General

Muntinlupa City: The country’s largest penal facility on Monday successfully conducted an election exercise for qualified persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia inspected the conduct of the elections at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, where 2,135 inmates were qualified to vote. According to Philippines News Agency, election observers from the European Union were also allowed to inspect the conduct of the elections inside the NBP. The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) reported that a total of 4,125 PDLs were qualified to vote in various prisons and penal farms across the country, including

Manila: The head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has assured the public that it is safe to cast votes in areas close to active volcanoes. Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol emphasized that while it is generally safe to go out and vote, individuals must avoid permanent danger zones surrounding these volcanoes. According to Philippines News Agency, Bacolcol particularly highlighted the situation near Kanlaon Volcano, which is currently under Alert Level 3, indicating magmatic unrest. He advised communities near Kanlaon to remain outside the 6-kilometer danger zone due to the heightened activity and potential for more hazardous eruptions.

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,

Datu Odin Sinsuat: Voting in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte finally began at 10 a.m. Monday after a five-hour delay caused by United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) supporters blocking the distribution of election materials, officials said. According to Philippines News Agency, Maguindanao del Norte election supervisor Mohammad Mutia stated that protesters barred military vehicles from leaving the town hall until police replaced teachers as electoral board members. “Election paraphernalia is now en route to precincts,” Mutia told reporters as 800 security personnel maintained order in the Commission on Elections-controlled municipality. The UBJP group had expressed concerns about potential cheating

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Monday that the introduction of new innovations in the May 12 midterm elections significantly benefitted voters. In a press briefing, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia highlighted the reliance on early voting and mall voting features by the electorate during the polls. According to Philippines News Agency, Garcia noted, “Many voters have benefited from innovations implemented in this election such as early voting and mall voting.” The early voting feature particularly assisted vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women, allowing them to cast their votes as early as 5 a.m.