By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has extended the deadline for submitting petitions against nuisance candidates who filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) during the first eight days of October.
This extension follows a notice released by Comelec on October 11, 2024, in line with Memorandum Circular No. 66 from the Office of the President, which suspended government work and classes for two days.
“Please take notice that the Commission (en banc) approved the extension of the deadline for the filing of Petitions Against Nuisance Candidates from Monday, 14 October 2024 to Wednesday, 16 October 2024, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in view of Comelec Memorandum dated 11 October 2024, in relation to Memorandum Circular No. 66 of the Office of the President on work suspension in the Cities of Manila and Pasay on 14 and 15 October 2024,” Comelec stated.
Originally set for October 14, the deadline has now been moved to Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
Comelec will accept petitions between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the revised date.
Ia/mnm
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following a Supreme Court ruling that unpopularity and non-membership in a political party are insufficient grounds to declare an individual as a nuisance candidate, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Garcia on Thursday advised financially-strapped candidates for the 2025 midterm polls to be creative enough in using social media for their campaign.
Garcia gave the advice as the poll body committed that no one vying for an elective position in the upcoming polls will be disqualified due to financial status.
“Maaaring nu’ng mga sinaunang pangangampanya, talagang kakailanganing puntahan mo ang bawat isla ng ating bansa, ang bawat munisipyo, at ang bawat siyudad. Sa kasalukuyan, dahil sa makabagong teknolohiya puwede na ang pangangampanya ay sa pamamagitan ng social media,” Garcia stated in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.
Earlier, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that being unpopular or not a member of a political party are insufficient grounds to declare an individual as a nuisance candidate.
“Hindi mo naman kailangan ng gano’n kadaming pera upang makapangamapanya sa pamamagitan ng social media, halimbawa. Basta ikaw ay magaling lamang at artistic, and at the same time medyo magaling kang gumawa ng mga ipo-post sa social media, pupuwede ka nang mangampanya,” Garcia quipped.
However, based on Comelec Rules of Procedure Part V, Rule 24, any candidate is identified to have no bona fide intention to run for public office if they put the election process in “mockery or disrepute or to cause confusion among the voters by the similarity of the names of the registered candidates or who by other acts or circumstances.”
The Comelec said it will resolve cases involving nuisance candidates for the 2025 midterm elections by the end of November this year.
Ia/mnm
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Pares vendor and social media personality Deo Balbuena, popularly known as Diwata, has filed a Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) as the fourth nominee of the Vendors Party-list.
Diwata stated that the Vendors Party-list aims to represent vendors nationwide in the House of Representatives, serving as their voice.
The party-list also intends to improve the lives of Filipino vendors through the creation of cooperatives and providing street vendors with designated selling areas.
Diwata, who voluntarily joined the Vendors Party-list after meeting its representatives, will serve as the fourth nominee.
He became well-known for his viral videos and his popular “pares overload,” which gained fame due to the unlimited rice, soup, and soft drinks offered to customers.
Diwata’s content has also been featured by numerous vloggers.
ia/mnm
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has officially delisted and canceled the registration of 42 party-list organizations ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.
In Resolution No. 11071, promulgated on Tuesday, the Comelec en banc revealed that these groups were disqualified for either failing to participate in the last two elections, securing less than 2 percent of the votes cast for the party-list system, or not obtaining a seat during the second round of allocation in previous elections.
Of the 42 delisted organizations, 31 were disqualified due to insufficient votes or the inability to secure a seat in the last two election cycles. Some notable groups include Anakpawis, Angkla, 1-Care (1st Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy), Act-OFW (Acts Overseas Filipino Workers Coalition), and many others.
Meanwhile, 11 groups were removed from the roster for not participating in the last two elections, including Abyan Ilonggo, Amana, KGB (Katipunan ng mga Guardians Brotherhood), and PDDS (Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan).
Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia stated that 160 party-list groups are set to participate in the upcoming elections. This includes 117 existing party-list groups, 42 newly accredited groups, and one group currently under a temporary restraining order (TRO).
“So far, 160 party-list organizations are expected to participate in the 2025 midterm elections,” Garcia confirmed during an interview.
