In a television interview, Garcia said they are planning to conduct an early opening of the filing of candidacy to immediately resolve possible disqualification and nuisance cases prior to Election Day.
Garcia reminded that only 24 years old below will be accepted for SK positions and that unregistered voters will not be accepted for regular candidates.
He said they will also conduct a mock automated election in June for the BSKE following concerns aired by Senate electoral reforms and people’s participation chairperson Imee Marcos when Garcia revealed that the pilot testing will be done simultaneously with the BSKE election on October 30.
The Comelec en banc earlier approved the pilot testing of the automated election system (AES) in Barangays Zone II, Poblacion and Paliparan III in Dasmarinas City, Cavite and in Barangay Pasong Tamo in Quezon City.
It said it is in preparation for the 2026 barangay elections.
“Minarapat po natin na subukan yan sapagkat kung saka-sakali po na tayo’y magpapalit ng makina na gagamitin na sa 2025, marapat po na mapag-isipan din na kung maayos yung makina na gagamitin natin, eh di pu-pwedeng mismong gamitin na natin din sa mismong barangay ng 2026 elections naman,” he said.
(We decided to try on it because if ever we change the machines that we will be using for the 2025 elections, we should also ensure that the machines are in good condition, and if yes, then we can also use them for the 2026 barangay elections.)
“Kasi kung magkakaganon, sa ating palagay, mas makakatipid, at the same time mas mapapabilis ang pagbilang ng mga balota sa mga presinto kumpara sa mano-manong pagbilang ng mga balota,” he added.
(Because if that happens, in our opinion, it will save more money, and at the same time it will speed up the counting of ballots in the precincts compared to manual counting of ballots.)
Meanwhile, Garcia said they are finding ways to increase the honorarium for poll workers to P10,000. At present, the honorarium is at P6,000 for election board chairperson, P5,000 for electoral board members and P4,000 for the supporting staff.
“Gagawin po ng Comelec ang lahat upang maging P10,000, P9,000, P8,000 ang kanilang po matatangap sa araw ng halalan dahil nga po ito ay manual na,” he said, noting that only a small amount of the honorarium they received for rendering duty on Election Day are left to them due to tax.
(The Comelec will do everything to make it P10,000, P9,000, and P8,000 because the election will be done manually.) (SunStar Philippines)