The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has kicked off early preparations for the 2028 national and local polls by releasing the draft Terms of Reference (TOR) for purchasing new automated counting machines (ACMs) to guarantee a transparent and seamless voting process.
COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia explained that publishing the draft TOR this early aims to reassure citizens that election timelines are being met openly, mirroring the strategy implemented before the 2025 elections.
As part of the procurement protocol, stakeholders will receive copies of the draft document and will have a two-week window to provide feedback and suggestions before it is finalized.
“Ayaw natin na pinagdududahan ang ating proseso. Ayaw natin na may tanong ang mga kababayan natin, lalo na mga stakeholders natin. Gusto natin as transparent as possible,” Garcia said.
Garcia stressed that political parties, election watchdogs, and various advocacy groups will be thoroughly consulted prior to greenlighting the final procurement terms, reiterating that openness is central to their operations.
“Lahat po ng proseso mula ngayon at mga susunod pa na mga proseso natin in relation to the national and local elections, will always be known by the public, will always have consultation,” he said.
Furthermore, the poll chief noted that these early steps confirm that preparations for the 2028 elections are officially moving forward, dispelling any political chatter regarding potential constitutional amendments that could disrupt the schedule.
“Talagang ito’y aming nagsusumigaw na announcement sa buong mundo, sa ating mga kababayan tuloy na tuloy po ang halalan sa 2028,” he said. “Hindi naman po magpapaka-effort, magpapakahirap si Komisyon kung wala naman palang eleksyon sa 2028.”
To boost efficiency and fix previous technical glitches, the commission is looking into acquiring upgraded voting machines. Garcia pointed out that reviewing the draft TOR early will help pinpoint technical and logistical hurdles ahead of time, such as vendor capacities and delivery schedules.
Despite ongoing political shifts, the poll body reaffirmed its commitment to its constitutional duty of delivering fair and trustworthy elections.
“We can always set aside. The Comelec can always innovate. Sabi nga namin, the COMELEC will always find ways,” he said.
Financing these preparations will require a substantial budget. COMELEC originally requested ₱25 billion from the Department of Budget and Management for 2027 election expenses, on top of its standard ₱6 billion annual operating budget.
However, following discussions, the agency slashed its proposal by roughly ₱6 billion by cutting non-essential expenditures.
Garcia concluded that these budget cuts show the commission’s effort to balance election readiness with national fiscal priorities while keeping the 2028 timeline securely on track.