Senator Robin Padilla is calling for the prompt passage of a measure that creates a Hybrid Election System (HES). The proposed setup seeks to retain manual voting and hand counting at the precinct level while utilizing electronic transmission and canvassing to accelerate the consolidation of voting results.
Padilla highlighted the urgency of the Hybrid Election Act as the country begins its groundwork for the 2028 national elections.
He noted that the upcoming polls will serve as a crucial test to prove the resilience and credibility of Philippine democracy at a time when voting systems worldwide are facing heavy scrutiny.
“Habang papalapit ang halalan sa 2028, mas mahalaga kaysa kailanman na tiyakin nating may buong tiwala ang taumbayan sa proseso ng pagboto at pagbibilang ng boto,” Padilla said.
“Hindi sapat na tama ang resulta. Kailangan ding makita at maintindihan ng mamamayan kung paano nakarating sa resulta. Sa demokrasya, mahalaga ang katotohanan, ngunit mahalaga rin ang tiwala,” he added.
According to the legislator, while technological innovations have streamlined election management, they have simultaneously birthed new vulnerabilities.
These include cybersecurity breaches, system flaws, data leaks, artificial intelligence-driven disinformation, and a growing public distrust toward completely automated voting processes.
Padilla observed that since the Philippines transitioned to fully automated elections in 2010, the public has repeatedly questioned technical malfunctions, transmission failures, the transparency of vote counts, and the inability of everyday voters to independently confirm election outcomes.
His proposed framework bridges both methods: citizens will fill out their ballots manually, and the votes will be openly counted at local precincts in full view of political parties, accredited poll watchers, and the general public.
Once tabulated, the figures will be transmitted digitally to guarantee a swift canvassing process.
“Ang layunin ng panukalang ito ay simple: makita ng mamamayan ang pagbibilang ng kanilang boto habang napapanatili ang bilis ng makabagong teknolohiya,” he said.
“Kapag nakikita mismo ng tao ang proseso, nababawasan ang pagdududa at lumalakas ang tiwala sa resulta ng halalan,” he added.
Padilla stressed that these sweeping electoral reforms must be approved long before the election cycle peaks. This buffer will provide ample time for rigorous system testing, extensive public information drives, and institutional preparations.
Ultimately, he stated, the legislation aims to defend the integrity of every single Filipino vote and restore faith in the democratic process.