Comelec asks 12 May declared holiday

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday requested President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare 12 May a holiday to encourage more Filipinos to vote.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia explained that declaring election day a holiday would allow people to vote without worrying about missing work.

While past elections have typically been declared special non-working holidays, election day still hasn’t been officially proclaimed as such. Garcia emphasized that the President’s declaration is needed.

Around 68 million Filipinos are expected to vote in the upcoming midterm elections, where over 18,000 officials will be elected.

Meanwhile, the Comelec debunked another fake news making the rounds on social media — this time about a new schedule of the upcoming midterm polls.

In the fake graphic, it was claimed that from 12 May, the national and local elections will be moved to 10 May, “due to intense heat.”

In an advisory on Monday, the Comelec clarified that the post did not come from its official and verified social media channels.

The poll body said the national and local elections on 12 May will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, early voting hours for senior citizens, persons with disability, and pregnant voters will be from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.

The poll body also reminded the public that spreading false information is an election offense under Section 261(z)(11) of the Omnibus Election Code.

Last week, another false information made the rounds on social media, alleging that voters would need to show their National ID to be allowed to cast their votes.

The Comelec was quick to debunk the post as false and did not come from the poll body.