Comelec chief sees peaceful polls, but warns of vote-buying

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Saturday, May 10, expressed strong confidence in the Filipino electorate, and said that he sees a peaceful and orderly conduct of the mid-term polls on Monday, May 12.

- By DHEL NAZARIO

"I have high confidence in the Filipino people, in our voters, that they will vote and that our elections will be peaceful," he said in a radio interview over DZBB.

He likened the atmosphere at polling places to a fiesta, with long lines of people who are willing to endure the heat and wait patiently to cast their votes.

Garcia added that improvements in the election set-up and process will help ensure a quicker voting experience and a timely proclamation.

He also urged the public to trust in the official process and reject any circulating falsehoods, especially those spread through organized disinformation campaigns.

"Let’s just trust the system and process, and let’s not believe the lies that are being spread to us now, especially the organized misinformation, disinformation, and fake news," he added.

Last campaign day

On the final day of the campaign period on Saturday, May 10, Garcia reminded candidates and their supporters to cease campaigning at the end of the day, in accordance with the law, and to give voters time to reflect, decide, and pray about their choices.

In a separate interview, Garcia emphasized that the one-day ban on campaigning exists to give the public space to make informed and deliberate choices.