The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) expressed concern on Wednesday over the reported discovery of election equipment in an unsecured non-government facility.
PDP Laban vice chairperson Alfonso Cusi raised the alarm following the recovery of several Starlink satellite kits that are vital for the electronic transmission of election returns in a private residence in Barangay Buhangin, Davao City.
“We express grave concern over recent reports that election paraphernalia, specifically transmission equipment identified as Starlink satellite kits, were discovered in a private residence in Davao City,” Cusi said in a statement.
He said the devices are critical for transmitting election data from polling precincts to central servers.
“Their presence in an unsecured, non-government facility raises important questions that cannot be ignored — issues on storage protocols, security arrangements and the chain of custody for sensitive election materials,” he said.
“Given the significance of these devices in the transmission phase of the election process, their protection must be absolute,” he added.
Cusi emphasized the importance of ensuring that every Filipino vote is cast freely, counted accurately, and protected from doubt or uncertainty.
He called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to take every measure to ensure that all electoral processes “remain secure, lawful and above suspicion.”
Cusi said the PDP Laban has also renewed its call to the Comelec to enforce existing electoral laws, including the requirement for manual voting at precincts. He emphasized that transparency is crucial for maintaining the public trust.
“When every ballot is read aloud, when every tally is done in full view of the public, we build trust. We ensure that no machine — and no one behind it — can tamper with the voice of the people,” he said.
The PDP Laban, an opposition party aligned with former president Rodrigo Duterte, also opposed the proposed online voting system for overseas Filipinos.
“In the same vein, we strongly urge the Comelec to pause the implementation of online or internet-based voting for overseas Filipinos until there is a clear and proper law that authorizes it,” Cusi said.
“Before we change the way Filipinos vote, especially our kababayan abroad, we must first be sure that the system is legal, secure, and thoroughly vetted before implementation,” he said.
Cusi said the voting reforms must go through proper legislative processes and “not just administrative issuances.”
“With the 2025 national and local elections fast approaching, we believe that now, more than ever, is the time to uphold and reinforce the public’s trust in our democratic institutions,” he added.