THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is looking at holding mock polls for the May 2025 national and local elections in 30 barangays in 15 cities and municipalities in five provinces, Metro Manila, and the Special Geographic Area before the year ends.
In a televised public briefing, Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said that unlike field testing, which is an internal exercise of the Comelec, the mock polls will involve actual members of the Electoral Boards and registered voters.
“We want to see the general conduct of the automated elections in different parts of the country,” said Laudiangco.
In Metro Manila, the mock polls will be held in Barangays San Pedro and Santa Ana in Pateros, Barangays Ususan and Pinagsama in Taguig City, and Barangays Poblacion and Pio del Pilar in Makati City.
It will also be held in Barangays Poblacion and Guinaang in Bontoc, Barangays Poblacion and Angkeling in Sagada of Mountain Province, Barangays Dela Paz and San Juan in Antipolo City, and Barangays Special District and Bagumbong in Jala-Jala of Rizal.
There will also be mock polls held in Barangays Taboc and San Gabriel in Borongan City, and Barangays Poblacion 9 and Maslog in Lawaan of Eastern Samar.
The Comelec said Barangays Washington and San Isidro in Surigao, and Barangays Central and Anislagan in Placer of Surigao del Norte will also host the mock elections.
In the Bangsamoro, there will also be mock polls in Barangays Walled City and Bus-Bus in Jolo, and Barangays Taglibi and Anuling in Patikul of Sulu; in Barangays Batulawan and Fort Pikit in Malidegao, and Barangays Pedtad and Tamped in Old Kaabakan of the Special Geographic Area.
It was back in November 16 when the Comelec held the field tests of the automated election system in different parts of the country.
Meanwhile, six months before the May 2025 polls, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) National Communications director Ana Singson said they are looking to enlist to have at least 450,000 volunteers to be deployed in the different polling precincts and canvassing centers nationwide.
In a phone interview, Singson said: “We had 450,000 card-bearing members in 2022. We will start our mobilization soon and hope to achieve that… and more.”
In a statement, the PPCRV said it is particularly looking at tapping members of the youth sector to participate in the coming elections in a “non-partisan” way.
This, it said, is because their involvement will help ensure that the democratic process shall remain vibrant and meaningful “for generations to come.”
“We especially call upon the youth, not just as the future of our democracy but as an essential part of its present. You, young people, have a critical role to play, not only for tomorrow but today,” said PPCRV.
In preparation for the forthcoming elections, the PPCRV held its general assembly which was attended by the 159 coordinators from all the archdioceses and dioceses nationwide.
During the assembly, the members of the Church-based organization renewed their commitment to their guiding principle of clean, honest, accurate, meaningful, and peaceful (CH.A.M.P.) elections.
“This principle is more than a slogan. It is a profound reflection of Christ’s victory and saving power. It calls each of us to embody hope, courage, and integrity as we confront the challenges ahead,” said PPCRV chairperson Evelyn Singson.
This was echoed by PPCRV National Spiritual Adviser Archbishop Rex Alarcon, who said they must always serve as the informed conscience of the nation.
“With faith as our foundation and love for country as our guide, we are reminded that each effort, no matter how small, contributes to building a nation of integrity, justice, and hope,” said Alarcon.
The PPCRV has been accredited regularly as a citizens arm of the Comelec during electoral exercises.
