ILOILO City – The election period for the May 12, 2025 midterm national and local elections begins at midnight on Sunday, January 12, and will run until June 11, 2025. Alongside the start of this period, the Commission on Elections (Comelec), in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), will strictly enforce a gun ban.
The gun ban prohibits individuals from carrying firearms or deadly weapons outside their residences or places of business, as well as in public spaces, unless they have written authorization from the Comelec.
This restriction applies to public areas such as buildings, streets, parks, private vehicles, and public transport.
Key Provisions of the Gun Ban
According to Comelec Resolution No. 10918, the following are prohibited during the election period unless authorized by the Commission through its Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC):
* carrying firearms or deadly weapons in public places
* employing or availing of security personnel or bodyguards
* transporting firearms, ammunition, explosives, and their components
The Commission, through the CBFSC has the sole and exclusive authority to issue Certificates of Authority to be exempted from the prohibitions.
Comelec Region 6 director Atty. Dennis Ausan said the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) has developed plans to ensure the strict implementation of the gun ban, including the establishment of checkpoints in strategic locations such as entry and exit points of municipalities and cities, as well as along main highways.
“We remind not just the candidates but the general public to avoid prohibited acts during this period, especially with the gun ban starting at midnight on January 12 and lasting until June 11, 2025,” Ausan said.
Penalties for Violations
Violators of the gun ban face severe consequences, including:
* imprisonment from one to six years
* permanent disqualification from public office and loss of voting rights
* deportation for foreigners after serving their prison term
Exemptions
Certain officials are automatically exempted from the gun ban, including the President, Vice President, Chief Justice and all Justices of the Supreme Court, Senate President, House Speaker and all incumbent legislators (senators and congressmen).
Also exempt are Cabinet secretaries, undersecretaries, and assistant secretaries; all justices of the Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, and Court of Tax Appeals; the Ombudsman, Deputy Ombudsman, investigators and prosecutors of the Ombudsman; judges of regional, municipal, and metropolitan trial courts; the Prosecutor General, Chief State Prosecutor, state prosecutors, and prosecutors of the Department of Justice; officials and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation; Comelec officials and election officers (provincial election supervisors, and regional election directors).
Applications for exemptions must be submitted online via the Comelec website from Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding weekends and holidays.
Prohibited Personnel Transfers
The Comelec also prohibits the transfer or reassignment of government personnel during the election period without prior approval to ensure legality and validity.
Important Dates to Remember
* January 12 to June 11, 2025 – election period and gun ban
* Febuary 11 to May 10, 2025 – campaign period for senatorial and party-list candidates
* March 28 to May 10, 2025 – campaign period for local candidates
* April 13 to May 12, 2025 – overseas voting
* April 28 to 30, 2025 – local absentee voting
* May 11, 2025 – liquor ban
* May 12, 2025 – election day
* June 11, 2025 – deadline for filing Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE)
Strict compliance with the Comelec guidelines is expected as authorities aim to ensure a peaceful and orderly election process./PN