As of noon on Tuesday, nine party-list groups have already filed their Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CON-CAN) at Tent City, Manila Hotel.
Among those who have filed are Kabayan PL, Ang Bomber ng Pilipinas, Ako OFW, Manila Teacher’s PL, and Bayan Muna.
ia/mnm
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is fully prepared for the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC), with over 100,000 individuals expected to submit their candidacies, according to Comelec spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
During an interview on DWIZ’s Isyu ng Bayan, Laudiangco explained that there are 18,270 available positions in the 2025 midterm elections, and more than 100,000 candidates, including party-lists, are anticipated to file their COCs.
The Comelec is also ready to take legal action against so-called “nuisance candidates.”
“We expect two types of nuisance candidates. The first are those who will file but have no real intention of pursuing their candidacy,” Laudiangco explained.
“The second type involves individuals who aim to cause confusion by filing COCs with names that sound or look very similar to legitimate candidates,” he added.
Laudiangco also mentioned that the commission has made logistical preparations to accommodate the expected volume of COC filings across the country.
“Our smaller offices have already secured larger venues to handle the various COCs that will be submitted nationwide,” he said.
Voter registration ends on September 30, while the COC filing period is scheduled from October 1 to 8.
ia/mnm
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reiterated that voter registration will close on September 30, with no extensions to be granted.
“There will be no extensions for new registrations, reactivations, or changes such as overseas workers returning or registering for the first time abroad. Whether you’re changing your name, making corrections, or transferring your registration, the final deadline is September 30, 2024,” said Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco.
Laudiangco emphasized that the lack of extension is due to the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) filing period for political candidates, which runs from October 1 to 8.
In a related update, Comelec announced that more than three million new voters have registered for the 2025 midterm elections. Including reactivations, voter registration applications total over six million, surpassing Comelec’s initial expectations, according to Laudiangco.
ia/mnm
MANILA – Former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo will be barred from seeking reelection in the 2025 midterm elections unless she secures a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Court of Appeals (CA) to halt the Ombudsman’s dismissal order.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Erwin Garcia stated that the Ombudsman’s decision is immediately executory.
“Even though it’s not final, it’s effective unless stayed by the CA. If she is perpetually disqualified from public office, Comelec will implement this. She can file a certificate of candidacy, but it will be administratively canceled,” Garcia explained during Wednesday’s Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
On August 12, the Ombudsman dismissed Guo for grave misconduct and imposed a lifetime ban from holding public office. This decision stemmed from charges filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) regarding her alleged involvement with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).
Garcia emphasized that Comelec’s separate material misrepresentation complaint against Guo concerns her election credentials.
“The Ombudsman’s case involves her misconduct as a town official, whereas our issue is whether she provided false information in her candidacy. These are distinct matters,” he noted.
Comelec representatives served a subpoena to Guo in Bamban town on Tuesday related to her alleged misrepresentation in the May 2022 elections. Guo has 10 days to file her counter-affidavit, after which the case will proceed to a resolution if she does not respond.
ia/mnm
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia revealed on Thursday (08 Aug 2024) that a “foreign entity” is attempting to interfere in the Philippine elections.
This discovery comes after identifying the firms behind an ongoing “demolition job” against Comelec.
In a press conference, Garcia pointed to a US-based company that allegedly opened a US bank account in his name, accusing him of holding offshore accounts to stash bribe money.
“Who is behind opening the account or making deposits to make it appear as mine? It wasn’t erased [from Marcoleta’s presentation]… Jaleo Consulting LLC sent it. When I saw that, I was shocked because this is direct intervention in the Philippine election by a foreign entity, which is strictly prohibited,” Garcia stated.
Comelec previously banned Smartmatic from participating in all future procurements after it was implicated in a US bribery case involving former Comelec Chairman Andy Bautista.
In a statement, Smartmatic denied any involvement in the “demolition job” against the country’s poll body.
(ia/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia announced on Wednesday (August 7, 2024) that voter registration will end on September 30 with no extensions.
“Sana nga ‘yung 5.2 million magpa-reactivate ng kanilang registration. Sana makahabol hanggang September 30,” Garcia said.
Currently, there are over 65.9 million registered voters. Comelec aims to reach 70 million by the end of September.
