by the crisis in the Middle East, as he said government will evacuate “our people by whatever means — by air, or by sea.”

The OFWs in Lebanon also an expansion of the capacity of temporary shelters, to accommodate more distressed Filipinos awaiting repatriation or seeking refuge.

There were 525 OFWs, as well as 30 dependents, who have been repatriated from Lebanon through the government’s voluntary repatriation program. Over 11,000 OFWs are based in Lebanon, which has been the site of the hostilities between the Hezbollah and Israeli forces.

JUST a week after the end of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2025 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections yesterday released the names of 66 aspirants who made it to the initial list of candidates for next year’s Senate race.

The Comelec en banc, through Minute Resolution No. 24-0824, approved the recommendation of its Law Department which endorsed the inclusion of the 66 names in the official ballot for next year’s polls.

“The Commission resolves to adopt the recommendation of the Law Department to consider the below as partial/initial list of names of 66 aspirants for senator,” said the Comelec.

A total of 184 individuals filed their COCs for senator at the Tent City of the Manila Hotel from October 1 to 8.

Former defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana, however, withdrew his COC for senator, which trimmed down the list to 183.

There will be 12 vacant seats in the Senate that are up for grabs during next year’s polls.

In the initial list of senatorial hopefuls are the 11 members of the Marcos administration’s “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas” senatorial slate, namely Senators Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Francis Tolentino; former senators Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Panfilo Lacson, Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao; House deputy speaker Camille Villar, ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, Makati Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay, and former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos.

Presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos, who is running as an independent despite her inclusion in the administration coalition’s slate, is also included in the initial list.

Others who made it to the list are known allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte, namely Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go; detained pastor Apollo Quiboloy, former executive secretary Victor Rodriguez, Raul Lambino, James Bondoc, Phillip Salvador and Jesus Hinlo.

The Comelec also included in the list former senators Bam Aquino, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, AGRI party-list Rep Wilbert Lee, former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson, former national security adviser Norberto Gonzales, former Commission on Audit commissioner Heidi Mendoza, Dr. Willie Ong, retired Marine officer Ariel Querubin, broadcaster Ben Tulfo, TV host Willie Revillame, and labor leaders Sonny Matula, Luke Espiritu, and Leody de Guzman.

The entire 11-man slate of the Makabayan Coalition, namely registered nurse Jocelyn Andamo, PISTON leader Mody Floranda, Kadamay secretary general Mimi Doringo, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, Kilusang Mayo Uno secretary general Jerome Adonis, Pamalakaya vice chairperson Ronnel Arambulo, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chair Danilo Ramos, former Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza, former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, and Sandugo co-chairperson Almirah Lidasan, also made the list.

Completing the list are Wilson Amad, Ernesto Arellano, Roberto Ballon, Bonifacio Bosita, Roy Cabognero, Allen Capuyan, Angelo de Alban, David D’Angelo, Arnel Escobal, Marc Gamboa, Relly Jose, Norman Marquez, Eric Martinez, Richard Mata, Jose Montemayor, Jose Olivar, Nur Ana Sahidulla, Michael Tapado, Mario Valbuena, and Leandro Verceles.

According to the Law Department, it conducted a thorough evaluation of the names of COC filers immediately after the COC filing period concluded on October 8.

“This Department conducted a very careful evaluation of the aspirants, which includes research of their background, affiliations, advocacies, platforms of government, general appearance and presence in the public, media, and internet, and behavioral actions,” it said.

117 COC FILERS

The poll body said the list is not yet final as additional names maybe added once hearings on petitions to declare candidates as nuisance candidates are completed.

“The above list is without prejudice to the decision of the division or en banc in the petitions to declare as nuisance candidates filed by the Law Department,” said the Comelec.

The en banc has authorized the Law Department “to initiate, on behalf of the Commission, the motu proprio filing of petitions to declare as nuisance candidates against the named 117 aspirants.”

It has likewise ordered the Commission’s Office of the Clerk to immediately docket and raffle the petitions that will be filed to the appropriate division for their speedy resolution.

