Comelec postpones activities amid state of national energy emergency

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has postponed several activities amid President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a national state of energy emergency as tensions in the Middle East persist. 

This is in line with a resolution the Comelec en banc released on Wednesday, which pertains to the recommendation made by Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia “which demonstrates sensitivity to the economic hardships and fuel price volatility currently affecting the Filipino people.”

The Comelec has adopted the recommendation to postpone the conduct of the Election Expo Convention and Conference, including the Asian Electoral Stakeholders Forum VII (AESF VII) and the Philippine Election Expo originally scheduled for April 21-23, 2026, and the National Goodwill Games originally scheduled for May 8-10, 2026. 

READ: Comelec to scout for 2028 polls technology providers in April

Comelec earlier explained that the expo is done to scout for the best technologies to be used in the 2028 elections. This is in line with its preparations for the upcoming national elections.

In a separate statement, the Comelec said that the poll body and the Asian Network for Free Elections will also be suspending preparatory activities leading up to the AESF-7. It noted that new dates for the event will be announced at a later date “taking into consideration both national conditions and the participation of regional stakeholders.”

“We want to express our solidarity with our fellow Filipinos. The Comelec, which ensures democracy, should not contribute to the suffering of everyone,” Garcia told reporters in an interview.

However, the Comelec clarified that activities directly related to the conduct and preparation of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections, and the 2028 national and local elections will be exempted from this policy. Also excluded from the postponement are the resolution of electoral controversies, activities in compliance with the provision of laws, rules, and regulations. 

Aside from this, the Comelec approved the creation of an Emergency Response Committee, “which shall study and recommend further energy-saving and cost-saving approaches to the Commission En Banc.” This will be chaired by the Deputy Executive Director for Operations, comprising the Finance Service Department, Planning, and the Administrative Services Department. /mr