Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairperson George Erwin Garcia on Wednesday firmly ruled out any possibility of a “no-election” scenario in 2028, pushing back against claims made by Senator Imee Marcos regarding a purported conspiracy to suspend the upcoming national vote.
Senator Marcos had alleged that a hidden plot exists to cancel the elections to extend the term of her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
The poll body chief clarified that the constitutional mandate dictates a regular election cycle, leaving no room for arbitrary delays or extensions.
“‘No-el 2028’ will not happen. It’s a mandate of the Constitution to have an election in that year… no contingency for a ‘No-el’ because the election is certain to happen,” Garcia said in a message sent to ABS-CBN News.
Even though the country is still two years away from the next presidential polls, Garcia emphasized that the electoral body is already actively putting the necessary groundwork in place to ensure a smooth transition.
“Pinag-aaralan natin how to automate the 2028 elections, voter registration, promulgation of rules and guidelines, (We are studying how to automate the 2028 elections, voter registration, promulgation of rules and guidelines),” Garcia said.
The Palace has similarly brushed aside the senator’s claims. Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro previously categorized the allegations as nothing more than a strategic distraction from other national matters.
According to Castro, the President remains completely committed to upholding the rule of law and intends to fully abide by the constitutional limits governing his term of office, which concludes in 2028.