The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said that it’s all systems go for the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE) with 100 percent delivery of automated counting machines (ACMs).
Jomel Ordas, provincial COMELEC spokesperson said that automated counting machines (ACMs) official ballots and other paraphernalia has been delivered to the different municipalities in Palawan.
He said that a final testing and sealing of ACMs has been successfully done in Kalayaan town, an island municipality of Palawan, while the following day May 6, they conducted it in Linapacan. The rest he said, was done on May 7, 2025.
Ordas explained that the ACMs are similar to the PCOS previously utilized in automated elections.
“Halos pareho lang ito sa PCOS. Ang mga fratures nito ay mas compliant sa ating election laws at mas users friendly,” he explained.
Technicians and technical personnel are assigned in voting centers to assist any technical glitches during the election day, the election official assured.
Recently, the regional office of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with two malls in this city for the Mall Voting Program.
Comelec Regional Election Director Gloria Ramos-Petallo said this program aims to provide convenience to voters while building an inclusive electoral system.
It is also designed to modernize the country’s electoral system in the country.
The Comelec in Mimaropa, Puerto Princesa City and Palawan signed the MOA with SM City Puerto Princesa and NCCC Malls. The program will cater voters from Mandaragat, Manggahan, Maningning and Tanglaw.
On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the final testing and sealing of Automated Counting Machines (ACM) was conducted at the 3rd floor of SM Puerto Princesa, one of the venues of the Mall Voting Program.
On the other hand, the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Mimaropa region headed by regional director PBGen Roger L. Quesada conducted this week a command briefing with key officials in an effort to align operational directives in preparation for the 2025 elections.
PBGen Quesada said that it was focused on the strategic deployment of personnel, strengthened coordination with election stakeholders, and proactive measures to address potential threats and disruptions.
“We are fully committed to upholding the sanctity of the electoral process. Our mission is to protect the people’s will by ensuring their votes are cast and counted in an environment of peace and order,” he said.
The PNP regional office in Mimaropa has mobilized over 5,000 police personnel to secure 1,569 polling precincts across the region which PGen Quesada described as carefully.planned to enhance police visibility, deter potential threats, and enable rapid response to any untoward incidents before, during, and after Election Day.
This week, the Puerto Princesa City Police Office (PPCPO) has presented a comprehensive overview of the strategic deployment of PNP personnel across polling centers, canvassing sites and other key areas within the city. PCapt Bryan T. Rayoso, public information officer with PMaj Pearl Manyll Marzo, acting chief of the city operations and management unit facilitated the press briefing
She underscored the crucial roles played by various PPCPO units and supporting elements from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). She emphasized the vital responsibilities of security personnel, including safeguarding polling places, ensuring a rapid response to incidents, and strengthening overall security operations at the precinct level. She also added that the PPCPO has deployed personnel to augment the Palawan Provincial Police Office in support of the 2025 National and Local Elections.
