TACLOBAN CITY – As the May 12 midterm elections approaches, Catholic and civil society groups are calling for clean, peaceful, and credible polls, raising concerns over possible power outages that may affect the electoral process.
“The 2025 midterm election presents an opportunity to elect leaders who will address the country’s pressing crises,” said Caritas Philippines, the socio-civic arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. “But the integrity of the process is threatened by recurring power interruptions, especially during summer.”
In response, groups like Caritas, Power for People Coalition, Lente, and the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition launched the watchdog campaign “Kontra Brownout, Iwas Daya!” to push for stable power supply during the elections.
In Eastern Visayas, police authorities have deployed over 870 personnel to ensure order and safety in key areas, with checkpoints and fixed control points established in Leyte towns. Police Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jay Cumigad urged public vigilance, saying “safeguarding democracy is a shared duty.”
Nationwide, the Philippine National Police has set up over 6,300 checkpoints and identified 34 election hotspots, mostly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Youth group SPARK also called for elections free from violence and discrimination. “The electoral space should focus on platforms, not hate or sexist remarks,” said SPARK deputy spokesperson Althea Mateo.
The Commission on Human Rights echoed these calls, citing a rise in red-tagging and offensive campaign rhetoric. The Comelec has since activated Task Force SAFE to crack down on harassment and uphold laws protecting women and marginalized groups.
(RONALD O. REYES)
