Comelec launches nationwide distribution of VIS for Eleksyon 2025

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday launched the nationwide distribution of voter's information sheets (VIS) for Eleksyon 2025.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia, accompanied by Commissioner Rey Bulay, personally distributed copies of VIS to some registered voters on F.B. Harrison Street in Pasay City.

“Siguro sa iba, ordinaryong papel lang 'yan. Pero una, requirement 'yan ng batas. Kung sinasabi ng iba bakit ngayon lang naha-highlight, siguro nga dahil ngayon lang natin nabibigyan ng tuon na mayroon tayong VIS na kinakailangan matanggap ng bawat isang Pilipino,” said Garcia.

(This may be an ordinary paper but the law requires this. If some people are wondering why are we highlighting it only now, maybe because it is only now that we are focusing on the fact that we have a VIS that every Filipino needs to receive.)

“Sa buong bansa ngayong araw na ito ay magsisimula na rin ang distribution ng VIS, hindi lang sa Pasay,” he said.

(The nationwide distribution kicks off today, not just in Pasay.)

A VIS contains the voter’s name and address, as well as instructions and reminders on how to cast ballots.

It likewise includes the list of national and local candidates and 155 party-lists for the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE).

Instead of barangay officials, the Comelec decided to hire temporary employees to distribute the VIS to prevent the process becoming “politicized”. The distributors will be provided with Comelec identification (ID) cards and will be mandated to hand copies of the VIS to the respective voter.  

If the voter is not present at his or her registered address, an authorized representative may accept the VIS on his or her behalf.

“Ang ating paalala sa ating mga kababayan…'yun pong mga pinapatanggap at pinapapirma, pirmahan niyo lang po 'yun. Hindi 'yan para sa kung saan gagamitin…Pinapa-receive ito sa inyo para may ebidensiya ang mga tauhan ng Comelec na natanggap ninyo ‘yung kopya ng VIS,” said Garcia.

(We remind our countrymen that you should sign the list presented to you. It will not be used for other purposes. We are asking you to sign as it will serve as a piece of evidence for the Comelec personnel that you received a copy of the VIS.)

“Sana ang makakatanggap nito, pag-aralan ang VIS. Nandiyan ang precinct kung saan kayo boboto, nandiyan ang polling place, panuntunan sa pagboto, paano gamitin ang makina, at listahan ng kandidato sa national at local at party-lists,” he added.

(We call on voters to study the VIS. It contains your precinct number, polling place, instructions on how to vote and use the machines, and a list of the national and local candidates and party-list groups.)

According to Garcia, several regions including Cordillera Administrative Region, and Regions X, XI, XII, and BARMM have started the VIS distribution as the poll body targets to finish it by April 31. The Comelec completed the printing of 68 million VIS for the May polls.

“Sana dala-dala nila ang VIS na parang kodigo nila at 'yan ang basehan sa pagboto. Huwag na umasa sa sample ballots kasi una, illegal 'yun. Bawal ang kampanya isang araw bago ang election. Pangalawa, baka kasi mali ang pangalan na nandu'n at numero sa pinamimigay na sample ballots. Mas maganda na dito na lang umasa sa VIS,” he added.

(We hope voters will bring the VIS and use it as a guide when voting. Do not rely on sample ballots because first of all, that is illegal. Campaigning a day before Election Day is not allowed. Second, the voter's name may be misspelled or the precinct number may be wrong in the sample ballots being given out. It is better to use the VIS.)

Precinct finder

Meanwhile, Garcia said the poll body will reopen their precinct finder for this year’s elections two weeks before the May 12 polls, allowing voters to find their assigned voting centers or precincts ahead of the elections.

“Mayroon tayong ilalabas na precinct finder and therefore, kahit meron ng copy ng VIS, pwede niyo pa rin tingnan ang pangalan, presinto at saang elementary school kayo boboto. Available 'yan [online] 24 hours a day at least two weeks before the election," he said.

(We will make available the precinct finder. Therefore, even if you have a copy of the VIS, you can still look up your name, precinct, and what elementary school you should go to to cast your vote. That will be available [online] 24 hours a day at least two weeks before the election.)

There are 69.6 million registered voters for the May polls and of that number, 68.4 million are in the country while 1.2 million are overseas voters. —KG, GMA Integrated News

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