Comelec to Marcos: Make March 14 holiday in Antipolo for special polls

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is asking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare March 14, 2026 (Saturday) a non-working holiday in the second district of Antipolo City for the conduct of a special election.

The request comes following the death of Rep. Romeo Acop, according to Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia on Wednesday.

“Today, the Comelec en banc also passed a resolution asking the president to declare March 14 as a non-working holiday in the 2nd district of Antipolo City,” Garcia told reporters in an interview. 

READ: Comelec sets special poll in 2nd district of Antipolo City

Garcia earlier said that the Constitution requires the poll body to hold a special election should there be a vacancy in a congressional district.

He noted that the polls must be done 60 days after the post is vacated, and not later than 90 days.

Acop died in December 2025 at the age of 78. 

The poll body is appealing to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police to put under their control and supervision the second district of Antipolo City during the election period. 

Working on a limited budget

Comelec is working on a limited budget for the special election as it only has an allocation of P11 million for the political exercise under the 2026 General Appropriations Act.

“We also asked the Palace to help us in our request for the P98 million because we don’t have a budget,” Garcia said.

READ: Antipolo Rep. Acop, who ‘exposed’ Mary Grace Piattos, dies

Comelec had requested P98 million as it has to prepare for 300,000 voters in the second district of Antipolo City. Garcia also said that they also have to spend for voter education of the residents. 

The poll body is in talks with the National Printing Office for the printing of around 300,000 ballots.

Garcia earlier said the activity will be done manually, as this is the usual procedure for special elections. /apl