Comelec set to prep for 2028 presidential polls in 2026

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is eyeing to start preparations for the 2028 presidential elections in 2026, chairperson George Garcia said Monday.

“2026 will become the research and development year. The preparation for an election should be two years. It should not be one year,” Garcia told reporters in an ambush interview.  

“We will insist not only on our budget but also, with due respect, sa ating (with our) Executive (Branch) and Congress,” he added.

Garcia added 2026 would be for the drafting of the terms of reference and contract for the suppliers of the 2028 elections.

“That’s probably everything before the procurement. Pagdating ng procurement, maayso na maayos na. So, by early part of 2027, may early delivery of the machines, siguro yung first 100,” Garcia said.

(That’s probably everything before the procurement to ensure everything is in order. So, by early part of 2027, there will be early delivery of the machines, probably the first 100.)

He added that this will give Comelec the time to test the machines and make some needed adjustments.

Comelec is also looking into the recommendations of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), which include bringing back the 25% shading threshold and using a stamping pen.

However, Garcia said it cannot be implemented for the 2025 Bangsamoro Parliament elections.

 “I fully agree (with the 25% shading threshold), but no, we cannot for the BARMM elections because the law provides this is a continuation of the national and local elections, so kung ano yung ginawa natin nung nakaraan yun din yug gagawin natin at least as far as the system, hardware, software are concerned,” Garcia said.  

(I fully agree with the 25% shading threshold, but no, we cannot implement it for the BARMM elections because the law provides this is a continuation of the national and local elections, so we still implement what we did last election at least as far as the system, hardware, software are concerned.)

PPCRV earlier recommended bringing back the 25% shading threshold in the next polls, as it received reports of mismatches between the actual votes and the receipts from the automated counting machines (ACM). —RF, GMA Integrated News