ILOILO City – As the dust settles after the May 12 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Region 6 is calling on all winning candidates to deliver on their campaign promises, emphasizing that fulfilling these commitments is vital to proving that democracy is truly working.
Comelec regional director Atty. Dennis Ausan congratulated the newly elected officials and reminded them that the 3.1 million voters across Western Visayas cast their ballots based on the candidates’ platforms and promises.
“How I wish they will live up to their promises during the campaign period so that our voters will see that indeed, democracy is really working on our part,” Ausan said.
Ausan emphasized that the legitimacy of electoral mandates hinges not only on clean and peaceful polls but also on the sincerity of public officials in translating their words into action.
The elected candidates are set to assume office by noontime of June 30, 2025.
Ausan also credited the region’s successful and peaceful elections to the cooperation of candidates, voters, poll workers, churches, volunteers, media, law enforcement, and other stakeholders who observed Comelec regulations from the start of the election period on January 12, 2025.
“Everybody can say that our elections were peaceful, orderly, and successful. While there were challenges, they were minor and were properly addressed,” Ausan noted.
In addition to the overall orderly conduct, Ausan highlighted the successful implementation of early voting and mall voting — two initiatives designed to enhance voter accessibility.
Some 261,000 individuals from vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities, availed of early voting from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.
Ausan said the positive feedback from the electorate indicates strong potential for continuing early voting in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in December 2025.
Meanwhile, a total of 8,249 voters cast their votes in four malls in Iloilo City — Robinsons Place City Proper (2,839 voters), Robinsons Place Jaro (1,588), SM City Iloilo (1,511), and Festive Walk Mall (2,761).
Ausan explained that mall voting was introduced to decongest traditional school-based polling centers and provide a more convenient voting experience.
“We expect this to continue. It was pilot tested before and now implemented nationwide with encouraging results,” he added./PN
