Comelec names dominant majority, minority parties
(UPDATE) THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has named Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) as the dominant majority party and the Nacionalista Party as the dominant minority party in May 12 polls. The Comelec also accredited nine other major political parties and 14 majority local parties, which was declared as the sole major local party of their region, province and city. The commission on Thursday released Resolution 11119, promulgated on March 5 in compliance with Section 34 of Republic Act (RA) 9369, which provides that the Comelec will name the dominant majority party, dominant minority party and six major political parties, each of which shall be entitled to one official watcher in every polling place and canvassing center. Under RA 9369, the Comelec will furnish the dominant majority and dominant minority parties, 10 accredited major national parties and two accredited major local parties with copies of the election returns and the certificates of canvass. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said that since only 11 political parties filed a petition for accreditation, from which the dominant majority and dominant parties were selected, only nine major political parties have been accredited. The major political parties are the Akbayan Citizens Action Party, Aksyon Demokratiko, Liberal Party of the Philippines, Nationalist People's Coalition, National Unity Party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, Partido Demokratikong Reporma, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and United Nationalist Alliance. Of the 15 parties that sought accreditation as major local parties, only 14 have been found by Comelec to have complied with the criteria set by law. The 14 major local parties are the Arangkada San Joseno Inc. (Arangkada) for San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan; Asenso Manileno Movement (Asenso Manileno) for Manila; Bileg Party (Bileg) for the province of Ilocos Sur; Filipino Rights Protection Advocates of Manila Movement (Frontliners And Bida) for the National Capital Region; Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (MTL) for Davao City; Kusog Bikolandia (KB) for Region 5 (Bicol Region); Malayang Kilusan ng mga Mamamayang Zambaleno (Makimaza), Zambales province; Partido Balikatan ng Bataan (Balikatan), Bataan province; Partido Navoteno (Navoteno), Navotas City; Serbisyo sa Bayan Party (SBP), Quezon City; Solidarity for Transportation, Advancement Nationalism Toward a Dynamic, United and Progressive Quezon Province (Stand-Up or Stan Q), Quezon province; Together as One (TAO), Region 2 (Cagayan Valley); Unang Sigaw Partido Pagbabago (Unang Sigaw), Nueva Ecija; and Umpungan ng Mapagmalasaki Party (UMP), Maguindanao province. There are six criteria for accrediting political parties. They must be based on the established record of the parties, coalition or groups that now compose them, taking into account their showing in the past elections; the number of incumbent election officials belonging to them on the last day of the filing of certificate of candidacy; and their identifiable political organizations and strengths as evidence by their organized chapters. Also taken into account is the party's ability to field a slate of candidates from the municipal level to the senatorial positions, the number of women candidates fielded by political parties from the municipal level to the position of senator; and other analogous circumstances that may determine their relative organizations and strengths. Speaker Martin Romualdez, the Lakas-CMD president, said on Thursday the Comelec's recognition of the party as the dominant majority party is a "reaffirmation of the party's legacy of leadership and action." "This is a significant moment for us — not just as a political organization, but as a team that has consistently worked to move the country forward," Romualdez said. He highlighted the party's long-standing contributions to national development, citing its history of producing two presidents and shaping key policies that strengthened the economy, enhanced national security and built critical infrastructure. "Lakas-CMD has been here before. We have led, we have governed, and we have delivered. Our party has produced two Presidents and played a major role in shaping policies that strengthened the economy, improved national security and built critical infrastructure," Romualdez said. He said that the party's dominant status comes with the responsibility of advancing the Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) agenda for a more efficient government, inclusive economic growth and the restoration of public trust in institutions. Romualdez said the recognition of Lakas as the dominant majority party reinforces its role in upholding electoral integrity and democratic processes. "This also means ensuring that the 2025 elections are clean, credible and orderly. Dominant status comes with the duty to help safeguard the democratic process, making sure that the people's will is upheld and that governance remains focused on t
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
(UPDATE) THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has named Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) as the dominant majority party and the Nacionalista Party as the dominant minority party in May 12 polls.