QUIBOLOY

The Workers’ and Peasants’ Party (WPP) yesterday formally asked the Comeleec to cancel the certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) submitted by Quiboloy when he filed his COC to run for senator in the May 2025 polls.

In a petition, the political party also asked the poll body to disqualify Quiboloy for making material misrepresentation when he submitted an invalid CONA claiming to be an official candidate of the WPP.

“It is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Commission immediately cancel the certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) issued in favor of respondent pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy on the ground that it was submitted by unauthorized persons and without the authority from the Workers’ and Peasants’ Party (WPP),” said the WPP.

“(It is respectfully prayed) to declare the nomination of pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy null and void and order his removal as official candidate of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Party (WPP) for the position of senator in the upcoming elections,” it added.

“(The Commission should) cancel his COC and disqualify Mr. Quiboloy as a senatorial candidate for material misrepresentation and being a nuisance,” it also said.

Last week, Quiboloy filed his COC to run for senator in the May 2025 polls, through his authorized representative, lawyer Mark Tolentino.

Quiboloy’s COC included an attachment of his CONA allegedly from the WPP and was signed by one “Mark Kristopher Tolentino.

But according to the WPP, only the names of lawyers Ariel Arias and Jose Sonny G. Matula, and Dr. Oscar L. Morado, the WPP chairperson, president, and senior vice president, respectively, are the ones listed in the sworn list of the party’s authorized signatories submitted to the Comelec.

“Atty. Ariel Arias, Atty. Jose Sonny G. Matula and Dr. Oscar Morado vehemently denied authorizing anybody, more so signing any certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) allowing the inclusion of respondent Apollo C. Quiboloy to be a senatorial candidate of petitioner WPP,” it said.

“The individual who submitted the CONA of the respondent was not authorized to do so under the Party’s internal procedures and rules submitted to this Honorable Commission, including the authorized signatories for such certificates,” added the party.

But aside from having Quiboloy’s CONA cancelled, the WPP said he must also be disqualified from running in the forthcoming elections.

“Using an unauthorized certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) in the Philippines is a serious election offense. A CONA is typically issued by a political party to officially endorse a candidate as their nominee. Using a fraudulent or unauthorized CONA can lead to disqualification or other penalties,” said the party.

“If a candidate submits an unauthorized or falsified CONA, their candidacy may be nullified, and they may face disqualification proceedings,” added the WPP.

Quiboloy is detained at Camp Crame in Quezon City while facing charges of human trafficking and child and sexual abuse.

Quiboloy’s name has been included in the Comelec’s initial list of senatorial aspirants for the May 2025 polls.

AMID questions on the capability of the service provider for the May 2025 national and local polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday said the companies left in the joint venture led by Miru Systems are more than capable of completing the automated election system (AES) project.

In an interview, Comelec chairman George Garcia said Miru Systems, along with local partners Integrated Computer Systems (ICS) and Centerpoint Solutions Technologies, Inc. (CPSTI), have the capacity to complete the project as seen in the replacement Net Financial Contracting Capacity (NFCC) they submitted.

“The NFCC submitted by Miru Systems amounts to more or less P20 billion, even as their requirement is only P17.98 billion,” said Garcia, adding that this is “way more than the commitment of the joint venture to the project.”

In the copy of the NFCC submitted by Miru, it showed that the actual amount from ICS is around P19.5 billion.

“The remaining partners to the oint Venture wish to highlight and emphasize that the foregoing ICS’s NFCC amounting to P19,508,144,806.50 is more than sufficient to cover the P17,988,878,226.55 contract amount,” said Miru.

The assurance was issued on the heels of the withdrawal of the St. Timothy’s Construction Company (STCC) from the joint venture, which bagged the poll automation contract.

Miru previously stated that the STCC was the one that provided the NFCC for the AES project.

The withdrawal of STCC, thus, prompted the Comelec to require the remaining members of the joint venture to submit a replacement NFCC.

The Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition (R2KRN) has questioned the capability of the remaining members of the joint venture, including their financial capacity to complete the project.

Garcia said the Comelec en banc will still evaluate the submission of the replacement NFCC to see if it satisfies their requirement.

