Happeningph Focus!*Chairman George Erwin Mojica Garcia: Upholding Electoral Integrity in the December 2025 Barangay and SK Election

 

By Grace Bondad Nicolas

As the December 1, 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) approach, Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman George Erwin Mojica Garcia remains steadfast in his mandate to ensure clean, credible, and inclusive polls. With nearly 42,000 barangays nationwide set to elect new grassroots leaders, Garcia’s leadership is at the forefront of preparing the country for one of its largest democratic exercises.

A Mandate of Continuity and Reform

Chairman Garcia, who assumed the top COMELEC post in 2022 and whose term runs until 2029, has been championing a strategic balance of reform, efficiency, and inclusivity. Despite calls from some lawmakers to postpone or reschedule the BSKE, Garcia has maintained COMELEC’s commitment to conduct the elections as mandated by the Supreme Court and current laws—unless Congress enacts otherwise.

“We will follow the law. Until it is amended, we are bound to proceed with the December 1, 2025 elections,” Garcia emphasized in recent public briefings.

Voter Registration: Making Every Voice Count

Central to the preparation is the nationwide voter registration period from July 1 to 11, 2025. With a particular focus on the youth, COMELEC expects over 1 million first-time voters, especially those aged 15 to 17 for the SK elections. In a bold move to curb fraud, Garcia ordered the removal of the barangay certificate requirement, which has often been misused to pad voter lists.

“This decision promotes inclusivity while protecting the sanctity of the voters’ list,” Garcia noted. “We want a registration process that’s accessible but secure.”

Fully Manual Voting: A Conscious Choice

Unlike national elections that employ automated systems, the BSKE will be fully manual, a choice that Garcia defends as practical and economical. Though COMELEC successfully piloted automated voting in Dasmariñas, Cavite in 2023, Garcia says the manual method is still preferred for barangay-level contests due to its simplicity and significantly lower costs.

“We are dealing with small electoral units where personal relationships play a big role. Voters prefer to write the names of people they know,” Garcia explained. “Automation is good, but for BSKE, manual voting ensures clarity and community trust.”

Prioritizing Marginalized Sectors

One of Garcia’s key reforms is early voting for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and heavily pregnant women. Polling centers will open at 4:00 a.m. on election day, with special accommodations for these sectors until 7:00 a.m., ensuring they can vote with ease and dignity.

“Accessibility is justice in action,” Garcia said. “We want no Filipino left behind in this democratic process.”

Budget, Honoraria, and Resource Gaps

COMELEC was granted an ₱11 billion budget for the 2025 BSKE—short of the agency’s initial request. While grateful, Garcia raised concerns about the non-payment of ₱2,000 honoraria for teachers and electoral board members, which had to be removed due to funding constraints. He has since appealed to the Office of the President for supplemental support.

“Our teachers will report as early as 4 a.m. to make elections happen. We must honor their service not just in words, but through fair compensation,” Garcia said.

Cracking Down on Premature Campaigning

A longtime advocate of electoral fairness, Garcia has warned potential candidates and incumbent officials about premature campaigning, use of government funds for propaganda, and vote buying. Once the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) begins, stricter enforcement will follow.

He has also called for legislation to criminalize nuisance candidacies, which burden the system and confuse voters. “Running for public office should be an act of service—not a joke or a tactic to manipulate the outcome,” he asserted.

Building Toward a Credible Election

Chairman Garcia’s leadership has been defined by proactive reforms—from online overseas voting pilots, to mall precinct simulations, and new vote-counting machine procurement for future elections. For the BSKE, his vision remains focused on community empowerment, transparency, and electoral integrity.

“We may not be electing senators or presidents in December, but barangay and SK leaders are the ones closest to the people,” Garcia stressed. “These elections must be honest, peaceful, and truly reflective of the people’s will.”

Looking Ahead

Despite proposals in Congress to either extend the term of barangay officials to four or six years or reschedule the BSKE to 2026 or 2029, Garcia affirms that COMELEC is moving full speed ahead. As of now, all systems are “go” for December 1.

In the words of the Chairman:
“Every election, no matter the scale, is a reflection of our democracy. It is our duty to safeguard it at every level.”

As the nation prepares for this vital democratic

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