Residents needing voter certifications in Mangaldan, Pangasinan are left disappointed after the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) suspended issuance from May 7 to May 19, 2025.

The decision, according to Mangaldan Municipal Election Officer Gloria Cadiente, is to allow election staff to focus fully on preparations for the May 12 polls.

“To give us ample time to prepare para sa eleksyon,” she said.

But the suspension has inconvenienced many locals who rely on voter certifications for identification, especially for transactions like remittances and vehicle purchases.

“Dapat huwag suspendihin kasi kawawa naman kung hindi matapos ang transaction, magkakaroon ng delay,” Aracelle Mendoza, a frustrated voter who visited the COMELEC office only to go home empty-handed, said.

One resident, Israel Dupagan, had to postpone plans to purchase a motorcycle because he could not present a valid primary ID.

“May PhilHealth ako pero ayaw nila ‘yun kasi secondary ID lang ‘yun. Babalik na lang ako,” Dupagan said.

COMELEC announced that the issuance of voter certifications will resume on May 20, 2025, after the election.

The office said the pause aims to ensure a peaceful, smooth, and successful electoral process.