MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has updated its regulations concerning party-list nominees holding public office in preparation for the upcoming elections.
In Resolution No. 11065, the Comelec en banc has mandated that individuals in appointive roles who are nominated by a party-list group for the May 2025 elections must resign from their positions at the start of the campaign period.
According to the resolution, “Nominees holding appointive offices, including members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and employees of government-owned or controlled corporations, shall be considered resigned from their office.”
This decision marks a departure from previous guidelines that allowed nominees to retain their government roles even after accepting their party-list nominations.
The change was prompted by a petition from election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, who contested Comelec Resolution No. 11045 in the Supreme Court. Macalintal argued that the 1987 Constitution prohibits civil service employees from participating in electioneering or engaging in partisan political activities.
The filing period for the Certificate of Nomination and Certificate of Acceptance of Nomination (CON-CAN) by party-list groups is scheduled from October 1 to 8, while the campaign for national positions, including senators and party-list groups, will commence on February 11, 2025.
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