Comelec resumes ballot printing after delays
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Comelec resumes ballot printing after delays
MANILA (UPDATE) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday resumed its printing of ballots for the midterm elections in May following restraining orders issued by the Supreme Court.
MANILA (UPDATE) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday resumed its printing of ballots for the midterm elections in May following restraining orders issued by the Supreme Court.
The poll body earlier said it will use four printers at the NPO alongside two provided by supplier Miru to print 1.5 million ballots a day and cope with “shortened printing timeline in view of the suspension" caused by Temporary Restraining Orders issued by the SC.
The poll body earlier said it will use four printers at the NPO alongside two provided by supplier Miru to print 1.5 million ballots a day and cope with “shortened printing timeline in view of the suspension" caused by Temporary Restraining Orders issued by the SC.
Comelec chairman George Garcia said it was keeping its target to complete printing by April 14.
Comelec chairman George Garcia said it was keeping its target to complete printing by April 14.
Printing will be divided between the NPO and Miru printers with their respective regional allocation to help catch up with the deadline.
Printing will be divided between the NPO and Miru printers with their respective regional allocation to help catch up with the deadline.
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“Importante masimulan na natin ang pag-imprenta ng balota. Wala na po tayong panahon… Asahan niyo na pagpupuyatan, mag-e-exert ng extra efforts ang National Printing Office, taga-Miru at taga-Comelec para masigurado natin ang balota," Garcia said.
“Importante masimulan na natin ang pag-imprenta ng balota. Wala na po tayong panahon… Asahan niyo na pagpupuyatan, mag-e-exert ng extra efforts ang National Printing Office, taga-Miru at taga-Comelec para masigurado natin ang balota," Garcia said.
"Pinakamabigat talaga hindi yung printing, [kundi] yung susunod na stage, which is the deployment ng lahat ng ating mga election paraphernalia… Kailangan masigurado na ang pinakamaliit na gamit ay makakarating sa pinakamalayong lugar sa ating bansa,” he added.
"Pinakamabigat talaga hindi yung printing, [kundi] yung susunod na stage, which is the deployment ng lahat ng ating mga election paraphernalia… Kailangan masigurado na ang pinakamaliit na gamit ay makakarating sa pinakamalayong lugar sa ating bansa,” he added.
Garcia said the contract of Miru in terms of ballot printing has been partially terminated since some printing will be allocated to NPO.
Garcia said the contract of Miru in terms of ballot printing has been partially terminated since some printing will be allocated to NPO.
After printing, the ballots will then undergo verification or quality assurance check.
After printing, the ballots will then undergo verification or quality assurance check.
Comelec would be deploying 800 officers to oversee the ballot verification, while around 20 personnel from Miru would oversee technical support for its HP printers.
Comelec would be deploying 800 officers to oversee the ballot verification, while around 20 personnel from Miru would oversee technical support for its HP printers.
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Garcia said names of candidates with cases before the Comelec en banc and have not yet been decided with finality such as that of Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro will still be included in the ballot. Names of candidates who will withdraw while printing is underway will remain on the ballot but their votes would be considered stray.
Garcia said names of candidates with cases before the Comelec en banc and have not yet been decided with finality such as that of Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro will still be included in the ballot. Names of candidates who will withdraw while printing is underway will remain on the ballot but their votes would be considered stray.
For the Bangsamoro, the printing of regular ballots will be prioritized over the ballots intended for the parliamentary polls in the event that the Bangsamoro elections are postponed by law.
For the Bangsamoro, the printing of regular ballots will be prioritized over the ballots intended for the parliamentary polls in the event that the Bangsamoro elections are postponed by law.
REGULATING SURVEYS?
Meanwhile, the Comelec will look into the possibility of regulating surveys and review the propriety of their release.
Meanwhile, the Comelec will look into the possibility of regulating surveys and review the propriety of their release.
Garcia said the poll body wants to ensure surveys comply with the previous Supreme Court decision of SWS vs Comelec.
Garcia said the poll body wants to ensure surveys comply with the previous Supreme Court decision of SWS vs Comelec.
“Hindi naman po talaga bawal pero ang tanong nasusunod ba yong mismong nilagay na requirements ng Supreme Court sa naging decision niya? Sa mga nakikita ba nating survey, nilagay ba sino nag-commission, magkano nagbayad, saang lugar kinuha ang mga respondents, paano ang scientific method ginamit? Hindi po kasi nakikita ang mga ganun eh," Garcia said.
“Hindi naman po talaga bawal pero ang tanong nasusunod ba yong mismong nilagay na requirements ng Supreme Court sa naging decision niya? Sa mga nakikita ba nating survey, nilagay ba sino nag-commission, magkano nagbayad, saang lugar kinuha ang mga respondents, paano ang scientific method ginamit? Hindi po kasi nakikita ang mga ganun eh," Garcia said.
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"Sa atin tinitingnan natin should the Comelec insist on regulating more the surveys para hindi naman naiimpluwensiyahan ang ating mga kababayan sa kanilang pagdedesisyon. Ang dami kasi nating kababayan wala pang desisyon ngayon pero pag naglabas ng survey, ang tendency ng Pilipino, kung saan ang medyo nananalo, doon tayo, nawawala tuloy ang right of choice because of surveys,” Garcia added.
"Sa atin tinitingnan natin should the Comelec insist on regulating more the surveys para hindi naman naiimpluwensiyahan ang ating mga kababayan sa kanilang pagdedesisyon. Ang dami kasi nating kababayan wala pang desisyon ngayon pero pag naglabas ng survey, ang tendency ng Pilipino, kung saan ang medyo nananalo, doon tayo, nawawala tuloy ang right of choice because of surveys,” Garcia added.
The Comelec will also make the necessary adjustments after the conduct of the mock elections, including the publication of colored photos of voters in the voters list being posted outside polling precincts to make it easier for voters to locate precincts.
The Comelec will also make the necessary adjustments after the conduct of the mock elections, including the publication of colored photos of voters in the voters list being posted outside polling precincts to make it easier for voters to locate precincts.
For more news and features on Philippine elections, visit the ABS-CBN News' Halalan 2025 page.
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