MANILA, Philippines — Election watchdogs and civil society groups yesterday asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into alleged irregularities in the 2025 midterm elections.
The Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan and the Church Leaders Council for National Transformation claimed that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) committed system interference, used an intermediary server or a third data center to transmit results from clustered precincts to stakeholders and deleted five million votes.
They also alleged that the Comelec updated the software installed on the automated counting machines – an update that had not undergone a source code review.
Alex Lacson, a convener and former senatorial candidate, said the complaint is anchored on three “very disturbing signs” observed during the elections.
“We want to know if there is alteration, manipulation or cheating. That’s why we invited the NBI to investigate these claims to find out the truth,” Lacson said.
Lacson said they are challenging the conduct of the elections and not the results.
The election results for the senatorial race are being contested in the Supreme Court by the PDP-Laban, which cited the discovery of equipment such as Starlink transmission devices and solar panels at a private residence in Davao City.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body is ready to face investigation.
Garcia stressed that the 2025 elections were “orderly, honest, transparent and peaceful,” and the results “believable” as he cited observations from stakeholders that include the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections and the European Union.
He said the Comelec has strong evidence that would ensure that truth and factual information will prevail.
Meanwhile, Garcia said those intending to participate in the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections may register anywhere in Metro Manila.
Garcia said the Comelec would be pilot-testing a “register anywhere, anytime” program in selected hospitals, transport terminals, airports and other crowded places in the National Capital Region from Aug. 1 to 7. – Mayen Jaymalin