THE midterm national and local elections will be held on May 12, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday as it belied social media posts that it has been moved to another date.
In its official social media page, the poll body said there is no truth that Election Day has been moved to May 10 supposedly due to the projected “intense heat” on May 12.
The Comelec was referring to social media posts bearing its logo claiming that “due to intense heat reported by pag-asa on May 12, election will be moved on May 10.”
The poll body said “the graphics circulating regarding the move of the Election Day to May 10 is fake news. It didn’t come from the Comelec and is not posted in our official and verified social media channels.”
It added that “the National and Local Elections remains to be on May 12, 2025.”
In an interview, Comelec chairman George Garcia said the date of the elections cannot be easily changed.
“Nothing can stop the elections on May 12 as it is provided for by the Constitution. The elections on all polling precincts in the Philippines will take place on May 12,” he said.
The poll chief said they expect similar claims to come out in the days leading to May 12.
“The purpose is to cause confusion among the voters,” he said as he warned that “spreading false and alarming information is considered as an election offense under the Omnibus Election Code.”
Garcia said they have officially requested the Office of the President to declare May 12 as a non-working holiday “to give all voters the chance to cast their votes.”
He said such a request is not unusual as Election Day is normally declared as a non-working day by Malacañang.
The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) has activated it “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos” to accommodate the expected surge in passenger volume over the long weekend.
It said it is expecting at least 1.2 million passengers to return to the provinces between May 5 and May 13 to cast their votes during the May 12 polls and reconnect with family members during the May 11 Mother’s Day celebration.
“As one of the country’s main land transport hubs, PITX plays a vital role in supporting both voter mobility and holiday travel. To ensure safety and efficiency, PITX is working in close coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Philippine National Police (PNP),” it said in a statement.
It said security has also increased across the terminal, with round-the-clock deployment of law enforcement personnel, K9 units, and roving guards to safeguard passengers.
“Assistance desks will be available throughout the terminal to guide passengers. PITX has a real-time monitoring of arrivals and departures to manage congestion and ensure smooth dispatching of buses and other public utility vehicles,” it also said.
It added that “ground crew and customer service teams will be on hand to assist passengers and maintain orderly foot traffic in high-density areas.”
PITX reminded passengers to allot extra travel time, remain alert, and stay updated through its official social media channels for real-time advisories and announcements.
“This weekend is a convergence of two important events — our national elections and the celebration of Mothers Day. PITX stands ready to support both by making sure passengers can travel home safely and comfortably” said Jason Salvador, PITX corporate affairs and government relations director.
Salvador said PITX remains focused on delivering a safe, clean, and commuter-friendly environment for all.
“The terminal continues to offer essential amenities such as accessible restrooms, comfortable waiting areas, and dedicated gates for provincial and city-bound buses,” he said.
INTERNET-READY
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has issued Memorandum Order No. 003-04-2025 directing all public telecommunications entities (PTEs) and internet service providers (ISPs) to suspend all major network repairs and maintenance works from May 5 to 14.
It likewise directed the PTEs and ISPs to complete all network installation, repairs, and maintenance works on or before May 3.
The Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) made the announcement in a statement yesterday, saying this would ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the May 12 polls.
The DICT said emergency repairs will be allowed under strict protocols, while all providers should remain on full operational alert.
It added all network maintenance personnel are required to carry valid company IDs, wear official uniforms, and operate clearly marked service vehicles to ensure accountability in every operation.
The DICT said NTC is working in close coordination with the Comelec, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to “monitor, protect, and respond to any threats or disruptions to critical communication infrastructure.”
It said that regional election monitoring teams have also been fully activated across all 16 NTC regional offices to serve as “frontline guardians of connectivity” and make sure that every province, city, and town remains online and election-ready.
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the protective measures would ensure that “from election workers transmitting precinct-level reports, to first-time voters sharing their experience online, to families tracking real-time results, no message is lost, no voice goes unheard, and every vote is counted.”
NO POSTERS ON POWER POSTS
Meanwhile, the Department of Energy (DOE) yesterday ordered power industry stakeholders across the country to remove all obstructions from power infrastructures.
In a briefing, Energy undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella, who also chairs the Task Force on Energy Resiliency, directed the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), National Electrification Administration (NEA), electric cooperatives (ECs) and private distribution utilities (DUs) to comply with its order.
The obstructions include illegally posted campaign materials and other unauthorized installations that pose risks to public safety and power reliability.
The DOE said the move is anchored on the full enforcement of the Anti-Obstruction of Power Lines Act which mandates the protection of power lines and related facilities from structures, vegetation, and other obstructions.
It said the move is also being done in coordination with the Comelec in relation to its campaign to remove illegally posted campaign materials in power poles and electrical wires.
The DOE warned that campaign materials placed near or within power lines could cause accidents, including electrocution and fires, endangering both utility workers and the public.
The DOE called on the NGCP, NEA, ECs, and DUs to coordinate closely with local government units and the Comelec’s Special Task Force “Baklas” to facilitate the swift and safe removal of such materials.
Meanwhile, the DOE also said the Energy Task Force Election (ETFE) which it leads, affirms full readiness to ensure a stable and reliable power supply and adequate fuel availability during the elections.
The ETFE also committed to support the safe, orderly, and uninterrupted conduct of the elections by safeguarding the integrity of energy services throughout the voting, transmission, and canvassing periods.
“We have taken all necessary steps to support the smooth and credible conduct of the 2025 elections. The DOE, through the ETFE, stands ready to respond and coordinate with our partners to maintain uninterrupted energy access across the country,” Fuentebella said.
DOE said ETFE member agencies have been holding regular coordination meetings with key industry players, including the Philippine Independent Power Producers Association, National Power Corp., NGCP, Independent Energy Market Operator of the Philippines, National Electrification Administration, National Transmission Corp., Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp., generation companies, DUs, ECs, the Philippine National Oil Co. and downstream oil industry stakeholders.
Fuentebella said that during these meetings, the ETFE assesses system readiness and implements necessary contingency measures to address potential challenges within the entire energy supply chain.
He said public and private energy providers conducted rigorous inspection and maintenance of critical infrastructure, including pre-election checks of polling and canvassing centers, particularly critical areas identified by the Comelec.
In off-grid and remote areas, the DOE said distribution utilities under the Small Power Utilities Group carried out line maintenance activities to ensure continuous power supply, while the NGCP led inspections and right-of-way clearing along high-voltage transmission corridors to prevent potential outages.
Additionally, Fuentebella said the ETFE assessed the readiness of Uninterruptible Power Supply systems in Comelec facilities to guarantee the continuity of critical data operations, even in the event of localized power disruptions.
He also assured the public that ETFE representatives remain on standby for rapid deployment during emergencies, supported by comprehensive preparedness and contingency plans before, during, and after the election period.
DOE said the ETFE is also supported by the National Security Council, AFP, PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine Coast Guard. – With Ruelle Albert Castro, Irma Isip and Jed Macapagal
