Comelec finalizing preparations for Antipolo 2nd District special polls
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said it is wrapping up preparations for the special elections in the Second District of Antipolo City next month.
Comelec said nearby local government units and other government agencies helped a lot during their preparations, considering budget limitations.
“More or less, we are prepared for Antipolo. Right now, printing of ballots is ongoing. It will possibly be completed before this week ends and then, we will begin verification,” Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia told reporters in an interview,
The special election is scheduled to be held on March 14, following the death of then -Second District Representative Romeo Acop in December 2025.
While the Comelec initially posted seven candidates for the House Seat, Lorenzo Juan Sumulong announced on social media his decision to withdraw his candidacy.
The Comelec said it has yet to receive the withdrawal documents from the said candidate.
“This is not an automated election where the names are printed on the ballot. Therefore, voters write the names of the candidates themselves. So this has no effect on us whatsoever,” Garcia said when asked if Sumulong’s withdrawal would have any effect on the preparations.
The Comelec is operating on a working budget of around P70 to P75 million, lower than the P98 million it initially requested from the Department of Budget and Management.
Despite the budget limitations, Garcia assured that teachers’ honoraria will be prioritized using the Comelec’s savings.
To ensure the smooth conduct of the polls, teachers are being trained on manual counting, as many of them are used to automated elections. /gsg
