Comelec mandates resignations for party-list nominees starting Feb 11, 2025

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has revised its rules to require party-list nominees holding public office to resign upon the start of the campaign period for the May 2025 elections.

Previously, Comelec allowed nominees to retain their positions even after accepting a nomination, but this changed following a petition by election lawyer Romulo Macalintal. However, Comelec Chairman George Garcia clarified that party-list nominees will be deemed resigned only upon the start of the campaign season on February 11, 2025.

The filing period for party-list nominations is set for October 1 to 8, with the new rule mandating resignation from appointive positions starting on February 11, 2025. For other positions like senator or mayor, nominees must immediately resign upon filing their certificate of candidacy.

Comelec Resolution No. 11065 promulgated on Wednesday amends Section 11 of the previous resolution to ensure that party-list nominees holding appointive offices will be considered resigned from their posts at the start of the campaign period.

The campaign period for senatorial and party-list positions begins February 11, 2025, while local elections campaigning starts on March 28, 2025.