The Comelec also accredited nine other major political parties and 14 majority local parties, which was declared as the sole major local party of their region, province and city.
The commission on Thursday released Resolution 11119, promulgated on March 5 in compliance with Section 34 of Republic Act (RA) 9369, which provides that the Comelec will name the dominant majority party, dominant minority party and six major political parties, each of which shall be entitled to one official watcher in every polling place and canvassing center.
Under RA 9369, the Comelec will furnish the dominant majority and dominant minority parties, 10 accredited major national parties and two accredited major local parties with copies of the election returns and the certificates of canvass.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said that since only 11 political parties filed a petition for accreditation, from which the dominant majority and dominant parties were selected, only nine major political parties have been accredited.
The major political parties are the Akbayan Citizens Action Party, Aksyon Demokratiko, Liberal Party of the Philippines, Nationalist People's Coalition, National Unity Party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, Partido Demokratikong Reporma, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and United Nationalist Alliance.
Of the 15 parties that sought accreditation as major local parties, only 14 have been found by Comelec to have complied with the criteria set by law.
The 14 major local parties are the Arangkada San Joseno Inc. (Arangkada) for San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan; Asenso Manileno Movement (Asenso Manileno) for Manila; Bileg Party (Bileg) for the province of Ilocos Sur; Filipino Rights Protection Advocates of Manila Movement (Frontliners And Bida) for the National Capital Region; Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (MTL) for Davao City; Kusog Bikolandia (KB) for Region 5 (Bicol Region); Malayang Kilusan ng mga Mamamayang Zambaleno (Makimaza), Zambales province; Partido Balikatan ng Bataan (Balikatan), Bataan province; Partido Navoteno (Navoteno), Navotas City; Serbisyo sa Bayan Party (SBP), Quezon City; Solidarity for Transportation, Advancement Nationalism Toward a Dynamic, United and Progressive Quezon Province (Stand-Up or Stan Q), Quezon province; Together as One (TAO), Region 2 (Cagayan Valley); Unang Sigaw Partido Pagbabago (Unang Sigaw), Nueva Ecija; and Umpungan ng Mapagmalasaki Party (UMP), Maguindanao province.
There are six criteria for accrediting political parties. They must be based on the established record of the parties, coalition or groups that now compose them, taking into account their showing in the past elections; the number of incumbent election officials belonging to them on the last day of the filing of certificate of candidacy; and their identifiable political organizations and strengths as evidence by their organized chapters.
Also taken into account is the party's ability to field a slate of candidates from the municipal level to the senatorial positions, the number of women candidates fielded by political parties from the municipal level to the position of senator; and other analogous circumstances that may determine their relative organizations and strengths.
Speaker Martin Romualdez, the Lakas-CMD president, said on Thursday the Comelec's recognition of the party as the dominant majority party is a "reaffirmation of the party's legacy of leadership and action."
"This is a significant moment for us — not just as a political organization, but as a team that has consistently worked to move the country forward," Romualdez said.
He highlighted the party's long-standing contributions to national development, citing its history of producing two presidents and shaping key policies that strengthened the economy, enhanced national security and built critical infrastructure.
"Lakas-CMD has been here before. We have led, we have governed, and we have delivered. Our party has produced two Presidents and played a major role in shaping policies that strengthened the economy, improved national security and built critical infrastructure," Romualdez said.
He said that the party's dominant status comes with the responsibility of advancing the Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) agenda for a more efficient government, inclusive economic growth and the restoration of public trust in institutions.
Romualdez said the recognition of Lakas as the dominant majority party reinforces its role in upholding electoral integrity and democratic processes.
"This also means ensuring that the 2025 elections are clean, credible and orderly. Dominant status comes with the duty to help safeguard the democratic process, making sure that the people's will is upheld and that governance remains focused on their needs," he said.