“Normal sa mga Pilipino ‘yung ningas kugon, ‘yung ‘bukas na lang, bukas na lang mahaba pa naman.’ Asahan niyo, isang linggo bago ang September 30, ang dami na namang pipila, pupunta sa mga registration sites natin,” he added.
Garcia also warned, “Ito po ang isang babala natin sa lahat, wala po tayong extension, hanggang September 30 lang po ang ating registration.”
To boost registration numbers, Comelec has been visiting various locations and promoting its Register Anywhere Program. The Commission has also partnered with different malls to facilitate the ‘register anywhere’ initiative.
ia/mnm
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Some 93,000 “unserviceable” units of Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) stored in Comelec warehouses may soon find new homes in public school classrooms nationwide.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia announced on Wednesday (07 Aug 2024) that the poll body is considering donating these old VCM units to the Department of Education (DepEd) for alternative uses.
“We’re offering them for free. We’ll donate them to DepEd. We’re calling on Secretary Sonny Angara to consider this, as there may be a way to make some of these units operational again,” Garcia revealed in an interview on dzBB Super Radyo.
He further explained that these VCM units could be used by schools, for instance, to check students’ exam papers to expedite the process.
Despite concerns from Sagip party-list Rep. Dante Marcoleta, Comelec has engaged South Korean firm Miru Systems Co. Ltd. to procure a new automated election system for the 2025 national and local elections.
(ia/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — To prevent members of bogus or already deactivated political parties from continuously soliciting funding support, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Friday (19 July 2024) said political parties and party-list groups that will be delisted for next year’s national and local polls will be made public soon.
“Ilalahad po natin ‘yan para maiwasan ‘yung mga again, nagso-solicit. Hindi naman pala talaga existing na (ang party). Meron din namang existing, nagso-solicit, hindi naman ginagastos ng tama. Minsan may sobra. Ang tanong, nasaan ‘yung sobra? Hindi ba dapat pag may sobra dapat may income tax?” Garcia said.
He disclosed that the disclosure will include the publication of each candidate’s Certificate of Candidacy (COC), Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE), and Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA).
Garcia said the qualifications include checking each party’s history, number of incumbents, and coalesced parties.
He added that details of candidates of parties that will be accredited will also be published on the Comelec website.
Garcia also stated that the Comelec will restrict the qualifications for party-list group nominees.
He said this would be done by publishing the list of nominees per party-list group.
“Pagka po kasi nagsa-submit sila ng mga parties, ng mga nominees, pina-publish po natin yan… upang mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga kababayan natin na mag-kwestyon kung gusto nila, o i-oppose ang isang nominee,” Garcia quipped.
(el Amigo/mnm)
MANILA – Top officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) have firmly denied calls for resignation or leave amid allegations of bribery involving local and foreign bank accounts.
During a press briefing on Wednesday (17 July 2024) at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila, Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, and his fellow commissioners stood united against these accusations.
Garcia dismissed the idea of resignation, stating, “Taking a leave or courtesy resignation of a member of the Commission is impossible. Are they nuts?”
The controversy centers around Comelec’s contract with South Korean firm Miru Systems Inc. for the 2025 polls automation project, a case currently pending before the Supreme Court. Garcia cited the sub judice principle as the reason for their silence on the case’s merits.
Senior Commissioner Socorro Inting urged critics to take their claims to court rather than attacking the Commission publicly. “Do not crucify us in the court of public opinion. Crucify us in the courts of law because we will be ready to face you with our evidence,” she asserted.
On Tuesday, the Comelec employees’ union expressed support for Garcia, calling the allegations a systematic attack on the institution’s credibility. Garcia thanked the members and workers for their backing.
Garcia also mentioned the possibility of falsification charges against those releasing dubious documents, noting that possessing a falsified document presumes authorship. This statement followed former Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice’s submission of documents supposedly linking a Comelec official to foreign bank accounts.
The National Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating these claims.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Nine months before the 2025 midterm polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for voter education.
Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said that under the MOA, voter education would be integrated into the TESDA curriculum.
“Dito po…’yung integration ng voter education sa curriculum na ino-offer ng TESDA,” Garcia said in his speech during the MOA signing.
