THE Commission on Elections signed a memorandum of agreement with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders at the launching of Committee on Kontra Bigay at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila on 7 February. The Comelec has issued a resolution allowing warrantless arrests of individuals caught in the act of vote buying and selling. Philippine National Police chief Rommel Francisco Marbil and Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia vowed to make the 2025 midterm elections as the safest elections ever.  Photograph by jose aurelio lozano for the daily tribune
NATION

PNP, Comelec out to secure CL polls

The pact underscores a shared responsibility in safeguarding democracy and public trust.

Franco Regala

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) have joined forces to ensure fair and peaceful elections in Central Luzon this year.  

A Solidarity Pact was signed on 5 February here, solidifying their commitment to securing the National and Local Elections, as well as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections.

The signing ceremony brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Land Transportation Office, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard.  

Religious leaders, NGOs and other civil society groups also attended, highlighting the broad-based support for credible elections.

 PRO3 Regional Director PBGen. Jean S. Fajardo emphasized the PNP’s role in protecting the integrity of the ballot, stating that their commitment extends beyond securing polling places to ensuring every citizen can vote freely and without fear.  

The pact underscores a shared responsibility in safeguarding democracy and public trust.

Comelec Region 3 Director Atty. Temie P. Lambino and Comelec Commissioner Nelson Celis also participated in the event.

 The agreement focuses not only on security but also on combating misinformation and upholding the rule of law to maintain public confidence in the electoral process.