MANILA – Malacañang has declared Monday, May 12, a special non-working holiday across the nation for the midterm national and local elections.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, acting on behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., signed Proclamation 878 on Tuesday to establish this nationwide holiday, facilitating the citizens’ opportunity to exercise their voting rights.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) requested for such a holiday to ensure that registered voters can participate in the electoral process.
Said Comelec commissioner George Garcia: “[Ito ay] para mabigyan ng pagkakataon ng sambayanang Pilipino, ang mga botante natin, na makaboto kahit na iisipin nila na hindi na makapasok sa araw na iyon, tutal naman declared holiday po siya.”
he added.
There are over 68.6 million registered voters for the midterm polls, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao parliamentary elections.
Voters will select senators, members of the House of Representatives, party-list representatives, and various local officials, including governors, vice governors, mayors, vice mayors, and local council members.
Voting hours will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with early voting available from 5 a.m. for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant voters./PN
