The Commission on Elections said on Thursday that all registered political parties or coalitions of political parties have only until Aug. 31 to submit their Sworn Information Update Statement or face cancellation of their parties and prohibited from fielding their candidates in the May 2019 local elections.
In a statement, the Comelec said it will not extend the Aug. 31 deadline since all political parties were properly advised and given ample time to submit their SIUS.
Based on Comelec data, there are currently 169 registered or accredited political parties nationwide.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said failure to comply with the requirement despite due notice shall constitute prima facie case that the political party or coalition of political parties concerned already ceased to exist, and shall be a cause for the party’s and coalition’s cancellation of registration.
“To ensure that those in the registry are still in existence and continue to comply with the requirements of the Constitution, the laws, the rules of the Commission, political parties or coalition of political parties must submit an SIUS with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission not later than August 31,” the Comelec said.
However, the Comelec said political parties will be given the opportunity to show cause why its registration should not be forfeited in the cancellation proceedings to be set immediately by the Commission En Banc.
The SIUS must state, among others, the full name of the political party, organization, or coalition of political parties with acronyms; principal headquarters and postal office address, including its branches and divisions, if any.
It must also state the date of registration; constituency; list of current officers, respective positions, and sex; list of elected members in the immediately preceding national and local elections, respective elective positions, and sex, and list of members, including guest candidates, nominated for any elective positions, respective nominated elective positions, and sex.”‹
