Comelec adds 42 provincial board member seats for Eleksyon 2025

An additional 42 provincial board member seats will be up for grabs in the 2025 national and local elections (NLE), according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The poll body recently issued Comelec Resolution No. 11085, which amended the vacant provincial board seats for next year’s elections in accordance with a Department of Finance (DOF) order, adjusting the income classification of 22 provinces in the country.

“After due deliberation, the Commission En Banc, by virtue of the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, the Administrative Code of 1987 and other relevant statutes, hereby resolves to accordingly adjust the number of seats previously allotted to the concerned provinces for the purpose of the 12 May 2025 NLE and  BARMM Parliamentary Elections, pursuant to DOF Order No. 07- 2024,” the resolution read.

Among the concerned provinces are Abra, Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Batanes, Quirino, Aurora, Marinduque, Romblon, Catanduanes, Guimaras, Siquijor, and Biliran.

Also included are Southern Leyte, Camiguin, Davao Occidental, Agusan del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Basilan, Maguindanao del Norte, and Tawi-Tawi.

All the provinces were allocated with two additional provincial board member seats except Maguindanao del Norte, whose seats were reduced from 10 to eight.

“After a comparative analysis of the data per the Election Records and Statistics Department's available records and that which was stated in the DOF Order, the number of Sangguniang Panlalawigan candidates who filed their Certificates of Candidacy is more than the allocated seats provided by law,” the resolution said.

“Thus, there is a sufficient number of candidates that will occupy the additional seats, except in the Province of Biliran,” it added.

In the case of Biliran, procedures under the Local Government Code state that the vacancy will be filled via the appointment/s made by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. —RF, GMA Integrated News