Resolution No. 8752

WHEREAS, Section 34 of Republic Act No. 9369 provides:

"Sec. 34. Sec 26 of Republic Act No. 7166 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Section 26. Official Watchers. - Every registered political party or coalition of political parties, and every candidate shall each be entitled to one watcher in every polling place and canvassing center: Provided, That, candidates for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Sangguniang Panlungsod, or Sangguniang Bayan belonging to the same slate or ticket shall collectively be entitled to one watcher.

"The dominant majority party and dominant minority party, which the Commission shall determine in accordance with law, shall each be entitled to one official watcher who shall be paid a fixed per diem of Four hundred pesos (P400.00).

"There shall also be recognized six principal watchers, representing the six accredited major political parties excluding the dominant majority and minority parties, who shall be designated by the Commission upon nomination of the said parties. These political parties shall be determined by the Commission upon notice and hearing on the basis of the following circumstances:

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

"(b) The number of incumbent elective officials belonging to them ninety (90) days before the date of election;

"(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 the President; and

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

WHEREAS, Section 19 and Section 21 of Republic Act No. 9369 require that copies of the election returns and certificate of canvass be given to the (a) dominant majority party; (b) the dominant minority party; (c) ten (10) major national parties; and (d) two (2) major local parties.

WHEREAS, for this purpose, the Commission on Elections has to determine, after notice and hearing, the dominant majority party, the dominant minority party, the ten (10) major national parties and the two (2) major local parties in connection with the May 10, 2010 Automated National and Local Elections.

NOW THEREFORE, the Commission on Elections by virtue of the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, Republic Act No. 9369 and other election laws, RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES to promulgate the following rules for the filing of a petition for accreditation of the dominant majority party, dominant minority party, ten (10) major national parties, and two (2) major local parties:

Section 1. Who may file. - Political parties duly registered with the Commission may file a verified petition for accreditation for determination of dominant majority party, the dominant minority party, the ten (10) major national parties, and the two (2) major local parties.

The Clerk of the Commission shall receive the petition and docket the same as SPP (DM).

Section 2. When to file. - The petition shall be filed not later than February 12, 2010. Petitioner shall allege in its petition such facts that will entitle it to accreditation.

Section 3. Criteria for determining the dominant majority party, dominant minority party, ten (10) major national parties and two (2) major local parties. - The dominant majority party, the dominant minority party, the ten (10) major national parties and the two (2) major local parties shall be determined on the basis of the following criteria:

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

"(b) The number of incumbent elective officials belonging to them ninety (90) days before the date of election;

"(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 the President; and

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

For purposes of the foregoing, petitioner shall include in its petition, pertinent data and statistics to support its arguments in accordance with the above criteria.

Section 4. Filing fee. - A fee of Five Thousand and Fifty (P5,050.00) Pesos for filing and legal research fee shall be paid at the Cash Division of this Commission.

Section 5. Effectivity. - This Resolution shall take effect on the seventh (7^th) day after its publication in two (2) daily newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Section 6. Publication and dissemination. - The Education and Information Department of the Commission shall cause the publication of this Resolution in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines, and disseminate this Resolution for the information of the public.

SO ORDERED.