Comelec looking to hold special elections in Tubaran, Lanao del Sur on May 24

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is eyeing to conduct special elections in Tubaran, Lanao del Sur on May 24, two weeks after its reported failure of elections, acting poll spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said on Saturday.

In a press conference, Laudiangco stressed that the situation in Tuburan had been “contained” after at least 12 barangays in Tubaran reported violence, threats, and intimidation related to the 2022 elections. These barangays were Tangcal, Datumanong, Guiarong, Baguiangun, Wago, Malaganding, Gadongan, Riantaran, Pagalamatan, Mindamunag, Paigoday-pimbataan, and Metadicop.

“Under Section 7 of the Omnibus Election Code, we have to be sure that the cause of the failure of elections should have seized first. That’s why kami po ay may projection na ng May 24 para sa special elections sa Tubaran (we already have projected to hold the special elections in Tubaran on May 24),” he said.

“Right now, the situation there is contained. Violence had been quelled and controlled and all the preparations are being done in order to pursue the special elections,” he added.

Aside from Tubaran, the Comelec had declared a failure of elections in other barangays in the municipalities of Binidayan and Butig, Lanao del Sur.

Laudiangco further said that there was no need to bring special ballots and vote counting machines to Tubaran as the Comelec had all of them at hand.

He also pointed out that the Comelec, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), will still looking into whether the special elections in Tubaran would affect the canvassing of the Certificates of Canvass (COCs) for senators and party-list groups.

“Sa ngayon, hindi pa kami makapagpahayag, but we are optimistic na ito naman sa Tubaran ay hindi makakaapekto given na malinaw naman ‘yung resulta ng transparency websites,” he said. “’Pag nakita na po ng NBOC na hindi makakaapekto ang halalan, that is the only time that the NBOC will decide to proceed with the proclamation. Until such time na hindi pa nakikita, napagaaralan, at nadedesisyunan ‘yan, under consideration pa rin ang status nito.”

(So far, we cannot say yet how it can affect us, but we are optimistic that the special elections in Tubaran will not affect us, given the clear results from the transparency websites. Once the NBOC sees that the election will not be affected, that is the only time that they can decide to proceed with the proclamation. Until such time that it has not been seen, studied, and decided, its status will remain under consideration.)

Laudiangco on Thursday said the poll body plans to proclaim the winning senators in the May 9 polls early next week.

Meanwhile, the National Board of Canvassers suspended it's work past 5 p.m. on Saturday, with 139 out of 173, or 80.34%, of COCs for senatorial and party-list elections having been canvassed.

Laudiangco added that nearly all regions had transmitted 100 percent of their COCs.

They were still waiting for COCs from overseas absentee voting, particularly those from Amman, Jordan. These were expected to arrive today.

Meanwhile, 100% of all local absentee voting COCs had been canvassed with an 88.73% voter turnout.

The Vulnerable Sectors Office, which handles the votes from people with disabilities, indigenous peoples, pregnant voters, and senior citizens, was also expected to submit their COCs.

Actor Robin Padilla still topped the 2022 senatorial elections based on the partial and official canvassing results in 17 regions and overseas voting released by the NBOC on Friday with 23,908,730 votes. — DVM, GMA News