Comelec says LAV may provide swing votes

MANILA, Philippines — Votes from local absentee voting (LAV) are crucial and may spell victory for a senatorial candidate lagging behind the 12th slot, according to the Commission on Elections.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia also expressed hope that 88 percent of the over 57,000 qualified voters for LAV would cast their votes.

“That’s how critical the 57,000 (LAV votes) are. This can deliver the votes for somebody to ease into the 12th slot. Especially for the party-list, where every vote will count in order to attain a threshold,” Garcia pointed out.

Voting for those eligible for LAV began yesterday and will run until Wednesday.

Garcia said the Comelec is targeting an 88 percent voter turnout, the same level recorded in the 2022 elections.

While voter turnout is traditionally low during midterm polls, Garcia said they are hoping most of the LAV voters would be encouraged to participate because of the use of the automated election system (AES).

He said it’s the first time that the Comelec will use an AES for the LAV.

“Therefore, it will be easier for them to vote since they will just shade the ballots and no longer write the names of their candidates,” Garcia noted.

Voters in LAV will cast votes for 12 senators and one party-list organization, but not vote for local candidates in their respective areas.

Garcia said LAV will be part of the Random Manual Audit to ensure votes are counted correctly.

LAV for cops

The Philippine National Police on Monday officially started LAV for the 2025 elections at the PNP multi-purpose center at Camp Crame.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil personally led the activity by casting his vote ahead of the May 12 elections.

About 33,000 police officers across the country have applied for LAV, including 1,471 Crame-based personnel, according to the PNP.

Those availing themselves of LAV are preparing to be deployed on election duties nationwide. “We are not just enforcers of democracy, we are part of it,” Marbil said.

He said the PNP is fully prepared to secure the conduct of the elections, with personnel, mobility assets and logistical resources already in place.

Marbil reminded police to remain vigilant and professional amid potential threats to the elections’ credibility and safety.

LAV, which runs until April 30, allows soldiers, police, media workers and other government personnel on election duty to cast their votes ahead of election day.

PMA cadets cast their votes

Meanwhile in Baguio City, the local Comelec office conducted LAV for Philippine Military Academy cadets Monday.

City election supervisor John Paul Martin said more than 400 cadets are participating in the LAV at Fort Gregorio del Pilar.

Martin added that other PMA personnel are casting their votes.

The poll official also said they are supervising LAV for members of the Baguio City police on Tuesday at its headquarters on Abanao Street.

The Comelec said 57,689 voters were approved for advance voting procedures nationwide. This includes 29,030 Armed Forces personnel, 23,448 national police, 4,206 government employees and 1,005 members of media.

Martin said ballots for Baguio City, which has around 160,000 registered voters, will arrive on April 30. — Mark Ernest Villeza, Artemio Dumlao