Comelec to implement early voting hours for 2025 BSKE
Under Resolution No. 11154, the poll body said that senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) may cast their votes for the BSKE from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. at their designated voting centers.
Regular voting hours will start from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
'In order to accommodate PWDs, senior citizens, and pregnant women, the Commission implements the early voting hours during the 2025 BSKE nationwide for a smoother, safer, and more accessible voting experience to the vulnerable sectors,' the resolution reads.
The Comelec implemented the early voting hour policy during the recent May midterm elections.
Voter registration to proceed in August
Meanwhile, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the 10-day nationwide voter registration slated from August 1 to August 10 will proceed amid the looming decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on a proposed measure seeking to extend the term of office for barangay and SK officials from three to four years, and postpone the elections to the first Monday of November 2026.
The bicameral conference ratified the committee report in July.
'Ang ating impormasyon, maaaring ngayong araw pa lamang maitaas sa ating Pangulo mula sa Kongreso ang draft ng mismong panukalang batas na nage-extend o nagpi-fix ng termino ng barangay at SK. May posibilidad na ito ay mapirmahan this week,' said Garcia.
(We were informed the Office of President may receive a copy of the bill today. It might be signed this week.)
'Just the same, kami ay nag-schedule ng 10 araw na registration ng mga botante. Kung ito ay magiging ganap na batas, 'yung pagpostpone ng halalan, walang magbabago sa 10 araw namin na registration,' he added.
(Just the same, we set a 10-day voter registration in August. This will not change despite the possible postponement.)
The 2025 BSKE is set on December 1. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
_2025_07_12_19_30_14.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
GMA Network
2 hours ago
- GMA Network
Cybersecurity groups urge Marcos to ensure safeguards in Konektadong Pinoy Act
Cybersecurity stakeholders urged President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to address the cybersecurity risks found in the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which is now awaiting the signature of the country's chief executive to become a law. 'We understand that the Konektadong Pinoy Bill is already awaiting the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,' Women in Security Alliance Philippines (WiSAP), Scam Watch Pilipinas, BPO Security Council, PhilDev S&T Foundation, and the Philippines CIO Association said in a joint statement on Tuesda 'However, we firmly believe that cybersecurity safeguards must still be addressed,' the cybersecurity groups said. ISPs In particular, the groups flagged a provision in the bill which 'allows new internet service providers (ISPs) to operate for up to three years without full compliance with cybersecurity and data privacy regulations.' 'This grace period, written into the law, cannot be undone or corrected by the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). It opens a dangerous window that hackers, scammers, and potentially even state-sponsored actors could exploit — threatening the security of critical infrastructure and sensitive citizen data,' the groups said. With this, the cybersecurity stakeholders called on Marcos to ensure the safeguards are addressed, 'whether through a veto with recommendations, immediate amendments post-enactment, or complementary executive actions.' The groups recommended the following safeguards: Remove the three-year grace period and require that all Data Transmission Industry Participants (DTIPs) and related entities comply with stringent cybersecurity and data protection controls upon engagement, aligned with global standards and practices Mandate a comprehensive risk assessment approach that considers cybersecurity, privacy, technology architecture, geopolitical concerns, and economic viability — especially for providers with foreign ownership or control Explicitly require national security and cybersecurity vetting for all prospectiv infrastructure providers involved in building or operating critical data infrastructure Include clear penalties for negligence leading to breaches of critical infrastructure, subject to investigation by regulatory agencies 'We recognize the value of a well-crafted IRR, but rules and regulations cannot compensate for omissions in the law itself,' the groups said. 'By embedding these essential safeguards into the legislation, it will align the bill with existing Philippine cybersecurity and data privacy laws, ensuring that our nation's digital infrastructure is protected from evolving threats that could compromise our sovereignty and long-term digital future,' they added. Telcos In particular, the groups flagged a provision in the bill that 'allows new internet service providers (ISPs) to operate for up to three years without full compliance with cybersecurity and data privacy regulations.' PCTO called for a review of the ratified version of the measure, citing national security concerns and weakening of regulatory oversight among new entrants in the country's connectivity service sector. PAPTELCO, on the other hand, urged Marcos to veto the bill, also flagging national security issues, as new players would no longer be required to secure a legislative franchise. Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). The cybersecurity groups, meanwhile, said they support the measure's aim of expanding internet access and modernizing the country's digital infrastructure. However, they said that 'we are concerned that certain provisions may unintentionally expose the Philippines to heightened cyber threats — unless stronger safeguards are embedded directly into the law.' 