Workers make an inventory of printed ballots at the National Printing Office in Diliman, Quezon City on Wednesday (Jan. 15, 2025). The Commission on Elections announced on Saturday that it will comply with the Supreme Court’s latest temporary restraining orders involving local candidates. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Saturday that it has complied with the latest temporary restraining orders (TROs) issued by the Supreme Court (SC) regarding local candidates for the May 12 elections.
In a statement, the Comelec said the names of Marie Grace David, Mary Dominique Oñate and Aldrin Sta. As reprinting begins next week, Ana will now be included in the official ballots.
David is running for vice mayor of Limay, Bataan; Oñate for mayor of Palompon, Leyte; and Sta. Ana for mayor of Bocaue, Bulacan.
“The Comelec deems as timely the issuance of the three TROs mentioned, as the Commission is currently implementing necessary changes in the Election Management System, Automated Election System (AES), Consolidated Canvassing System, and Online Voting and Counting System,” the statement read.
On Friday, the SC issued three more TROs, following an earlier directive involving five candidates. The directive required the Comelec to halt printing at the National Printing Office in Quezon City and dispose of six million ballots already printed since Jan. 6.
The TROs involve rulings on nuisance candidates, disqualifying two senatorial bets, and rejecting another bet’s Certificate of Candidacy.
Since then, Comelec has implemented contingency measures, including amending the candidate database and rescheduling the Trusted Build of the AES, which will take place on Jan. 20 at the Palacio del Gobernador main office in Intramuros, Manila.
On Jan. 21, new ballot templates will be generated and serialized at the Comelec warehouse at Laguna Technopark Annex in Biñan City.
Ballot production is expected to resume shortly thereafter.