WHILE they are allowed to engage in partisan political and campaigning activities, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday reminded barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials that they must not use state resources to do so.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said these officials are not allowed to use barangay resources in promoting specific candidates in the May 12 polls.
“Do not use the resources and facilities of the barangay in promoting and campaigning for your candidates. You can support your candidates but don’t use public funds,” said Garcia.
“That can be considered as abuse of state resources, which is a violation of the election laws,” he added.
Garcia issued the reminder days after the poll body said all elected barangay and SK officials may engage in partisan political activities in relation to the midterm elections.
The prohibition on campaigning for specific bets is limited to civil service officers and employees but does not include elected officials.
Garcia said government resources may be used by the candidates and political parties as long as it will not be limited to the candidates being supported by the barangay and SK officials only.
“Let us be fair. If you let the plazas and courts be used by the candidates you support, make sure they can also be used by those you don’t support,” he said.
“Let us issue permits to those requesting. That’s equal opportunity for all,” added Garcia.
The local campaign period is set to run from March 28 to May 10, 2025.
‘NO POLL FRAUD
Reacting to the latest statement of Vice President Sara Duterte, the Comelec assured the public that no “dagdag-bawas” (vote padding, vote shaving) will attend the May 12 polls.
In an interview on the sidelines of the signing of an escrow agreement between the Comelec and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Garcia said no electoral fraud can be committed with the automated election system (AES) to be used anew.
“We guarantee to everyone, and the general public, dagdag-bawas will be impossible in an automated election system,” said Garcia.
“For those with doubts, we are telling you, with all due respect, there is no basis to think there will be dagdag-bawas,” he added.
Garcia noted this has been the guarantee since the 2010 polls, when the country first adopted the automated election system (AES).
“Since the 2010 elections, dagdag-bawas has never been found and proven even in just one polling precinct,” said Garcia.
The current AES, according to the poll chief, has several security and transparency features, such as transmission to multiple servers, visible ballot images, and random manual audits.
“There are several ways to verify and countercheck the results in every precinct,” said Garcia.
The Comelec issued the assurance in response to the latest statement of the VP that her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, has expressed concerns over the possibility of “dagdag-bawas” attending the forthcoming polls.
Speaking to Duterte’s supporters in the Netherlands, the Vice President said the former president has expressed fears of possible election fraud, particularly “dagdag-bawas,” in the coming elections.
SOURCE CODE
The May 2025 polls will mark the first time the Comelec will use the Automated Counting Machines (ACMs), Consolidation and Canvassing System (CCS), and Election Management System (EMS) of the South Korean firm Miru Systems.
It will also be the first time that the Secure Electronic Transmission System (SETS) of the iOne Resources Inc., and the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) of the Sequent Tech Inc. will be used by the Comelec.
Yesterday (Monday), the Comelec deposited in escrow to the BSP the Final Trusted Build Source Codes of the entire AES of the May 12 elections.
“The source codes, which are stored in digital media storage devices after having undergone the full Final Trusted Build International Certification and Local Source Code Review, ensure election accuracy, credibility, transparency, and auditability in all of the electronic processes,” said the Comelec.
With the deposit of the 2025 Final Trusted Build Source Codes, they will join in the BSP vault those used in the 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022 elections.
INTERNET VOTING
Five thousand Filipinos abroad have successfully enrolled in the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS), which will be used in the overseas voting for the May 2025 polls.
Garcia said 5,000 have enrolled since the period opened over the weekend.
“Currently, some 5,000 Filipinos abroad have enrolled through our link for overseas internet voting,” said Garcia.
He said they expect more to enroll in the coming weeks as the overseas voting period, which runs from April 13 to May 12, draws closer.
“There will be more enrolling in the coming weeks. It’s good that the enrollment has been quick and easy,” said Garcia.
For those who have already enrolled, the poll chief said they have the opportunity to get familiarized with how to use the OVCS.
“At least, come the voting period, the internet voting system will no longer be foreign to them,” said Garcia.
On March 20, the Comelec opened the enrollment period for the OVCS, and will run until May 7, 2025.
Enrolment may be done via the link https://ov.comelec.gov.ph/enroll, according to the Commission.
“Beware of fraudulent links! Only use the official website to enroll,” said the Comelec.
