CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Commission on Elections has declared the 2025 national and local elections in Central Luzon as “very orderly and very peaceful,” noting the absence of major incidents and only minor technical glitches.
“We are pleased to report that the conduct of elections in Central Luzon has been very peaceful and very orderly. We thank all the voters for their patience and discipline, and most importantly, for coming out to vote and exercise their right to suffrage,” Comelec assistant regional election director Elmo Duque said.
He reported that electoral boards and Department of Education supervising officials remained in polling centers after the voting hours to finalize tasks, including printing and posting of election returns (ERs), generating audit logs, saving backups, and reviewing ballots before machines were shut down.
Comelec also addressed concerns about defective machines, noting that only 49 out of 9,584 automated counting machines (ACMs) were reported damaged, which is just 0.445 percent.
These include 18 from Pampanga; Bulacan – 13; Tarlac – 12; Zambales – three; Bataan—two; and Aurora – one.
Duque assured that contingency machines were deployed swiftly to affected areas, minimizing delays.
“In Kaingin, Meycauayan [Bulacan], we had to place ballots in a secured container while waiting for a replacement machine, but the voting resumed shortly after,” Duque explained.
He also emphasized that no major disruption occurred during the elections.
“There was a reported commotion in a barangay in Magalang, Pampanga, but it happened outside the polling place and did not affect the conduct of the elections in any manner,” he clarified.
Duque said the improved logistics of ACMs and the faster printing of ERs allowed some proclamations as early as 10 p.m.
Meanwhile, he also expressed appreciation to the police and security forces for their role in ensuring peaceful polls.
“For and in behalf of our regional election director [Atty. Temie Lambino], we thank the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philiipine Coast Guard, and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency for their steadfast support in ensuring peace and order during this election. Their constant help and support to Comelec is deeply appreciated,” Duque said.
He further thanked all personnel and partners in the election process. “To our Comelec staff, our partners from the Bureau of Treasury, Department of Education, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and other agencies who are deeply involved in the election process, we thank you all.”
Duque likewise appealed to the public to respect the election results and work towards unity.
“Thank you to our candidates for making this election peaceful and credible. We hope that everyone accepts the will of the people. Whoever wins, let us support one another for the good of our nation and our local government units. From this day forward, let us begin rebuilding together,” he said. Marie Joy S. Carbungco/PIA-3
