Question & AnswerQ&A (BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 53)
The primary purpose of Batas Pambansa Blg. 53 is to define the rights and privileges of accredited political parties in the Philippines and to provide for other related purposes.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is responsible for adopting the system of accreditation of political parties in accordance with Section 8, Article XII (C) of the Constitution.
For the purpose of accreditation under this law, a political party includes political groups, aggrupations, organizations, or associations of persons pursuing the same political ideals in government.
Duly accredited political parties are entitled to nominate official candidates in the constituencies to which they are accredited. In elections with optional or block-voting systems, only official candidates of duly accredited political parties can be voted as a block or party ticket.
Yes, political groups or parties not otherwise accredited are not deprived of the right to nominate their own official candidates.
Only duly accredited political parties can spend the aggregate amount authorized under Section 52 of the 1978 Election Code for the election of their official candidates. Expenses of non-accredited political parties, though registered, are considered expenses of their individual candidates and are subject to the limitation under Section 51 of the 1978 Election Code.
Yes, accredited political parties are entitled to have representatives in the printing of official ballots and other election forms.
Yes, they are entitled to representation in the verification of official ballots and other election forms as provided by the 1978 Election Code.
Accredited political parties are entitled to share in the "COMELEC Space" and "COMELEC Time" apart from the space and time purchased by their official candidates.
Political parties that are registered but not accredited are entitled to have a common representation during the printing, verification, and other cited stages of the election process.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has the authority to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement this law.
All laws, executive orders, rules, regulations, and parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this act are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
This act took effect immediately upon its approval on December 22, 1979.