2025 Elections

12:17 am PST January 30, 2025

Marcos pushes delay of BARMM elections

By Kristina Maralit , Bernadette E. Tamayo , Reina C. Tolentino and William B. Depasupil

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has certified as urgent a measure seeking to postpone the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Malacañang confirmed on Wednesday.

"This is confirmed," acting Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cesar Chavez said in a text message to reporters following Senate President Francis Escudero's earlier pronouncement.

Both chambers of Congress recently approved their respective versions of the postponement proposal.

The House of Representatives approved House Bill (HB) 11144, which would move the first regular election in BARMM to the second Monday of May 2026 and every three years thereafter.

Meanwhile, the Senate has approved on second reading a bill that would reschedule the BARMM parliamentary elections from this May to October.

Chavez noted that the chief executive wants the Senate's version of the bill expedited.

Sen. JV Ejercito said he was certain the bill postponing the BARMM elections would be approved on third and final reading by Monday, Feb. 3.

The senator made the assurance as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. certified as urgent the passage of the measure postponing the BARRM polls.

"[We] already finished it last night on second reading, and it will be ready for third reading by Monday," Ejercito said in a text message.

"The certification is not anymore needed, but it's a message from the Palace of how important the measure is," he said.

A copy of the president's letter was already transmitted to Speaker Martin Romualdez and Secretary Mark Leandro Mendoza, presidential adviser on legislative affairs and head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, Chavez added.

In November 2024, Marcos said they were keenly studying the postponement due to the "unintended consequence" brought by the Supreme Court's decision to exclude Sulu from the BARMM.

On its Sept. 9, 2024 ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) but excluded Sulu from BARMM. It declared the ruling in finality and effective immediately.

"There are seven districts within the BARMM that are in Sulu. Now, they don't have a congressman. They don't have a province. There are also eight without a municipality without a district and without a province. They were all part of BARMM," the president previously noted.

"So the transition authority must work to have a new system, new administrative code, new local government code, and a new electoral code. That's what they need to work on," he added.

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong expressed his gratitude to the president for certifying as urgent the bill seeking to reset the first parliamentary elections in the BARMM.

"This certification underscores the national government's commitment to ensuring that the Bangsamoro electoral process is not only democratic but also conducted under conditions that promote stability, inclusivity, and genuine representation," he said in a statement.

"The road to lasting peace and self-governance is not without its challenges, but with this crucial step, we affirm our collective dedication to a peaceful, credible, and successful transition toward a fully functioning parliamentary government in BARMM," he said.

Last Dec. 17, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading House Bill 11144, under which the first regular election for the Bangsamoro government would be held on May 11, 2026.

While the House bill would reset the elections if passed into law, it would not extend the term of the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) which acts as a parliament.

"Upon the effectivity of this Act, the term of the present duly constituted Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao shall be deemed expired," the House bill reads.

The House bill gives the president the authority to appoint the 80 new interim members of the BTA "who shall serve until their successors shall have been elected and qualified in an automated election."

Also on Wednesday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it has held the printing of ballots for BARMM elections.

"Because of these recent developments, we did not yet proceed with the printing of the BARMM parliamentary ballots," said Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia.

"The reason is we may end up opening the filing of candidacy anew for the region in the event of redistricting as a result of the reapportionment of the slots originally assigned in Sulu," he added.

Garcia said the printing of ballots for the national and local elections (NLE) is not affected and would proceed as scheduled.

12:06 am PST January 27, 2025

Party-list, riders group team up for grassroots empowerment

By Kristina Maralit , Bernadette E. Tamayo , Reina C. Tolentino and William B. Depasupil

THE Angkasangga Party-list has joined forces with the Kababayan Riders Association for a New Cultural Harmony and Order Inc. (Karancho) to promote grassroots empowerment.

The show of unity took place during Karancho's 29th national convention on Jan. 25 in Davao City.

During the convention, Karancho's National President Leo Magno, Vice President Jimmy Batoon and Secretary General Josue de Villa Go set the tone with a call to action on cultural harmony, community welfare and public safety.

The spotlight was shared with Angkas CEO and Angkasangga's first nominee, George Royeca, who attended the event alongside Senate President Francis Escudero.

In his address, Royeca rallied support for Angkasangga's mission, describing it as a lifeline for the country's informal workers.

"This isn't just a platform; it's a promise to uplift tricycle drivers, vendors, and freelance laborers," he said.

