Number almost doubled from 2007 participants

MANILA, Philippines - More than 100 organizations have been accredited for the 2010 party-list election, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced Friday through Resolution 8744.

The 144 groups approved by the poll body represent about half of the 306 that filed their manifestations of intent to participate in the elections. This year's expected participant-groups are almost double the 93 that joined in 2007.

Given their number, the party-list contenders will occupy half of a ballot's side. The new ballots--as long as 2 short bond papers attached end to end--is estimated to accommodate 300 names on one side, and another 300 on the other side.

Thirty-two of the groups accredited for the 2010 exercise are currently occupying seats in the House. (Click here for a complete list of accredited groups.)

One incumbent party-list group, the Alyansa ng Bayanihan ng Magsasaka, Manggagawang Bukid at Mangigisda-Adhikain at Kilusan ng Ordinaryong Tao (ABA-AKO), will not join the elections.

The list of 144 includes gay group Ang Ladlad, whose appliction for accreditation has been denied by the Comelec, and has a pending appeal with the Supreme Court. The tribunal ordered the Comelec to include Ang Ladlad anyway in case the court decides in favor of the group later.

The poll body has to start printing the ballots on January 25.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez earlier said they will respect the Supreme Court order, and will just not count the votes that Ang Ladlad will receive in the event that the court decides not to accredit it. (Newsbreak)