Jonathan Frederic De Santos

In this picture taken on May 4, 2025, overseas Filipino workers cast their votes online at the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong. A new online voting system aimed at boosting participation among the Philippines' millions of overseas workers ahead of the mid-term elections on May 12 has instead been marked by confusion and fears of disenfranchisement. Purple Romero, AFP

Article (news)

In this picture taken on May 4, 2025, overseas Filipino workers cast their votes online at the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong. A new online voting system aimed at boosting participation among the Philippines' millions of overseas workers ahead of the mid-term elections on May 12 has instead been marked by confusion and fears of disenfranchisement. Purple Romero, AFP 

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said preparations for internet voting for overseas Filipinos in the 2028 elections will continue despite a pending petition before the Supreme Court questioning aspects of the system used during the 2025 polls.</p><p>During a stakeholder forum in Manila, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia confirmed receiving last Friday the Supreme Court’s order directing the poll body to comment on a motion seeking to intervene in the pending petition challenging the online overseas voting process.</p><p>Garcia said Comelec is ready to defend its case, adding that it has already been coordinating with the Office of the Solicitor General.</p><div><a class="fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/5/comelec-dfa-asked-to-comment-on-petition-questioning-integrity-of-2025-elections-1655">READ: Comelec, DFA asked to comment on petition questioning integrity of 2025 elections</a></div><p>“Mismong ang batas ay nag-authorize kay Comelec na pumunta sa ibang modes of voting, hindi lamang yung in-person,” he said.</p><p>“At the same time, gusto naman namin ipresenta rin sa Korte Suprema ang naging magandang outcome noong internet voting natin lalong-lalo na yung pinagmamalaki namin na 100 percent na nag-tally yung result ng internet, at yung manually counted na results,” added Garcia.</p><p>He also stressed that the Comelec cannot wait for the issue to be resolved before getting ready for the next elections.</p><p>“As far as we&#x27;re concerned, as of this time, tuloy na tuloy ang internet voting para sa mga kababayan natin,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>ONLINE VOTING IMPROVEMENTS</strong></div><p>The online voting period for the next presidential polls is scheduled to begin on April 9, 2028.</p><p>To encourage wider participation among Filipinos abroad, Comelec said it plans to begin the enrollment process earlier, starting February 9, 2028, instead of March as implemented during the 2025 elections.</p><p>The poll body also wants to make enrollment easier by aceepting more types of identification documents.</p><p>“Ang isa sa mga naging issue, limited lang yung mga tinatanggap ng mga ID o pagkakakilanlan. Gusto namin ngayon, pagka nag-procure tayo dito sa TOR (Terms of Reference) at yung mananalo na bidder, mas malawak ang pwedeng tanggapin na ID,” he said.</p><p>“Kahit na yung ID na hindi pang abroad, kahit yung ID lang na nagpapakita na sila yung mga Filipinos o sila ay nag-i-stay dito, tatanggapin na dapat. Whether passport is expired (or) renewed, o yung seaman’s book… para lahat-lahat ay mapapayagan na makaboto na,” he said.</p><p>The Comelec is also studying the possibility of using instant messaging applications to send one-time PINS (OTPs) for voter verification, instead of relying solely on SMS or email.</p><p>Garcia said they are also addressing complaints that voters could not visibly verify the names of the candidates they voted for.</p><p>“Pag kasi ganun, pwedeng ma-picturan, pwedeng mai-post, o pwedeng maging paraan o dahilan para sa issue ng vote-buying… Maglalagay na lang kami ng isang provision sa ating magiging guidelines na bawal i-post yung mga makukuhanan ng picture ng mga nai-cast na boto. Kasi otherwise, ico-consider natin na election offense,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>ON IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS VS VP SARA</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, Garcia declined to comment on the ongoing impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte, who has previously announced her intention to run for president in 2028.</p><p>Garcia said the Comelec regularly handles petitions for disqualification and cancellation of candidacies, but stressed the importance of resolving such cases before ballots for the 2028 polls are printed.</p><p>“Lagi naman kami tumatanggap ng mga petisyon for disqualification or cancellation ng kandidatura,” he said.</p><p>“Ang dapat masigurado lang ni Comelec, na sana bago man lang mag-imprenta ng mga balota sa darating na eleksyon ng 2028, ay tapos na yung mga kaso ng disqualification or cancellation,” added Garcia.</p>

<p>The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said preparations for internet voting for overseas Filipinos in the 2028 elections will continue despite a pending petition before the Supreme Court questioning aspects of the system used during the 2025 polls.</p>

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said preparations for internet voting for overseas Filipinos in the 2028 elections will continue despite a pending petition before the Supreme Court questioning aspects of the system used during the 2025 polls.

Comelec will prepare for internet voting in 2028 despite questions at SC

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Comelec will prepare for internet voting in 2028 despite questions at SC

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 11, 2026 05:56 PM PHT

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