The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced plans to file criminal and administrative cases against barangay chairpersons accused of improperly issuing barangay certificates. This move follows reports of a surge in voter registrations ahead of the 2025 elections, with irregularities noted in areas like Makati and Cagayan de Oro.
Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia highlighted an “unusual” rise in new voter registrations, particularly in Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro, where voter numbers jumped 44.41% from October 2023 to November 2024. Of the 24,619 new registrants, 8,218 relied on barangay certificates for proof of residence.
Key Findings:
- In Makati, 4,308 voters applied for transfers to the 1st district, with 3,596 presenting barangay certificates.
- In Cagayan de Oro’s 2nd district, 14,954 voters transferred, with 13,918 using barangay certifications.
Garcia criticized barangay officials for issuing certificates without proper verification, calling it a “threat to the credibility of the upcoming elections.”
Legal Actions Underway
The Comelec Law Department is conducting a preliminary investigation and plans to subpoena barangay officials from Makati and Cagayan de Oro. If found guilty, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) could suspend or dismiss those involved.
On Wednesday, Comelec filed a disqualification case against Barangay Carmen Chairperson Raineir Joaquin Velez Uy. Uy, who is running for Congress in 2025, was accused of fraudulently issuing over 8,000 barangay certificates to non-residents to boost his electoral advantage. Uy denied the allegations, asserting that the voter surge reflected genuine public participation.
Broader Concerns
Lawmakers, including Cagayan de Oro Representative Lordan Suan, raised alarms about voter registration anomalies in other areas like Batangas and Nueva Ecija. In response, Comelec has formed a task force to investigate and counter fraudulent activities.
Garcia assured the public that Comelec remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of the elections. “We have to end this now to prevent it from affecting future polls,” he stated.