Day: May 12, 2025

Buluan: Police arrested 60 suspected flying voters and confiscated a grenade, iron rods, and fake registration documents in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur during Monday’s elections, officials said. According to Philippines News Agency, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao police spokesperson, Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, stated that the men were allegedly transported from Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat, and Gen. Santos City. They were intercepted at checkpoints near Buluan Poblacion. Congressional candidate Esmael Mangudadatu claimed that “they were hired to vote and create disturbances using weapons.” The suspects remain detained as authorities continue to investigate potential election fraud. The seizure also included newly

Eastern Visayas: At least 177,926 senior citizens, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and their assistors availed of early voting in Eastern Visayas during the midterm elections on Monday. Commission on Elections assistant regional director Maria Corazon Montallana expressed satisfaction with the turnout, highlighting that this was the first time these groups were allowed to cast their ballots early. According to Philippines News Agency, all precincts began accommodating early voters within 15 minutes of opening, with early voting hours implemented from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. Of the 177,926 individuals who participated, 127,935 were senior citizens, 13,638 were persons with disabilities,

Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has officially unveiled his papal coat of arms and motto, both deeply rooted in his Augustinian background and centered on themes of unity and communion in the Church, Vatican News reported. According to Philippines News Agency, the coat of arms is split diagonally. The upper section, set against a blue background, features a white lily symbolizing purity. The lower half shows a heart pierced by an arrow atop a closed book – a powerful reference to the spiritual journey of Saint Augustine, who once wrote: ‘Vulnerasti cor meum verbo tuo’ (‘You have pierced my heart

Legazpi City: The Department of Education in Bicol (DepEd-5) has taken proactive steps by activating its Regional and Division Election Task Force (ETF) to offer support to teachers and non-teaching staff, particularly those serving as electoral board members in polling centers. According to Philippines News Agency, DepEd Bicol Regional Director Gilbert Sadsad issued a memorandum indicating that all regional and school division offices have set up and activated their respective ETFs. These task forces are intended to function as communication and response hubs for any election-related concerns involving teaching and non-teaching personnel. The task forces will remain operational before, during,

Bicol: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 5 (Bicol) on Monday deployed personnel from its Protective Services Division to monitor the condition of persons with disabilities (PWDs), pregnant women, and senior citizens in various precincts in the region. According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD-5 Director Norman Laurio stated that the monitoring teams were part of the Quick Response Team assigned to priority polling places (PPPs) identified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Their task is to assess the overall voting experience of vulnerable voters, focusing on accessibility, security, and opportunities for improvement in polling place operations. Laurio emphasized