'The bill also appears to ease the entry of entities — including foreign-controlled firms —into building highly sensitive infrastructure such as international cable landing stations and satellite gateways,' the groups said. 'Without a legally mandated national security vetting process, the IRR alone cannot provide the level of scrutiny and accountability required,' they added. Data access Cybersecurity stakeholders, meanwhile, noted that such raises the risk of unauthorized data access or disruptions to national infrastructure. 'Given the strategic nature of these assets, we strongly recommend that the law explicitly mandate both national security and cybersecurity vetting for all prospective infrastructure providers, regardless of origin,' the groups said. 'This would help ensure transparency, protect national interests, and uphold the integrity of our digital infrastructure —without unnecessarily discouraging investment or international cooperation. Yes, the bill seeks to connect more Filipinos — but if cybersecurity is treated as an afterthought, it also opens the door to serious threats,' they said. Technology industry groups —Global AI Council Philippines, the Blockchain Council of the Philippines, the Cybersecurity Council of the Philippines, the Data Center Association of the Philippines, the Fintech Philippines Association, and Go Digital Philippines— threw support for the Konektadong Pinoy Act, saying it can "help close the country's connectivity gap." Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda is also backing the passage into law of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, saying it would increase competition in the country's telecoms space and eventually lower the cost of services for the benefit of the consuming public. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
Comelec: One-year appointment ban on losing candidates in effect
The Commission on Elections reiterated Monday that unsuccessful Eleksyon 2025 could not be appointed to any government positions one year after the polls. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia made the remarks after a losing local candidate posted on social media a photo with government officials, thanking them for the opportunity to serve again. The post has been take down. Sought for comment, an executive assistant of one of the officials seen in the photo told GMA News Online that no appointment has been issued yet because of the ban. "Nakalagay sa ating Saligang Batas saka sa Election Code na bawal ang kahit anong appointment sa pamahalaan isang taon pagkatapos ang elections," Garcia told reporters. (The Constitution and the Election Code prohibits appointment one year after the polls.) "Kung ano ang nature ng appointment, maaaring 'yan ay debatable. Maaaring subject sa interpretation pero kami basta appointment, kino-consider namin na prohibited. Kung paano nila ide-depensa ang sarili nila sila ang bahala diyan. Nasa sa kanila yan," he added. (The nature of the appointment may be debatable or subject to interpretation but for the Comelec, we consider all appointments as prohibited. How they will defend themselves is up to them.) The 1987 Constitution states that 'no candidate who has lost in any election shall, within one year after such election, be appointed to any office in the government or any government-owned or controlled corporations or in any of their subsidiaries'. Violators, including those who issued the appointment, may be subject to criminal, administrative, and civil charges, according to Garcia. 'Inuulit natin, lahat ng natalo sa halalan, 'di pupwedeng maitalaga sa pamahalaan one year after ng elections,' he added. (Again, all losing candidates are not allowed to hold government positions a year after the polls.) —with Joahna Lei Casilao/AOL, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
Comelec to implement early voting hours for 2025 BSKE
The Commission on Elections is set to implement the early voting hours for the vulnerable sector during the 2025 Barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE). Under Resolution No. 11154, the poll body said that senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) may cast their votes for the BSKE from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. at their designated voting centers. Regular voting hours will start from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 'In order to accommodate PWDs, senior citizens, and pregnant women, the Commission implements the early voting hours during the 2025 BSKE nationwide for a smoother, safer, and more accessible voting experience to the vulnerable sectors,' the resolution reads. The Comelec implemented the early voting hour policy during the recent May midterm elections. Voter registration to proceed in August Meanwhile, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the 10-day nationwide voter registration slated from August 1 to August 10 will proceed amid the looming decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on a proposed measure seeking to extend the term of office for barangay and SK officials from three to four years, and postpone the elections to the first Monday of November 2026. The bicameral conference ratified the committee report in July. 'Ang ating impormasyon, maaaring ngayong araw pa lamang maitaas sa ating Pangulo mula sa Kongreso ang draft ng mismong panukalang batas na nage-extend o nagpi-fix ng termino ng barangay at SK. May posibilidad na ito ay mapirmahan this week,' said Garcia. (We were informed the Office of President may receive a copy of the bill today. It might be signed this week.) 'Just the same, kami ay nag-schedule ng 10 araw na registration ng mga botante. Kung ito ay magiging ganap na batas, 'yung pagpostpone ng halalan, walang magbabago sa 10 araw namin na registration,' he added. (Just the same, we set a 10-day voter registration in August. This will not change despite the possible postponement.) The 2025 BSKE is set on December 1. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
