Comelec eyes proclamation of Antipolo special polls winner on March 15

MANILA, Philippines — The winning candidate of the special elections in the second district of Antipolo City may be proclaimed on March 15, a day after the casting of votes, due to the nature of election procedure, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Wednesday. 

The special elections for the congressional position will be held on March 14, 2026 following the death of Rep. Romeo Acop in December 2025. The elections will be done manually, with six candidates vying for the position.

“Our prediction is that we will have the proclamation for the winning candidate the next date,” Garcia told reporters in an interview. 

READ: Comelec finalizing preparations for Antipolo 2nd District special polls

Garcia noted that as the voting precincts close at 3 p.m., the canvassing of votes may start around 5 p.m. and finish at 8 or 9 p.m. as the votes will be counted manually. He also said that documents will be prepared to be delivered to the provincial capital where the canvassing venue is located. 

“For example, as we have over 300 election returns because we have 348 voting precincts in the district, expect that candidates and their lawyers will contest every election return,” Garcia added. 

From the original seven certificates of candidacy received by the Comelec, incumbent councilor LJ Sumulong withdrew his candidacy, citing consultation efforts with his party Nationalist People’s Coalition and dialogue with Mayor Jun Ynares and Bong. Sumulong also shared that his dialogue with Ynares and Bong meant to respect the legacy of the older Acop. 

The current six candidates are: Acop, Bong; Cafirma, Maria Trinidad Galang; Infante, Dandin Yanos; Llaga, Reden Noble; Lobigas, Nathaniel Adao; and Tapales, Irvin Paulo Carillo. 

The Comelec earlier dismissed a circulating claim that Bong has been disqualified from the race after a resident filed a complaint due to alleged vote buying. The poll body noted that the Comelec en banc is yet to decide on the disqualification case against the candidate. 

Voter turnout

Garcia also shared that the poll body is expecting around 65-70% of voter turnout among the projected 280,000 registered votes in the second district. 

“We are aiming for 65-70%, as [March 14] is declared as a special non-working holiday in the second district of Antipolo and we can see the cooperation of the local government unit to encourage the residents to cast their votes,” Garcia said. 

He added that the special polls in Antipolo City will serve as their guide as they prepare for the conduct of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections to be held on November 2, 2026. 

Garcia also shared that the poll body will meet with the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and local Comelec officers to discuss more issues and monitor the delivery of election paraphernalia. He noted that the election materials will be given to the teachers who will serve as electoral board members as early as March 13 to avoid delays as they will be assigned in distant barangays. 

The poll body will open voting precincts for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women for the early voting period from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. Meanwhile, the regular voting window will run from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Garcia then reminded the candidates to observe proper campaigning such as compliance to the anti-discrimination resolution and avoiding vote-buying and vote-selling. /mr