Latest news with #Eleksyon2025
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Imee Marcos eyes new Omnibus Election Code
Voters fill out their ballots at Silang Central Elementary School in Silang, Cavite on Monday, May 12, 2025, for the midterm national and local elections. SANDRA AGUINALDO/ GMA Integrated News Senator Imee Marcos has filed a measure seeking to revise and recodify all the election statutes, paving the way for the New Omnibus Election Code of 2025. In the explanatory note of Senate Bill 425, Marcos, chairman of the Senate committee on electoral reforms and people's participation, said certain provisions of the 1985 Omnibus Election Code are "outrightly ill-suited for modern times." "The [OEC] is well more than three decades old. Since the inception of the OEC, there have been many significant changes in the manner by which elections are conducted," the senator said. "Likewise, regulations and limitations under the OEC have since been proven inadequate to realistically ensure a more level-playing field for candidates," she added. In 2023, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) finished a 964-page draft of proposed amendments to the Omnibus Election Code, according to poll chairman George Garcia. He said the proposed revisions include provisions on the overhaul of the party-list system and changes in campaign finance. The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission, which sent a delegation to monitor Eleksyon 2025, said in its report that nearly half of the provisions of the Omnibus Election Code, including those for campaign finance and election offenses, are already "outdated." Those provisions, the report said, were already superseded by the 1987 Constitution and by numerous subsequent laws and regulations. BSKE term of office Under Marcos' bill, the Comelec shall have exclusive charge of enforcement and administration of all laws and regulations to the conduct of election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum, and recall for the purpose of ensuring free orderly and honest elections. The measure also provides for the conduct of a hybrid election system—a combination of the automated election system and the manual election system—to ensure transparency and credibility of the electoral processes. This hybrid election system shall be applicable to the May 2028 elections and all national, local, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) polls thereafter. The bill also stated that the term of office of all elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) officials shall be four years. The BSKE elections will be held on the first Monday of November 2026 and every four years thereafter. No elective barangay official shall also serve for more than three consecutive terms in the same positions, while no elective SK official shall serve for more than one term in the same post. Party-list, substitution The bill also classified the party-list system into: a) political parties or coalition of political parties; and b) sectoral parties or organizations. Each of these classifications shall have 50% of the seats allocated for the party-list. Each registered party, organization, or coalition shall submit to the Comelec a list of names of not less than five nominees from which party-list representatives shall be chosen in case it obtains the required number of votes, together with the certificates of nomination and acceptance of all the nominees in such list. Substitution shall also be allowed for any nominee who dies, becomes physically incapacitated, or has been disqualified. "No substitution shall be allowed for nominees who withdrew their acceptance to the nomination. In the event the list of nominees of a party-list group is exhausted because of the withdrawal of all its nominees, such party, organization, or coalition shall be deemed to have withdrawn its manifestation of intent to participate in the elections," the bill noted. Only a person belonging to and nominated by the same political party may file a certificate of candidacy to replace any official candidate who died, became incapacitated, or was disqualified after the last day of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs). In all cases of substitution after the period for filing of COCs, the substitute candidate must have the same surname as the candidate being substituted for. Cha-cha The proposed measure also states that a petition for an initiative on the 1987 Constitution must have at least 12% of the total number of registered voters as signatories, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least 3% of the registered voters. Initiative on the Constitution may also be exercised only once every five years. So far in the 20th Congress, only Senator Robin Padilla has filed a resolution seeking to revise the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines through a constitutional convention. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Comelec: Yedda Romualdez to serve as Tingog partylist rep after 3rd nominee exit
Yedda Romualdez, wife of Speaker Martin Romualdez, will replace third nominee Marie Josephine Calatrava, who resigned from Tingog citing 'personal circumstances'. Former Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez will return to the House of Representatives (HOR) in the 20th Congress as she is set to take the third seat of Tingog Partylist following the exit of three of its nominees, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday. Romualdez, wife of Speaker Martin Romualdez, will replace third nominee Marie Josephine Calatrava, who resigned from Tingog citing 'personal circumstances'. Fourth nominee Alexis Yu and fifth nominee Paul Muncada likewise resigned as nominees following their election as party executive vice-president, and vice-president for internal affairs, respectively. According to Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, the substitution is allowed under the Party-list System Act as Yedda is included in the list of nominees the party submitted to the poll body. 'Halimbawa, nag-resign si 1, papalit si number 2. Namatay si number 3, papalit si number 4. So long as di pa nauubos ang sinubmit satin,' he said. (If the first nominee resigned, the second will replace him. If the third nominee dies, the fourth nominee will replace him. As long as the replacing nominee is included in the names they submitted to us.) Tingog Partylist ranked third in Eleksyon 2025, securing three seats for the incoming 20th Congress. Yeddah is its sixth nominee while her son, Andrew Julian Romualdez, was named first nominee. 'Dapat si number 6 ang ipapalit and we have no discretion on that. Ito ay duly-submitted ng naturang partylist at duly-published by the commission,' said Garcia. (The sixth nominee will replace the third and we have no discretion on that. She is part of the duly-submitted names of the partylist.) 'Walang natanggap na disqualification or opposition or petition for disqualification sa sampu na yan therefore, intact ang listahan. Kahit hindi kami mag-issue ng certificate of proclamation, pwede na tanggapin ng HOR sapagkat na-proclaim na ang naturang party-list,' he added. (We did not receive any disqualification or opposition or petition for disqualification on the ten names and therefore, the list is intact. The HOR can proclaim her even without or certification as the partylist was already proclaimed.) — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Leni Robredo: Bam, Kiko embracing more allies no betrayal of cause
Former vice president and incumbent Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo said the move of her allies Senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan to reach out for more allies is not betrayal but a way to strengthen the fight for reforms. In a podcast interview, Robredo said Aquino and Pangilinan won big in Eleksyon 2025 because they were not quick to dismiss people who share their belief of improving Filipinos' quality of life despite disagreements with other parties on some issues. "Sa atin lang, if we fight right, may chance tayo. Gaya ng ginawa nila Senator Bam (Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan), kung gusto natin manalo, kailangan mas lawakan natin iyong space natin para sa dissenting views. 'Yung support pa din ng base [ang nagdala]. Pero more than that, 'yung strategy din na in-employ nila," Robredo said. (If we fight right, we have a chance. Just like what Senators Bam and Kiko did. They allowed space for those with dissenting views. The base delivered for them, but on top of that, it was this strategy that they employed that delivered.) "Hindi sila naging purist, mas naging pragmatic na klaro sa isip na kailangan itong ipanalo. Maraming desisyon na ginagawa kami for Bam and Kiko. 'Yung feeling ng iba na parang naging traitor na agad for the cause, pero actually necessary siya para makatawid. Parang nag-pay off naman in the end. They did what needs to be done na without sacrificing their principles," Robredo said in a recent episode of The Linya Linya Show podcast. (They were not purists, they were pragmatic and had a clear mind that the victory was needed. A lot of decisions were made for them, and some felt it was a betrayal of the cause, but actually it was necessary and paid off in the end. They did what needs to be done without sacrificing their principles.) In the end, Robredo said Aquino and Pangilinan even got the backing of local officials during the 2025 elections even if these officials did not back here Eleksyon 2022 presidential bid. Aquino finished second in the 2025 senatorial race with more than 20 million votes, while Pangilinan placed fifth with more than 15 million votes even though they hardly made it to Top 12 in pre-election polls. Robredo's interview came amid the ongoing changes in the Senate under the 20th Congress and reports that Aquino and Pangilinan are set to join the administration or majority bloc in the Senate to advance their advocacies. Senator Risa Hontiveros, who supported Aquino and Pangilinan in their 2025 senatorial bids, has expressed openness to join the Senate "veterans bloc," but not the majority. Inclusivity vs. cancelling In the same interview, Robredo urged allies and supporters to embrace collaboration and inclusivity rather than "cancelling" out people based on a single issue. "Marami pa rin kasi tayong mga kasama na mas puso, mas puso yung pinapairal, mas emotion. Ako, kung gusto natin manalo, 'di puwede 'yun eh. Kung gusto nating manalo, kailangan mas malayo 'yung pagtingin natin at mas malawak," Robredo said. (We have a lot of allies who are more driven by emotions. If we want to win, we cannot do that. If we want to win, we need to long farther down the road with a broad view. "Ngayon, [just] one move ng isang kandidato na hindi sang ayon sa kanila, aawayin [na]. Hindi iyon nakakatulong eh. Parang masyadong defeatist. We should look for the consistency of their actions, rather than a single issue. Parang sa mag-asawa rin, hindi naman kayo perpekto. Pero dahil mahal niyo ang isa't isa, nagbibigay kayo ng espasyo," Robredo added. (If they disagree on one issue, they mob the person with criticism. It does not help. It's like a defeatist attitude. We should look for consistency of their actions, rather than a single issue. It's like a married couple, neither are perfect individuals but because you love each other, you give each other space.) Robredo said reforms can only be achieved when genuine public servants are elected into office, and that even allies have different moves to play so that competent ones are voted into office by the public. "Halimbawa, [kung] ang paniniwala ko dapat inaatake talaga natin lahat ng kalaban. Okay naman iyon, pero irespeto mo rin iyong paniniwala ng iba na ang tingin nila hindi 'yan ang way, ang tingin nila mas effective itong [ibang paraan]. We each have roles to play. Merong tumitira, merong nagdidiplomasya, some strategize, but we all work together," Robredo said. (If one believes that we should criticize on all enemies, then that is fine. But that person should also respect other allies who might think of a different approach. We each have roles to play. Some criticize, some use diplomacy, some strategize, but we all work together.) "'Yung nakita ko kasi sa iba nating kasama hindi gan'un e. Kung ako tumitira, gusto ko lahat tayo tumitira. Hindi naiintindihan [iyong roles eh]. Mahihirapan tayo na wala tayong espasyo para don sa mga hindi eksakto sa paniniwala natin," she added. (I've seen that some of our colleagues are not like this. For them, if I criticize, I want all of us to criticize. The individual roles are not understood. It will be very hard for us if we are not going to allow space for people who do not share our beliefs to the letter.) Kiko's promise In a separate statement, Pangilinan echoed Robredo that reaching out to more allies is betrayal of the cause. "I have not turned my back on my principles. I hope that those who support me will understand that I have a promise to keep: to bring down the prices of food and strengthen the agricultural sector. Tanging ito, at hindi ang pansariling interes, ang magiging basehan ng aking magiging pasya sa July 28 kung sa minorya ba o sa mayorya tayo lulugar," Pangilinan said. (This is my sole promise—not personal interest— which will be the basis of my upcoming decision on July 28 if I will side with the minority or majority.) "Many elected officials do not take their own campaign promises seriously and forget about them when elected. I am not that kind of elected official. My word is my honor. In the end, my final decision on the 28th will be guided by the above mentioned considerations. As I seek to understand those who disagree with me, I pray and humbly seek to be understood as well," Pangilinan added. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Politics
- 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
10-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Pia Cayetano reports P169M campaign donations in Eleksyon 2025
Reelectionist Senator Pia Cayetano received the highest contributions among the 12 winning senators in the May 2025 midterm polls, taking more than P169 million in donations to power her campaign. Based on her statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCEs), Cayetano received P169.62 million worth of donations for her senatorial bid, of which P156.85 million was in cash. A total of P12.77 million, meanwhile, was in kind. Cayetano reported spending P162 million for the senatorial race. Meanwhile, reelectionist Senator Ronald dela Rosa trailed Cayetano, receiving P160.6 million worth of donations. Of this amount, cash contributions were at P128 million while in-kind donations stood at P32.6 million. Dela Rosa, in his submission to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), said he spent P128.7 million for his campaign. Reelectionist Senator Lito Lapid followed Dela Rosa after reporting more than P160.30 million in cash contributions—the highest among the so-called Magic 12. Lapid indicated in his SOCE that he did not receive any in-kind donations. He spent P163.58 million for his campaign expenditures. Senator Ping Lacson received the highest in-kind campaign contributions with P118.51 million, but only spent P18.96 million for his campaign. No donations received Meanwhile, some senatorial candidates stated in their SOCEs that they did not receive any cash or in-kind donations for their campaign. They include neophyte Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who reported P112.86 million in campaign expenditures. Other senatorial candidates who also did not receive election contributions, based on their SOCEs, include losing candidates Jose Montemayor Jr., who had zero campaign expenses; TV host Willie Revillame, who spent P104.70 million for the senatorial race; retired Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin; and former Valenzuela representative Eric Martinez. Senator Camille Villar is the biggest spender in the recent Eleksyon 2025, incurring more than P179.6 million in campaign expenses. Section 13 of Republic Act 7166 provides the limits of authorized expenses of candidates and political parties. It states that candidates vying for presidency and vice presidency may spend up to P10 for every registered voter. Among senatorial candidates, aspirants with political parties are allowed to spend P3 for every voter, while independent candidates may spend up to P5. Political parties, meanwhile, are allowed up to P5 for every voter currently registered in the constituency or constituencies where it has official candidates. The Comelec set the deadline for the SOCE submissions on June 11. — VDV, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
