Comelec informs SC of start of ballot printing for Eleksyon 2025

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has transmitted a letter to the Supreme Court (SC) informing about the start of the printing of the official ballots for the 2025 national and local elections (NLE). 

Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said this is to notify the SC of the developments on the preparations for this year’s midterm polls. 

“I am officially writing a letter to our honorable Chief Justice, informing the SC, that we will start the printing of ballots by January 6,” said Garcia.

“It is not to influence the SC on what to do sa mga kaso na nai-file sa kanila subalit para maiwasan 'yung nangyari nung nakaraang halalan na napapagalitan ang Comelec dahil hindi naiinform ang SC kung ano na ang updates sa ating preparations. Ngayon po bawat kilos, bawat ginagawa natin ay reported sa SC,” he said. 

(The intention is not to influence the Supreme Court regarding the cases filed before it, but rather to avoid a repeat of what happened during the previous elections, where the Comelec was reprimanded for not informing the Supreme Court of updates on our preparations. Now, every action we take is reported to the Supreme Court.)

Some 2025 NLE aspirants including former Caloocan representative Edgar Erice sought relief from the High Court regarding the disqualification of their poll bid. 

According to Garcia, individuals with cases declared as final and executory will be excluded from the ballot. However, should they secure a TRO from the SC, the poll body will comply with the ruling and insert their names. 

"May declaration na final and executory ‘yung kaniyang decision and judgement. Ibig sabihin as far as the Comelec is concerned, 'yung may final and executory ay tanggal ang pangalan sa listahan,” Garcia said. 

(The Comelec en banc deemed its decision as final and executory. As far as the Comelec is concerned, aspirants with final and executory decision will be excluded in the ballot.)

“Hanggat wala kaming nakukuhang TRO, we will have to proceed with the printing of ballots,” he said 

(As long as there is no TRO, we’ll have to proceed with the printing.)

The Comelec will start the printing of the 73 million ballots on Monday, January 6, 2025 until April 14, 2025.—AOL, GMA Integrated News