As the December 1, 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) approach, Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman
George Erwin Mojica Garcia remains steadfast in his mandate to ensure
clean, credible, and inclusive polls. With nearly 42,000 barangays
nationwide set to elect new grassroots leaders, Garcia’s leadership is at the
forefront of preparing the country for one of its largest democratic exercises.
A
Mandate of Continuity and Reform
Chairman Garcia, who assumed the top COMELEC post in
2022 and whose term runs until 2029, has been championing a strategic balance
of reform, efficiency, and inclusivity. Despite calls from some lawmakers to
postpone or reschedule the BSKE, Garcia has maintained COMELEC’s commitment to
conduct the elections as mandated by the Supreme Court and current laws—unless
Congress enacts otherwise.
“We
will follow the law. Until it is amended, we are bound to proceed with the
December 1, 2025 elections,” Garcia emphasized in
recent public briefings.
Voter
Registration: Making Every Voice Count
Central to the preparation is the nationwide voter
registration period from July 1 to 11, 2025. With a particular focus on the
youth, COMELEC expects over 1 million first-time voters, especially those aged
15 to 17 for the SK elections. In a bold move to curb fraud, Garcia ordered the
removal of the barangay certificate requirement, which has often been misused
to pad voter lists.
Garcia noted. “This
decision promotes inclusivity while protecting the sanctity of the voters’
list,” “We want a registration
process that’s accessible but secure.”
Fully
Manual Voting: A Conscious Choice
Unlike national elections that employ automated systems,
the BSKE will be fully manual, a choice that Garcia defends as practical and
economical. Though COMELEC successfully piloted automated voting in Dasmariñas,
Cavite in 2023, Garcia says the manual method is still preferred for
barangay-level contests due to its simplicity and significantly lower costs.
“We
are dealing with small electoral units where personal relationships play a big
role. Voters prefer to write the names of people they know,”
Garcia explained. “Automation is good,
but for BSKE, manual voting ensures clarity and community trust.”
Prioritizing
Marginalized Sectors
One of Garcia’s key reforms is early voting for
senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and heavily pregnant women.
Polling centers will open at 4:00 a.m. on election day, with special
accommodations for these sectors until 7:00 a.m., ensuring they can vote with
ease and dignity.
“Accessibility
is justice in action,” Garcia said. “We want no Filipino left behind in this democratic process.”
Budget,
Honoraria, and Resource Gaps
COMELEC was granted an ₱11
billion budget for the 2025 BSKE—short of the agency’s initial request.
While grateful, Garcia raised concerns about the non-payment of ₱2,000
honoraria for teachers and electoral board members, which had to be removed due
to funding constraints. He has since appealed to the Office of the President
for supplemental support.
“Our
teachers will report as early as 4 a.m. to make elections happen. We must honor
their service not just in words, but through fair compensation,”
Garcia said.
Cracking
Down on Premature Campaigning
A longtime advocate of electoral fairness, Garcia
has warned potential candidates and incumbent officials about premature
campaigning, use of government funds for propaganda, and vote buying. Once the
filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) begins, stricter enforcement will
follow.
He has also called for legislation to criminalize
nuisance candidacies, which burden the system and confuse voters. “Running for
public office should be an act of service—not a joke or a tactic to manipulate
the outcome,” he asserted.
Building
Toward a Credible Election
Chairman Garcia’s leadership has been defined by
proactive reforms—from online overseas voting pilots, to mall precinct
simulations, and new vote-counting machine procurement for future elections.
For the BSKE, his vision remains focused on community empowerment,
transparency, and electoral integrity.
“We
may not be electing senators or presidents in December, but barangay and SK
leaders are the ones closest to the people,” Garcia
stressed. “These elections must be
honest, peaceful, and truly reflective of the people’s will.”
Looking
Ahead
Despite proposals in Congress to either extend the
term of barangay officials to four or six years or reschedule the BSKE to 2026
or 2029, Garcia affirms that COMELEC is moving full speed ahead. As of now, all
systems are “go” for December 1.
In
the words of the Chairman:
“Every
election, no matter the scale, is a reflection of our democracy. It is our duty
to safeguard it at every level.”
As the nation prepares for this vital democratic
event, George Erwin Mojica Garcia
continues to lead with a clear mandate: uphold the voice of the people, protect
the integrity of the process, and ensure that every vote counts—starting in
every barangay.
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