Three months to the scheduled national and local elections in May 2025, mock elections were undertaken in select places in the country, such as in the Province of Eastern Samar.

The mock elections in Eastern Samar were carried out in two locations in Borongan City on January 25, 2025.

One of the chosen sites is Barangay Taboc where at least 99 ballots were tested.

“Siguro may dirt kaunti yung ano, kaya hindi pumasok yung balota pero pag-ano namin, okay naman pumasok naman. Lilinisan yung scanner ng ACM [Automated Counting Machine] konting linis lang, tapos okay naman,” according to Ester Capangpangan, a teacher.

The barangay chairman of Taboc, Wilmer Labro, said that the mock elections turned out to be orderly, and without setbacks.

“Okay naman po, okay naman yung ano, yung machine na ginamit ng COMELEC. Maganda naman ang resulta hanggang sa ano nga balota, okay naman ang kinalabasan,” Labro said.

Personnel of the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Army, and Barangay Taboc monitored the activity, as well as members of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), and teachers.

Further, 88 ballots were tested in the mock elections in San Gabriel Elementary School.

The mock elections simulated the scenario in polling precincts, from training teachers to preparing the polling center and paraphernalia on election day.

“For Borongan City, there was an overwhelming response sa voting public for both barangays. Actually we were requested to test, for example in Barangay San Gabriel, 88 voters yung need natin pero yung nagpunta was more than the numbers needed. We’re very happy with the response ng public, same with Barangay Taboc,” said Atty. Bliz Desery Inciso Duzon, election officer of Comelec Borongan City.

Furthermore, a mock election was also conducted in Lawaan Central Elementary School in Lawaan town, Eastern Samar, and witnessed by personnel from COMELEC, the police, as well as volunteers from election watchdog, National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL).