Last batch of 7.5 million ballots delivered to NCR, says Comelec
The Commission on Elections begins shipment of ballots to be used by the National Capital Region for the May 2025 elections on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Photo from the Office of the Comelec Chairman)
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday delivered the shipment of the last batch of official ballots to be used by the National Capital Region (NCR) for the May 2025 elections.
According to Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia, around 7.5 million ballots will be distributed to the city or municipal treasurers.
“Ngayong araw na ‘to, sisimulan na natin ‘yung huling shipment, delivery ng mga balota. Sa NCR ito mangyayari,” Garcia told reporters in an interview at the National Printing Office in Quezon City.
(On this day, we will begin the last shipment—the delivery of ballots. This will happen in NCR.)
“Ibig sabihin, ‘yung ibang rehiyon ay na-distribute na natin. Nasa mga treasurer’s office na ng mga munisipyo at syudad,” he noted.
(It means that ballots for other regions have already been distributed. They are already in the offices of treasurers of municipalities and cities.)
READ: Comelec targets completed delivery of ballots, ACMs by April 30 – May 1
Garcia said the deployment of ballots in the NCR will be done in two batches.
The first batch on Tuesday will be in Caloocan, Marikina, Pasig, Valenzuela, Quezon City, Malabon, Navotas, and San Juan.
The second batch will be distributed on Wednesday to Muntinlupa, Pateros, Taguig, Manila, Makati, Pasay, Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, and Parañaque.
Garcia also invited political parties, candidates, interest groups, and citizens’ organizations to send representatives to monitor the shipment of ballots at the offices of local treasurers.
“Upang masaksihan natin kung saan nila, in the meantime or pansamantala, na ilalagak habang ito ay hindi pa kinukuha o dini-distribute sa mga electoral board [EB] members,” Garcia added.
(This is for them to witness, in the meantime, where the [ballots] will be stored while they are not yet distributed to the electoral board members.)
He said the distribution of ballots to the EB members will be done by Sunday (May 11) or on election day (May 12).
When asked if it will be a hassle for the EB members to receive the ballots early morning of the actual election day, Garcia said that the ballots are usually deployed a day before.
“Kapag sila dito ay nasa NCR, kalimitan, talagang madaling araw kinukuha yun dahil malalapit lang naman,” Garcia noted.
(If they [the ballots] are intended for NCR, usually, they are picked up at dawn because of the proximity.)
“Pero kalimitan talaga ay dine-deploy ng treasurer’s office at least isang araw bago mag-eleksyon,” he said.
(But ballots are usually deployed by the treasurer’s office at least one day before the election.)
He added that early delivery to EB members is allowed if the ballots come from far-flung areas.
Personnel from the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines will monitor and accompany the shipment.
READ: Comelec assures AES ‘can operate properly, securely, and accurately’
The Comelec began distributing official ballots to other regions last April 22.
Meanwhile, the final testing and sealing are set to conclude on Wednesday.
However, Garcia said that they allowed election officers in some areas to extend these procedures until Thursday.
During the final testing and sealing, teachers serving as EB members will test the automated counting machines and official ballots among 10 registered voters in every polling precinct.
These actions are meant to ensure, in front of everyone, that the machines are working properly.
