In just a few months, the Philippines will once again witness both local and national elections.
With over 18,000 positions up for grabs, the 2025 elections, scheduled for May 12, promise to be a major political event.
Voters will select candidates for a total of 18,271 national and local positions, ranging from senators to local officials.
For the Senate, which has 24 members, only 12 seats will be contested in this election.
Senators serve a six-year term and may run for re-election for a consecutive term.
On the local level, voters will elect 82 governors, 82 vice governors, 792 provincial board members, 149 mayors, 149 vice mayors, and 1,682 councilors.
Voter registration is currently ongoing and will close on September 30, 2024.
Candidates must file their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) and Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) between October 1 and October 8, 2024.
The tentative list of candidates will be released on October 29, with November 8 being the last day to request ballot corrections.
A key development in the 2025 elections is the approval of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in digital campaigns.
However, strict guidelines have been implemented to prevent misinformation and disinformation.
Candidates, political parties, and organizations utilizing AI must disclose their usage, verify the legitimacy of AI-generated accounts, and clearly state if content has been manipulated using AI technology.
The use of deepfakes is strictly prohibited, with Comelec considering additional restrictions.
Candidates and political parties using websites, podcasts, blogs, vlogs, and other online platforms for their digital campaigns must register these platforms with the Comelec’s Education and Information Department within 30 days after filing their COC.
The deadline for registration is set for December 30, 2024.
Further restrictions include a ban on unauthorized firearms, unapproved use of security personnel, and the suspension of elected officials without Comelec approval.
Local absentee voting will take place from April 28 to April 30, 2025. A liquor ban and campaign prohibition will be enforced the night before election day, starting on May 11.
The canvassing of results and the proclamation of winners for city and municipal officials will take place between May 12 and 15, 2025, while proclamations for senatorial, congressional, party-list, and provincial elections will occur between May 13 and 19, 2025.
