MANILA (October 3) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has proclaimed three new party-list groups as winners in the May 2025 midterm polls, following the disqualification of the Duterte Youth Party-list over accreditation issues.
In a ceremony Thursday at the Comelec Session Hall in Intramuros, Manila, the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), chaired by George Garcia, declared Alfred Co delos Santos of Ang Probinsyano, Robert Raymund Estrella of Abono, and Arthur Cua Yap of Murang Kuryente as the newest members of the House of Representatives.
The proclamation effectively reallocates the seats initially obtained by Duterte Youth. On Wednesday, the poll body canceled its registration after finding that the group failed to comply with mandatory publication and hearing requirements, which Garcia described as “jurisdictional in nature.”
Garcia said the decision followed the same legal principle applied in the An Waray vs. Comelec case, where a disqualified group’s votes were not disregarded but instead passed on to the next eligible organizations.
“When we canceled the accreditation of An Waray, we proclaimed the next one below, which was Akbayan. The same principle applies here,” he explained.
Abono garnered 254,474 votes, Ang Probinsyano 250,886, and Murang Kuryente 247,754 — results that placed them next in line for seats in the lower chamber.
The party-list system, designed to give marginalized and underrepresented sectors a voice in Congress, has long been controversial. Questions have been raised over the participation of political dynasties, well-funded groups, and nominees with established political careers — a trend reflected in the latest proclamation, with figures such as former agriculture secretary Arthur Yap among those taking seats.
Still, for Comelec, the process demonstrates consistency in enforcing rules on accreditation and ensuring that all winning seats are filled. “We make sure the system works according to law, regardless of personalities involved,” Garcia said.
The addition of the three party-list lawmakers slightly reshapes the balance of forces in the House, where party-list blocs often play a pivotal role in forming alliances and pushing legislation.