TESDA Director General Secretary Suharto Mangundadatu led the TESDA delegation.
Garcia, who led the Comelec delegation, said voter education will be promoted through pre-taped seminars, and orientations on the registration process and requirements for voters participating in the national and local elections in 2025.
“Hindi kaya ng Comelec na isagawa ang halalan ng isa lang…The business of election is not only the business of Comelec, but the business of the entire country. There should be a whole of nation approach when it comes to elections,” the poll body chief explained.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will disqualify political candidates who will not follow the rules on environmentally sustainable elections, the poll body’s spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco said Saturday (22 June 2024).
Laudiangco said that the Comelec will soon release a resolution to ensure an environmental-friendly campaign for the 2025 midterm elections.
“Pagdating po ng resolusyon na ito, makakaasa po kayo na magiging mahigpit ang Comelec at kami po ay nakahandang mag-disqualify ng mga kandidato na hindu tutupad sa regulasyon na ito,” he said in an interview with DWIZ.
The commission previously created the Committee on Environmentally Sustainable Elections headed by Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda.
“Ang committee po na ‘yan ang mag-aaral na kung papano po namin i-integrate ‘yung ating mga iba’t ibang batas sa environment katulad ng Clean Air Act, katulad ng Ecological Solid Waste Management Act,” Comelec spokesperson said.
Laudiangco said that all campaign materials should be environmentally friendly, saying that there are already materials that are eco-friendly.
“Isa pa pong tutukan ‘yung ingay, ‘yung noise pollution at ‘yung ginagawa pong air pollution ng nga motorcades na ginagawa,” he added.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — If the House of Representatives approves Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 (RBH7) on economic charter change on Wednesday (20 March 2024), Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe on Monday (18 March 2024) pushed that the lower chamber forward the resolution to the Commission on Elections.
The last session day before Congress goes on a Holy Week break will be on Wednesday (20 March 2024).
“If we have 3/4 vote on RBH7 and everything has been complied with in accordance to the Constitution, then my suggestion is we forward it to the Commission on Elections,” Dalipe quipped in a media interview.
He noted that if the Senate and the House are to vote separately on economic charter change, the three-fourths vote in the House is equivalent to 232.
Dalipe hastened to add that if the two chambers are to vote jointly, the needed number of votes is 250.
“In the law, it is Comelec who will decide if we have complied and there is a sufficient number of votes as stated in the Constitution, that they can ultimately schedule for a plebiscite on RBH7,” Dalipe pointed out.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Malls across the nation will serve as voting precincts in the 2025 mid-term elections following the successful pilot run during the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said Thursday (14 March 2024).
“We will be holding elections in all malls nationwide, especially in Metro Manila,” Garcia announced.
He emphasized, “It’s more comfortable, a bit cooler, with no room for vote buying, violence, dirt, or mess.”
However, Garcia mentioned that voting in schools will continue.
“We have what we call a consultation process. This means that if the majority of residents in that barangay or precinct prefer to vote in the mall, then we will relocate you. We will not force the relocation of the voting venue,” stated the Comelec official.
Meanwhile, Garcia assured that the government would not incur additional expenses by using malls as voting precincts.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Despite the reservations of some lawmakers and election watchdogs, it’s all systems go between the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and South Korean company Miru Systems Company Limited after they signed on Monday (11 March 2024) the P17.99-billion contract for the procurement of a new automated election system (AES) for the 2025 midterm elections.
The signing was led by Comelec Chairman George Garcia, Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay, and Miru president Chung Jin Bok.
It was learned that the deal will cover around 110,000 machines and peripherals including ballot boxes, laptops, and other printing requirements for the 2025 elections.
The contract was sealed more than two weeks after Comelec announced that it awarded the contract to Miru, the lone bidder for the procurement.
Miru was joined by Integrated Computer Systems, St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and Centerpoint Solutions Technologies, Inc. in the joint venture for the Comelec procurement.
It can be recalled that some lawmakers, election watchdogs, and other groups voiced concern and called on the Comelec to stay vigilant and review Miru’s track record.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following a unanimous vote, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has awarded to the joint venture led by Miru Systems of South Korea the P17.9-billion leasing contract for 110,000 automated counting machines (ACMs) that will be used in the upcoming 2025 midterm polls.