Angkasangga is advocating for paid sick leave, government-mandated benefits and accident insurance for marginalized workers.

The convention highlighted the organizations' efforts to foster solidarity, advocate road safety and improve disaster preparedness.

Escudero praised the synergy between Karancho's grassroots network and Angkasangga's legislative ambitions.

"Together, they bring the voices of the people to the forefront of national change," Escudero said.

12:05 am PST January 27, 2025

La Piñas candidate dares rivals to a debate

By Kristina Maralit , Bernadette E. Tamayo , Reina C. Tolentino and William B. Depasupil

COUNCILOR Mark Anthony Santos on Sunday called on his three rivals for the lone congressional seat of Las Piñas to join him in a public debate ahead of the May 2025 midterm polls.

Santos said that he issued the invitation to emphasize the importance of debates in fostering an informed electorate.

Santos' challenge came as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) was considering issuing a resolution to mandate candidates' participation in debates. Also, he urged the Comelec to extend the debate requirements beyond presidential and senatorial candidates to include congressional aspirants.

"Attending or watching a candidate debate, whether for congressman or city mayor, is one of the best ways for voters to prepare for casting their ballots," Santos said.

He argued that debates provide a platform for candidates to present their stances on key issues, including political dynasties, flooding, traffic, and informal settlement challenges.

Santos will face three challengers for the congressional seat: high school instructor John Barry Tayam, lawyer Luisito Redoble, and seasoned politician Sen. Cynthia Villar.

Comelec Chairman Erwin Garcia is urged candidates to embrace public debates, highlighting public demand to hear directly from aspirants about their platforms and policies.

"Debates increase voters' awareness and rationality, which is crucial in a country often swayed by personality politics," Garcia said.

Santos said that debates offer voters a chance to assess candidates based on their ideas and stands on critical issues, rather than mere popularity. He noted that debates during past elections, such as the May 2022 polls, significantly improved voter understanding of candidates and their policies.

The Comelec had called on Congress to pass a law requiring candidates to attend debates, with penalties for those who skip. Santos expressed hope that such measures would ensure voters can make more informed decisions, ultimately strengthening the country's democratic process.

12:21 pm PST January 23, 2025

Comelec to print ballots this weekend 'at all cost'

By Kristina Maralit , Bernadette E. Tamayo , Reina C. Tolentino and William B. Depasupil

MANILA, Philippines — Citing lack of material time, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) decided to push through with the printing of ballots on Saturday regardless of the developments in the coming days leading to the scheduled date.

Chairman George Erwin Garcia said he would write Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, informing him about the the Commission's move to proceed with the printing this weekend "at all cost regardless of any developments" with the assurance that the names of nine national and local position aspirants, who are the subjects of temporary restraining orders (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court, would be included in the official ballot.

"The Comelec commitment is first, respect the honorable Supreme Court;second, follow the directive of the honorable Supreme Court and third, allow all TROs be implemented by the Comelec," said Garcia adding that "yan muna ang parameter ng Comelec (that's the parameters of the Comelec for the time being), if there is a number 4 saka na tayo mag-usap (we will talk about it later)."

Garcia stressed that the Commission did not want to defy the High Court, saying that "it is not a good precedent" but added that it may be forced to do so "under the worst scenario."

The Commission, Garcia said, was aware that there were still many pending petitions in the Court, including those of almost 200 party-list groups whose applications for accreditation were denied.

Records show that the Commission en banc defied the High Court-issued TRO, dated Jan. 20, 2022, for the inclusion of the name of Wilson Caritero Amad in the printing of the ballots as candidate for vice president in May 9, 2022 elections.

In its manifestation,the Comelec said that it had already commenced the configuration of the secure digital (SD) cards for use in the vote counting machines and that string Jan, 23, 2022, printing of serialized ballot had started,

As a result, the high tribunal held in contempt the members of the Comelec en banc who did not implment the TRO that directed the inclusion of Amad in the ballot as candidate for vice president.

From Jan.14 to Jan. 21, a total of 9 TROs were issued by the Court.

Of the 9 TROs, two were for the inclusion of the names of senatorial aspirants Subair Guinthum Mustapha and Francis Leo Marcos, while the 7 others were for local positions.

Garcia said the Commission lost a total of three weeks or 21 days in order to comply with the said TROs.

The series of TROs has also prompted the Comelec to deputize the National Printing Office (NPO) or place it under its supervision and control to speed up the printing of ballots.