PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared May 12 as a special non-working holiday throughout the country to allow the public to participate in the national and local midterm elections.
Malacañang yesterday released a copy of Proclamation No. 878, which Marcos signed on May 6.
“There is a need to declare Monday, 12 May 2025, a special (non-working) holiday to enable the people to properly exercise their right to vote,” the order said.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday formally asked Marcos to declare May 12 as a special holiday to enable voters to exercise their right to suffrage.
Voters are set to pick 12 senators and one party-list in the national polls, and select local officials that include a member of the House of Representatives, governor, vice-governor, board members, mayor, vice mayor, and councilors.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido yesterday said more than 16,000 Army soldiers, militiamen and reservists have been deployed nationwide to perform election-related duties such as ensuring security at polling centers.
“The Philippine Army is steadfastly committed to ensuring free, honest, and orderly elections,” Galido said in a statement, adding that they have “undergone rigorous orientation on their roles during this critical democratic exercise.”
Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said 9,777 soldiers were deployed to secure polling centers throughout the country, while 6,712 other soldiers, militiamen and reservists were also assigned to help the PNP and the Comelec in manning election checkpoints.
“The Philippine Army, as the main force provider to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to support the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec), deployed 16,489 personnel in 661 AFP-PNP-Comelec checkpoints and 63,663 polling precincts across the country as of May 4, 2025,” Dema-ala said.
He also said that 12,377 other Army personnel have been placed under “standby alert for possible augmentation.”
“The deployment of Army personnel is part of the wider inter-agency coordination among the AFP, Comelec, and PNP to preempt and neutralize any threats of violence, intimidation, or electoral sabotage,” he added.
Dema-ala said the deployed soldiers have undergone “extensive briefings” pertaining to its “legal mandate” and specific guidelines outlined in Philippine Army Guidelines in relation to the Omnibus Election Code.
The Army said it will be performing an “indispensable role” in the upcoming elections, in coordination with government agencies, to safeguard “our democratic institutions especially in ‘red areas’ declared by the Comelec.”
‘STAY APOLITICAL’
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil yesterday reiterated his call to policemen to remain apolitical during elections.
“On May 12, Election Day, we must remain apolitical. Let us show the Filipino people that the PNP can be trusted — visible, impartial, and fully committed to ensuring a peaceful election,” Marbil said during a command conference at Camp Crame.
He also urged policemen to “stay focused” on their job and to ensure that they “uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.”
“We must always remember that our responsibility is to serve the people and protect their right to vote freely and fairly,” he said.
Marbil said the PNP has ramped up its security preparations for the elections, saying that they have been on full alert status since May 3 as “we are now entering the most crucial phase of our preparations.”
“By May 8, we will begin the full deployment of our personnel on the ground to secure polling precincts, vital installations, and other areas of concern,” he said.
On May 9, he said regional police commanders will be conducting inspections of their units and will roll out “Kontra Bigay” to prevent vote-buying.
KODIGOS
With just five days remaining before Election Day, Comelec chairman George Garcia yesterday advised voters to start listing down the names of their preferred candidates in the May 12 polls.
“Let’s make our kodigo now. It’s difficult to think of the 12 candidates for senator, one party-list group, as well as local candidates while you’re already voting,” Garcia said.
When casting votes, he urged the public to fully shade the ovals beside the names of their candidates and avoid making other marks in the ballots.
Aside from making their kodigos, Garcia also advised the public to make sure that they know where they are designated to vote ahead of May 12, particularly the voting center and polling precincts.
He said voters do not need to bring their own ballpens as special markers will be available in the polling precincts.
He added that while identification (ID) cards are not required when voting, it would be better for voters to bring one in case they are required to verify their identities.
Garcia said the bringing of mobile cellphones inside polling precincts is not banned, but these cannot be used to photograph the ballots, voting machine screens, and voter receipts.
He also said the wearing of campaign shirts is prohibited inside polling precincts as campaigning is already prohibited on Election Day.
He also discouraged the public from receiving free food on Election Day, especially from candidates and political parties, which he said is considered as vote buying acts.
He likewise encouraged those who have finished voting to leave the voting center after casting their votes so as not to decongest the areas.
“Let us behave inside polling precincts or else get reported by watchers and be included among those to face charges,” he said.
BALLOT DELIVERIES
Garcia said all official ballots to be used in the May 12 polls have been successfully delivered in the provinces.
In an interview at the National Printing Office (NPO) in Quezon City, Garcia said: “In all the other regions, the ballots are already with the city or municipal treasurer’s offices. They have been officially received and reported to our Election Officers.”
He said the deployment of the 7.5 million ballots to be used in the National Capital Region (NCR) started yesterday and is expected to be completed today.
He said the official ballots have been received by the Treasurer’s Offices in Caloocan City, Marikina City, Pasig City, Valenzuela City, Quezon City, Malabon City, Navotas City, and San Juan City.
Up for delivery today are official ballots to be used in Muntinlupa City, Municipality of Pateros, Taguig City, City of Manila, Makati City, Pasay City, Las Piñas City, Mandaluyong City, and Parañaque City.
“The Comelec really makes sure that the official ballots are successfully distributed days before the Election Day so that they can already be secured in their areas,” Garcia said.
The poll chief said the official ballots shall stay in the Treasurer’s Offices until the eve of or on Election Dsy.
“Their distribution to the Electoral Board members will be on Sunday or early Monday so that the teachers can proceed to the polling precincts, where they are assigned to,” Garcia said.
He said the poll body has allowed the early distribution of ballots in far-flung areas.
“In places that are far flung, with rivers needed to be crossed, and several hours of travel necessary, we can allow early delivery, as long as they are accompanied by PNP or AFP personnel,” he said. – With Victor Reyes and Gerard Naval
