The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia conducted an early inspection at one of the biggest voting centers in Silang, Cavite, ahead of the early voting hours on Monday, May 12.
RH 15 Jecelle Ricafort reported on early Monday that Garcia made rounds at the
Silang Central Elementary School, the biggest voting center in the area. The latter inspected several precincts, including the priority polling precinct for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and heavily pregnant women.
Minutes before the early voting hours began, Garcia said that all of the volunteers and staff assigned at each precinct from Quezon City to the province of Cavite reported early.
The voting hours for the said group will begin at 5 AM and will last until 7 AM today. According to Garcia, these people prefer to vote earlier than most, who begin by 7 AM.
In the last hour of their preparations, Garcia pointed out that the issue of vote buying and violence is still being reported to them.
“‘Yan pa rin na issue ng vote buying, mayroon pa din konting issue ng violence, pero overall naman, generally speaking sa buong bansa, naging peaceful naman talaga yung ating paghahanda, at least nung isang araw bago mag eleksyon,” he said.
“Kaya lang talagang, mayroon ibang lugar, [for example] dyan nga as Quezon City, blockbuster yung pamimili ng boto. Mayroong mga nakapila ng mahaba, mayroon nang namatay sa may bandang Zamboangga City, at sa madami pang lugar sa bansa,” he added.
With this, Garcia said that the agency is monitoring and investigating several areas across the country. Although some personalities may feel like they have gotten away with the crimes, Garcia emphasized that they would continue their investigation after the elections.
“Maaaring sila ay makaligtas kaagad sa kaso bago mag eleksyon, pero hahabulin namin sila after the election and then, therefore, kahit na sila ay nanalo na, kahit pa nga natalo, mayroon na silang kaso na kakaharapin,” he said.
As for the Zamboanga incident, Garcia mentioned that the Comelec immediately issued a show cause order after it occurred. He also pointed out that they will hold those who caused this accountable.
“Hindi naman sapat lang na halimbawa ikaw ay mamimigay or magdidistribute–bawal na nga ‘yon eh. Pero sana naisip manlang nila na dadagsain. Lalo na ng mga kababayan nating mahihirap and therefore, napapainit ng araw,” he said.
“Isipin niyo na lang kung ano mangyayari sa kanila kung wala kayong na-provide na tubig, wala manlang sila pantawid sa uhaw. Ano pa ang mangyayari? Lalo na’t sa nakatatanda at may [mga] kapansanan talaga,” he added.
“Mali na nga, ilegal na nga, ayan pa ang nangyari,” he continued.
WATCH: Maagang nag-inspeksyon si @COMELEC Chairman @ChairGEGarcia sa pinakamalaking voting center sa Silang, Cavite | RH 15 @JecelleRicafort, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/nXshKSbIpS
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) May 11, 2025
For those who plan on going to the precincts early, Garcia advised to prepare ahead of time, especially for those who will be voting from 5 AM to 7 AM. he also reminded candidates to refrain from giving out free food and transportation to voters, as it is prohibited.
