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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider No signs of foreign intervention in mid-term polls — Comelec

No signs of foreign intervention in mid-term polls — Comelec

Published May 12, 2025 06:37 am

At A Glance

  • The Commission on Elections (Comelec) says there is no sign of foreign intervention in the 2025 mid-term elections so far as millions of Filipinos cast their vote on Monday, May 12.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) says there is no sign of foreign intervention in the 2025 mid-term elections so far as millions of Filipinos cast their vote on Monday, May 12.
Except for massive disinformation and misinformation efforts that taint the integrity of the Philippines' electoral process, Comelec Commission George Garcia said, the poll body has not yet seen irregularity in this year's national and local elections.
"Yung foreign intervention, sa kasalukuyan, wala pa tayo masyadong nakikita, napapatunayan (As of now, we have neither seen nor confirmed yet any foreign intervention in the elections)," Garcia said in an interview with Unang Hirit.
Meanwhile, Garcia said Comelec will ask the Philippine National Police (PNP) if the P440 million worth of cash that was caught from nine foreigners and two Filipinos at the Cebu airport on last Friday has relation to vote-buying or election interference.
"'Yan ba ay may relasyon sa pamimili ng boto? Gagamitin ba yan sa vote buying o ano pa man (Does that have something to do with vote buying? Or is there anything else?)," Garcia said.
Precincts open early
As early as 5 a.m. of Monday, polling precincts were already open for senior citizens, pregnant women and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
In Silang, Cavite, Garcia personally witnessed the conduct of elections.
Among those who lined up for priority voting were farmers who cast their vote early before going to the farms, according to Garcia.
"Napakalaking bentahe nitong 5 to 7 na to sa kanilang pagboto, lalo na yung mga may aasikasuhin sa maghapon (This 5 to 7 am voting really has a great advantage, especially for those who still have errands for the rest of the day)," Garcia said.
"'Yung mga magsasaka, yung mga pupunta po sa kanilang bukid, pati sa mga probinsya, asahan nyo sila yung makikita natin nauna dito (These include farmers who are yet to go to their farms. Expect them to be the first ones here)," he added.
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