On Wednesday (21 February 2024), the Comelec en banc awarded the contract to lone bidder Miru, which, based on the contract, will be tasked to provide 104,345 ballot boxes, 2,200 laptops and printers, the paper for printing 73,881,894 ballots, and a system for ballot verification.
The poll body was impressed after Miru demonstrated its ACM, consolidation, and canvassing system (CCS) and election management system (EMS) before members of the Comelec en banc, citizens’ arms representatives, stakeholders, and other observers.
Maharlika NuMedia learned that a Notice of Award was issued to Miru Systems for the project and the lease of the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count (FASTrAC).
On May 4, 2023, Miru unveiled FASTrAC which is an upgraded optical mark reader (OMR) paper-based automated elections system with Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) capabilities.
FASTrAC features the ACM, which will replace the more than 90,000 outmoded vote-counting machines (VCMs) that Comelec deployed during the 2016, 2019, and 2022 elections.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Saying that democracy is working in the Philippines, the controversial PIRMA on Saturday declared that it will continue to gather signatures for People’s Initiative (PI) petition for “safekeeping” until the Comelec issues a new resolution to revive the process.
This developed as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) included a line in its form for people to include their reasons for withdrawing their signature from the PI petition but said opting not to include a reason will not invalidate the withdrawal.
“With respect sa ating senator kasi tandaan natin [na] hindi Comelec ang nagpa-pirma at kami lang ang tumanggap ng signature sheet. Natural lang satin na magtatanong bakit bumawi. Sa signature sheet ng withdrawal hindi mandatory na ilagay ang dahilan,” Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said in a radio interview.
He said it’s “natural” to ask why a signature is being retracted but the reasons given will not be taken against voters withdrawing their signatures.
To recall, Comelec has suspended all proceedings concerning the People’s Initiative — incorporated in Comelec Resolution 10650 — while they review existing guidelines and amid alleged cases of bribery and coercion.
For his part, Noel Oñate of the PIRMA group, he said any withdrawals will show that democracy works in the Philippines.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Amid the fiery debates over charter change (Cha-Cha) via people’s initiative (PI) that tends to polarize the nation, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday announced that it has suspended “indefinitely” the acceptance of signature sheets by the local Comelec offices pending the review and revision of the said guidelines.
Comelec chairperson George Garcia disclosed in a press conference that the Comelec en banc unanimously voted for the suspension of Comelec Resolution No. 10650 which covers the guidelines for the PI.
“We honestly believe, base sa aming initial assessment, kailangan naming i-review, i-enhance, dagdagan ‘yung aming existing IRR o implementing rules and regulations concerning the people’s initiative dahil sa ating palagay, may mga bagay doon na kulang at wala doon sa ating guidelines,” Garcia declared.
He added: “Kailangan po ito para maiwasan ang problema, kaguluhan, at hindi pagkakaunawaan doon sa interpretasyon ng probisyon ng ating mga rules.”
Maharlika NuMedia learned that as of January 26, 2024, the Comelec has so far received signature forms for the PI from a total of 1,072 municipalities and cities.
Garcia clarified again that the submitted signature sheets were not yet verified by the Comelec as the required number of signatures has not yet been met.
He further said that there is no formal petition yet for the PI.
“Sa aming palagay, sana naman ‘wag kaming obligahin kung gaano kahaba o kaiksi ‘yung panahon na kakailanganin namin para ma-review namin ang rules. Sinabi rin naman ng Korte Suprema sa naging desisyon niya… na dapat ang people’s initiative ay isang kapangyarihan ng mamamayan at dahil dito, dapat siguraduhin natin that the people will able to exercise really this right under the constitution,” Garcia stressed.
Earlier, President Ferdinand ‘“Bongbong” Marcos Jr. when asked for his thoughts on the PI, replied that: “Let Comelec do their job.”
To recall, in December last year, presidential cousin Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said that the House of Representatives was keen on launching a people’s referendum to determine how the House and the Senate should vote on proposals amending the 1987 Constitution.
(el Amigo/MNM)