Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Wednesday that its local offices in areas affected by the recent 7.8-magnitude earthquake have sustained no major damage. 'After the earthquake, we immediately followed up with the field personnel, especially their condition, and of course our office and equipment. So far, no personnel have been injured... Our offices, there is no damage either, except for the overturning of cabinets. Aside from that, nothing. No documents were lost. Everything is intact,' stated Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia in an interview.
According to Philippines News Agency, Garcia has directed field personnel to assess the conditions of schools designated for the upcoming Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections and the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). Despite the earthquake, Garcia confirmed that there are no plans to change voting locations. However, makeshift voting centers may be established in areas where schools have been impacted to ensure voters are not disenfranchised.
On the matter of the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE), the Comelec chairperson reported that a seven-member panel of the Commission has approved all candidates for the elections scheduled for September. 'Just a while ago, the Comelec en banc officially approved all the candidates who will participate in our Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections, including the nominees of Political Parties. This is important because the approval of the Comelec en banc is a start and a signal to our Information and Technology Department that those names can now be entered into the system to finalize the ballot faces of each municipality, each district,' Garcia explained.
The list includes 13 Regional Parliamentary Political Parties (RPPPs) and 30 nominees from Parliamentary Sectoral Organizations (PSOs), covering various communities and sectors. Additionally, 107 candidates for Parliamentary District Representative have been approved, representing districts across Basilan, Cotabato City, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, the Special Geographic Area, and Tawi-Tawi.
Meanwhile, Garcia announced that the special elections for the Lone District of Dasmari±as, Cavite, are set for August 29, 2026. This follows the expulsion of the district's Rep. Francisco Barzaga Jr. from the House of Representatives due to disorderly conduct, decided by a vote of 265-14 with eight abstentions on June 2. A coordinating meeting involving security forces, city government, and other relevant agencies is scheduled for June 11 to organize the special election.
