The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is looking at 37 areas as possible hot spots for next year’s elections, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.
In a GMA Integrated News interview, Remulla said “We have 37 hot spots — 28 in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, there are hot spots in the 3rd and 4th District of Leyte, also in Central Luzon.”
“Generally, we don’t expect violent elections,” he added.
In September, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Rommel Marbil ordered police commanders to start identifying possible hot posts for the 2025 polls.
The PNP will also determine if additional personnel would be needed to deploy in certain areas this early in anticipation of possible election-related violence.
Incidents against elected and aspiring local officials have been reported in different parts of the country. One of the latest incidents was reported in Tantangan, South Cotabato where a former barangay chairman who has filed for candidacy for vice mayor in the 2025 midterm elections was shot dead on November 18.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) meanwhile said 300,000 individuals found to have multiple voter registrations are considered “flying voters” and would face charges should they cast their votes in the May 2025 midterm elections.
Poll chairperson George Garcia said around 300,000 voters were able to transfer their voter registration to another place, where they are not residents, through the use of a barangay residence certificate.
He also warned that the Comelec will file criminal and administrative cases against barangay chairpersons found to have erroneously issued barangay certificates that resulted in the influx of voter registration in some areas ahead of the 2025 May elections.
Garcia said voters who were issued questionable barangay certificates were an “upgraded” form of flying voters.
Upgraded in the sense that it was covered by a legitimate document in the form of barangay residence certificate to prove that the applicant is a resident of the area where he or she intends to vote," he explained.
The poll body observed an “unusual” increase in new registered voters recorded in several areas in the country, including Makati City and Cagayan de Oro.
“Last year, we delisted some 500,000 double and multiple registrants. By our assessment, 100,000 of them were deliberate (attempts). Registration of more than once for purposes of being a flying voter is considered as an election offense,” according to poll spokesman Rex Laudiangco.
An election offense case is punishable with one to six years imprisonment, removal of right to vote and disqualification to hold public office. The spokesman said the filing of charges should serve as a warning against those planning to apply for more than one registration.
