Resolution No. 7824

WHEREAS, the Commission, in compliance with the mandate of Sec. 26 of Republic Act No. 7166, shall determine, after notice and hearing, the six (6) accredited major political parties entitled to appoint one of the recognized principal watchers in the National and Local Elections for May 14, 2007;

NOW THEREFORE, the Commission by virtue of the power vested in it by the Constitution, Republic Act No. 7166 and other election laws RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES as follows:

Sec. 1. The Commission requires political parties to file a petition for accreditation with the Commission to determine the six (6) major political parties entitled to appoint one (1) of the six (6) principal watchers in the May 14, 2007 National and Local elections within ten (10) days from publication. They shall allege in their petition such facts that will entitle them to accreditation.

Sec. 2. The accreditation of the six (6) major political parties shall be determined by the Commission on the basis of the following criteria:

a) The established record of all the said parties, coalition or groups that now compose them, taking into account, among other things, their showing in past elections;

b) The number of incumbent elective officials belonging to them;

c) Their identifiable political organizations and strengths as evidenced by their organized chapters;

d) The ability to fill a complete slate of candidates from the municipal level to the position of (President);

e) Other analogous circumstances that may determine their relative organizations and strengths.

For purposes of the foregoing, except item d which will be determined after the last day for filing certificates of candidacy for local positions, based on the records of the Commission, the political parties are required to submit their position paper after the hearing within a period of five (5) non-extendible days and shall include pertinent data and statistics to support their arguments in the position paper in accordance with established criteria laid down by the law.

Sec. 3. - A fee of Five Thousand and Fifty (P5,050.00) Pesos for filing and legal research fees shall be paid at the Cash Division of this Commission.

Sec. 4. - The petitions of herein political parties in the following orders shall be heard at the Comelec Session Hall on March 15, 2007 at 9:00 o'clock in the morning:

1. Aksyon Demokratiko (Aksyon)
2. Abag Promdi
3. Partido Para Sa Demokratikong Reporma (PDR)
4. Lapiang Manggagawa (LM)
5. Akbayan! (Citizens Action Party)
6. Anak Pawis (AP)
7. Alliance For Nationalism & Democracy (ANAD)
8. Asenso Pilipino Party
9. Bangon Pilipinas (BP)
10. Bayan Muna
11. Bigkis Pinoy Movement (BIGKIS)
12. Buhay Hayaan Yumabong (BUHAY)
13. Gabaybayan
14. Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (KAMPI)
15. Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino (KDP)
16. Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL)
17. Kilusan Para sa Pambansang Pagpapanibago (BAGO)
18. Laban Para sa Kapayapaan, Katarungan at Kaunlaran (KKK)
19. Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP)
20. United Opposition (UNO)¹
21. Pwersa Ng Masang Pilipino (PMP)
22. Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas Ng Bayan (PDP LABAN)
23. Lakas-CMD Party
24. Liberal Party (LP)
25. People's Reform Party (PRP)
26. Nacionalista Party (NP)
27. National Alliance for Democracy (NAD)
28. Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC)
29. Organized Support For The Movement To Enhance The National Agenda (OSME�'A)
30. Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista Ng Pilipinas (PDSP)
31. Partido Nacionalista Ng Pilipinas (PNP)
32. Philippine Green Republican Party (PGRP)
33. Rizalist Party (RP)
34. Social Justice Society (SJS)
35. Sulong! Barangay Movement

1 United Opposition (UNO) composed of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino and PDP-LABAN, registered on November 27, 2006.

Sec. 5. - The Education and Information Department is hereby directed to cause the publication of this resolution in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

SO ORDERED.