“We will be looking at the attached contracts and will subject them to verification later on to see if it is in compliance with the Comelec resolution,” said Garcia.

The Philippines now has 87 dioceses and archdioceses after the Vatican established the Diocese of Prosperidad which will cover the province of Agusan del Sur.

A report of CBCP News on late Tuesday said Pope Francis also appointed Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Ruben Labajo as its first shepherd.

“The new diocese, which comprises the province of Agusan del Sur, was carved out of the 57-year-old Diocese of Butuan, which now covers only Agusan del Norte,” said CBCP News, the official news agency of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

“It will be a suffragan diocese of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro,” it added.

CBCP News said the establishment of the Diocese of Prosperidad stemmed from a petition filed by Butuan Bishop Cosme Damian Almedilla in 2023.

Almedilla has said the division would be a “strategic move” as it would foster the spiritual growth of the faithful and improve administrative efficiency within the respective dioceses.

He also referred to Agusan del Sur as a “missionary frontier” as its communities are spread across the landlocked and mountainous province.

Labajo, 58, was ordained priest for the Cebu archdiocese on June 10, 1994.

In June 2022, Pope Francis appointed him as auxiliary bishop of Cebu.

Labajo is set to lead the new diocese that has a Catholic population of 486,251 and about 60 priests.

In a brief statement, Labajo said, “Whatever God wants me to do, I will do it, willingly and lovingly. Whatever is God’s will for me, wherever He wills me to go, I will go.”

HEALTH advocates yesterday asked government to adopt policies that will make food warning labels mandatory nationwide, citing persistent threats of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like obesity.

“Everyone has the right to be informed about what we consume. We deserve to be warned about food ingredients that could potentially harm our health. Every Filipino deserves access to clear, easy-to-understand information about the food they are consuming,” the Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA) said in a statement.

“Food warning labels that disclose the amounts of critical nutrients, like sugar, sodium, and fats, are essential for making healthy dietary choices and preventing NCDs. Our policymakers and legislators need to accelerate strategies to mitigate unhealthy diets and NCDs,” it added.

HPA said they are issuing the call because of the prevalence of NCDs in the Philippines.

“We are facing an alarming rise in childhood obesity, as well as cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading killers in the Philippines,” said the group. “Our unhealthy food environment dominated by ultra-processed foods is failing us.”

The group stressed that the current policy of mandatory back-of-pack nutrition facts and voluntary front-of-pack labeling practices in the Philippines is inadequate.

“There is growing evidence that show food warning labels, compared to other kinds of front-of-pack labeling schemes, more effectively discourages consumers to purchase unhealthy food or drinks,” said HPA.

MORE than 10,000 call center agents are wanted due to high vacancies in the country, according to the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE).

Based on BLE data, the top job vacancy is for call center agents from September 27 to October 3.

A total of 10,420 vacancies for call center agents are registered with the BLE, followed by the high demand for 10,000 construction laborers for buildings.

There are also 4,506 job vacancies for sales coordinators.

The BLE said customer service assistants are also in demand with 3,006 job vacancies.

Completing the top five are demands for production workers with 2,628 vacancies.

The BLE said the data is based on the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Employment Information System (PEIS) sourced nationwide.

Also serving as a source of information is the government-run job matching portal PhilJobNet.

FOUR more Filipino crew members of the missile-hit M/V Minoan Courage have been  repatriated, nearly two weeks since tragedy struck the bulk carrier in the Red Sea.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said four Filipino crewmen arrived in Manila on October 13.

“This is the second batch of the 21 Filipino seafarers set for repatriation after the Greek bulk carrier was struck by Houthi rebels on October 1, 2024 while traversing the Red Sea,” the agency said in a social media post.

The Department said the first batch composed of seven seafarers arrived home on October 9.

“The remaining 10 seafarers are expected to return home soon in coordination with their licensed manning agencies and the shipowner,” said the DMW.

All of the repatriated Filipino seafarers are entitled to financial assistance from the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

The DMW said the manning agency has arranged hotel accommodations for the repatriated seafarers as they await their scheduled psychiatric evaluation.