Day: May 7, 2025

Bacolod: The Commission on Elections-Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) stated that more than 100,000 registered voters in northern Negros will be able to cast their ballots on May 12, even if Mt. Kanlaon undergoes a significant eruption. According to Philippines News Agency, Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, the Comelec-NIR director, announced that the poll body and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) entered into a memorandum of agreement on May 1. This agreement outlines contingency measures for an Alert Level 4 scenario at the volcano. Castillano assured that alternative polling places would be provided to ensure voters can exercise their right to

Butuan: The Department of Agriculture Caraga (DA-13) has awarded PHP4.3 million in grants to two farmers’ organizations as part of its Enhanced Kadiwa Program. This initiative is aimed at empowering local farmers and fisherfolk organizations by providing financial support to enhance local food supply chains, market access, and community enterprise development. According to Philippines News Agency, the Caraga Cacao Organization (CACAO) Incorporated was the recipient of PHP4 million, while the Maningalao-Lingayao Agriculture Cooperative (MALICO) received PHP300,000. DA-13 Regional Executive Director Arlan Mangelen handed over the checks on Tuesday at the agency’s office in Butuan. CACAO Incorporated plans to use the

Sibalom: Teachers who will serve as members of the Electoral Boards (EB) for the May 12 National and Local Elections vouched for the accuracy of the automated counting machines (ACMs) after the conduct of the final testing and sealing (FTS) on Wednesday. Blasito Guanzon, tapped as EB chair, said in an interview Wednesday that the ACM did not count the excess senatorial candidates. Voters are reminded to choose and shade only 12 names for the senatorial posts. According to Philippines News Agency, Guanzon retrieved his Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) or voter’s receipt after feeding a valid ballot to

Cagayan de Oro: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday finalized preparations for Monday’s elections by completing testing and sealing of Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) across Cagayan de Oro precincts, with officials assuring transparency in the process. First District Election Officer Joel Dexter Nagtalon confirmed all machines would remain secured in polling centers until election day after passing operational checks. According to Philippines News Agency, Nagtalon stated, “We will run initialization reports to make it transparent that the units have no pre-recorded entries,” during a radio interview. He also noted a significant increase in the district’s voter registry, which grew

Cagayan de Oro: Civil society and religious leaders intensified calls Wednesday for voters to report election violations, with watchdogs noting a surge in social media posts about alleged vote-buying but cautioning they lack concrete evidence so far. The National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) said while it’s monitoring numerous online claims about vote-buying in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental, chapter officials stressed the need for formal complaints. According to Philippines News Agency, NAMFREL’s local coordinator Nestor Banauag urged witnesses to come forward. “We need testimonies from those who can attest that they have observed these illegal activities,” Banauag said