CA confirms Comelec commissioners despite questions on overvotes, internet voting | ABS-CBN
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CA confirms Comelec commissioners despite questions on overvotes, internet voting
MANILA — The Commission on Appointments (CA) has confirmed the ad interim appointments of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioners Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal and Noli Pipo in a plenary session on Tuesday.
MANILA — The Commission on Appointments (CA) has confirmed the ad interim appointments of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioners Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal and Noli Pipo in a plenary session on Tuesday.
Prior to the confirmation, Tangaro-Casingal and Pipo faced the CA Committee on Constitutional Commissions and Offices.
Prior to the confirmation, Tangaro-Casingal and Pipo faced the CA Committee on Constitutional Commissions and Offices.
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel questioned the way Comelec determined the number of those who overvoted during the 2025 midterm elections.
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel questioned the way Comelec determined the number of those who overvoted during the 2025 midterm elections.
There are more than 17 million overvotes which Comelec divided by 12 to get the number who overvoted, according to Tangaro-Casingal.
There are more than 17 million overvotes which Comelec divided by 12 to get the number who overvoted, according to Tangaro-Casingal.
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Asked why they divided by 12, Tangaro-Casingal said, “that’s the number of seats for senator.”
Asked why they divided by 12, Tangaro-Casingal said, “that’s the number of seats for senator.”
"Why will you divide 17 million by 12 when a ballot which has 12 shaded ovals for senator should not even be labeled as overvote? That’s a legal vote,” Pimentel said.
"Why will you divide 17 million by 12 when a ballot which has 12 shaded ovals for senator should not even be labeled as overvote? That’s a legal vote,” Pimentel said.
In trying to understand Comelec’s formula, Pimentel said, “Bumoto si Bong ng 13, bumoto ako ng 13, bumoto si Risa ng 13, bibilangin nila yung 39 overvotes. Paano kung bumoto si Bong ng 13, bumoto ako ng 14, bumoto si Risa ng 13. Binilang nila yun as 40 overvotes? Ganoon ka-complicated 'yung program nila.”
In trying to understand Comelec’s formula, Pimentel said, “Bumoto si Bong ng 13, bumoto ako ng 13, bumoto si Risa ng 13, bibilangin nila yung 39 overvotes. Paano kung bumoto si Bong ng 13, bumoto ako ng 14, bumoto si Risa ng 13. Binilang nila yun as 40 overvotes? Ganoon ka-complicated 'yung program nila.”
The senator also pointed out that Comelec Chairman George Garcia previously said they will divide by 13, but Tangaro-Casingal said 12.
The senator also pointed out that Comelec Chairman George Garcia previously said they will divide by 13, but Tangaro-Casingal said 12.
Cavite 2nd District Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla raised concerns on the overvotes, especially since the overvotes in the 2022 elections which were more than 10 million, increased in 2025.
Cavite 2nd District Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla raised concerns on the overvotes, especially since the overvotes in the 2022 elections which were more than 10 million, increased in 2025.
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“Tila lumalaki po kasi ang indikasyon ng pagkukulang po ng Comelec, sa inyong hanay. Sana po ay matumbok itong problemang ito dahil I am very much afraid with the upcoming 2028 elections and that will be a presidential election,” Mercado-Revilla said.
“Tila lumalaki po kasi ang indikasyon ng pagkukulang po ng Comelec, sa inyong hanay. Sana po ay matumbok itong problemang ito dahil I am very much afraid with the upcoming 2028 elections and that will be a presidential election,” Mercado-Revilla said.
“I am afraid for Comelec and I am afraid also for the future of the country kasi marami pong mga botante ang sumusuporta at umaasa na 'yung kanilang mga kandidatong binoboto ay mananalo sa mga susunod pang halalan,” she added.
“I am afraid for Comelec and I am afraid also for the future of the country kasi marami pong mga botante ang sumusuporta at umaasa na 'yung kanilang mga kandidatong binoboto ay mananalo sa mga susunod pang halalan,” she added.
INTERNET VOTING
Pimentel also questioned Comelec’s internet voting which only recorded 228,000 voters in the recent May polls, and is much less than the 1.6 million overseas Filipinos who voted last election.
Pimentel also questioned Comelec’s internet voting which only recorded 228,000 voters in the recent May polls, and is much less than the 1.6 million overseas Filipinos who voted last election.
“You disenfranchised 800,000 overseas Filipino voters who voted in the last election. Kasi ang ginawa ninyo, registered na sila tapos mag-i-internet voting kayo na walang legal basis, sa aking palagay, there’s no separate law authorizing it. And then you require a re-registration,” Pimentel stated.
“You disenfranchised 800,000 overseas Filipino voters who voted in the last election. Kasi ang ginawa ninyo, registered na sila tapos mag-i-internet voting kayo na walang legal basis, sa aking palagay, there’s no separate law authorizing it. And then you require a re-registration,” Pimentel stated.
“Ang tao akala niya registered na siya, needs to do something again so that he and she can vote via internet… 228,000 na lang tuloy ang bumoto,” Pimentel said.
“Ang tao akala niya registered na siya, needs to do something again so that he and she can vote via internet… 228,000 na lang tuloy ang bumoto,” Pimentel said.
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Tangaro-Casingal explained that the Omnibus Election Code gives Comelec the ability to use and adopt the latest technological and electronic devices.
Tangaro-Casingal explained that the Omnibus Election Code gives Comelec the ability to use and adopt the latest technological and electronic devices.
She also said the law allows the Comelec to determine the modes of voting.
She also said the law allows the Comelec to determine the modes of voting.
Despite criticisms on the poll body, the CA panel recommended to the plenary the confirmation of the ad interim appointments of Tangaro-Casingal and Pipo, which were confirmed in the plenary.
Despite criticisms on the poll body, the CA panel recommended to the plenary the confirmation of the ad interim appointments of Tangaro-Casingal and Pipo, which were confirmed in the plenary.
AFP SENIOR OFFICERS
Meanwhile, the CA also confirmed the ad interim appointments of 84 senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Meanwhile, the CA also confirmed the ad interim appointments of 84 senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
No opposition was filed against them.
No opposition was filed against them.
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