Engr. Pancito serves as resource speaker in Materials Testing Technology 2025

PRESS RELEASE
May 16, 2025

CATBALOGAN CITY – Engr. Alan P. Pancito, Jr., Head of the Quality Implementation Unit under the Quality Assurance Section, was officially appointed by the Regional Director of the Regional Office to serve as one of the in-house resource speakers for the Materials Testing Technology 2025 training on May 13, 2025. His appointment reflects the Regional Office’s recognition of his technical expertise, leadership, and commitment to promoting quality assurance in infrastructure development.

Among the various District Engineering Offices of DPWH Region VIII, Engr. Pancito was one of only two representatives selected as resource speakers, with the rest coming exclusively from the Regional Office. As part of his role, Engr. Pancito was assigned to deliver lectures and provide in-depth technical discussions on Concrete, focusing on both Paving and Structural Concrete. His session aimed to enhance the knowledge and competencies of field engineers and laboratory personnel, ensuring that they are updated with current standards, practices, and innovations in materials testing and quality control.

During the session, Engr. Pancito presented key concepts including the selection of materials, mix proportioning, workability, durability, field implementation strategies, procedures of molding, curing, testing of the samples and presenting the alternative way of acceptance of concrete. He also shared practical experiences, which enriched the learning of the participants and encouraged engagement and discussion.

His participation made a substantial contribution to the success of the Materials Testing Technology 2025 program, particularly in advancing the goals of consistency, accuracy, and integrity in materials testing throughout the region.

NAMFREL releases preliminary assessment of the 2025 National and Local Elections

By NAMFREL
May 16, 2025

QUEZON CITY – NAMFREL wishes to congratulate the Filipino people for again turning out in droves to vote on election day and making their voices heard through their votes. NAMFREL also expresses its deep appreciation for all its Bantay ng Bayan volunteers nationwide for following all processes of election day and helping ensure that Philippine elections are free, fair, and transparent.

As NAMFREL continues to receive observations from its volunteers deployed nationwide, NAMFREL is able to see a clearer picture of the conduct of election day processes.

NAMFREL reiterates its initial assessment on election morning that in general, the 2025 national and local elections were peaceful and orderly. However, NAMFREL has also noted that in some parts of the country, election day was marred by violence and other public disturbances that caused disruption and delay in the conduct of election day processes in said areas. Election day also saw issues related to the automated counting machines (ACMs), and to physical arrangements in voting centers usually expected because of high voter turnouts, that brought about inconvenience to many voters.

Violence and other disturbances to peace and order

NAMFREL condemns the incidents of violence reported and verified by NAMFREL observers that took place in several municipalities of Lanao del Sur, as well as in SIlay, Negros Occidental and in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. NAMFREL is also following other incidents reported in the media but have not been verified by our volunteers. Violence has no place in a democratic society. NAMFREL encourages authorities to thoroughly investigate these incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice.

NAMFREL is part of the Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC) for BARMM and Sulu, a collaborative initiative led by several organizations including NAMFREL, the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), Notre Dame University (NDU), Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation (NDBC), Climate Conflict Action, Coalition for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT), and PPCRV Cotabato City. Based in NDU in Cotabato City, the IEMC aims to uphold electoral integrity by tracking election-related incidents, conducting real-time results reporting, and facilitating engagement with stakeholders such as COMELEC, security agencies, and the media. The IEMC has been releasing reports since before election day. The Center will further intensify its partnerships and activities as the Bangsamoro region gets closer to the 2025 BARMM Parliamentary Elections scheduled for October.

Automated counting machines (ACMs)

NAMFREL continues to receive election day reports about the automated counting machines (ACMs) not performing as expected, observed in a number of polling places across the country. NAMFREL observers, however, have emphasized that most of the reported incidents involving the ACMs were immediately resolved. Some of the most common observations related ACMs were the following:

• Ballots not being accepted because scanners were not clean; ACM lens needed to be wiped, which took up to 20 minutes in some cases

• Ballots not being accepted at first try, but fixed by re-inserting the ballots

• Ballot paper jam due to ballot tear or crease

• Voter-verified paper audit trail paper jam

• ACMs slowing down, attributed to overheating

There were reports of voters complaining that their VVPAT indicated an overvote for a position and thus invalidating the vote, while voter insisted that they did not overvote..

Polling place and voting center woes

Apart from issues concerning ACMs, a common observation made by NAMFREL observers inside polling places was the lack of vote secrecy, some due to members of the electoral boards (EBs) inserting the filled out ballots instead of the voters. There was also a lack of ballot secrecy folders according to observers, or voters unable to fill out their ballots immediately because people lining up to insert their ballots in the ACM still had the folders with them.

Usual problems associated with high turnout of voters were again observed in the 2025 NLE, including overcrowding, long queues, and lack of seating including for members of vulnerable sectors. Many voters spent a considerable amount of time trying to find their names on the voter lists, trying to know their precinct numbers, and trying to locate their polling places.

NAMFREL observers consider the presence of Voter Assistance Desks (VADs), onsite volunteers providing assistance especially to members of vulnerable sectors, and the decision to have early voting hours, as bright spots in the 2025 NLE.

Election results

After the close of polls, issues arose that NAMFREL found alarming.

1. There was delay in the reception of election returns through the COMELEC-provided and -assigned servers for stakeholders’ use, one each for NAMFREL, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), Media, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats Party (Dominant Majority Party), and the Nacionalista Party (Dominant Minority Party).

The expectation set during COMELEC briefings was that stakeholders will receive electronically transmitted election returns shortly after the close of polls and in 15-minute intervals after receipt of the first transmission. This expectation was not met.

Stakeholders received empty results packages between the close of polls and 8:56pm, the time when the first results package that contained 30% of the expected election returns was received.

In explaining the possible cause of delay, COMELEC said that receipts of ER transmission require time to process. Except for the 2016 "ñ" issue and the 2019 7-hour glitch, receipt of results packages in previous elections was timely and uneventful.

NAMFREL believes that there is an underlying issue that may have caused the delay in the receipt of results packages. We ask the COMELEC to determine and explain the cause of delay.

2. The reported double recording of election returns and the subsequent adjustments made to the aggregated unofficial and partial results.

The COMELEC explained that the first set of election returns received were packed into a results package and delivered to the stakeholders’ assigned servers. The next set of election returns received were similarly packed into a results package together with the previously received election returns. The subsequent election returns received were similarly packed in the same compounding manner.

NAMFREL is aware of the manner of packing the election returns into results packages and its program is able to detect the changes between results packages and thus avoid such double entry. Other stakeholders are similarly aware of the manner of packing the election returns into results packages.

3. Intermediary Process? In explaining the delay in reception and double recording of election returns, the COMELEC mentioned that the election returns had to be processed. In past elections where the AES was used, ERs had to undergo the same process of decrypting each election return, converting the election return into CSV format, packing the election returns into results packages, and delivering the results package to each server.

NAMFREL requests the COMELEC to clarify the following points:

• If the ACM transmits directly to each COMELEC-provided server assigned to each stakeholder, is the intermediary process done in each server? If not, where is it done? If it is, was the source code of the process reviewed?

• If the ACM transmits directly to each COMELEC-provided server, the server could have received single ER transmissions.

• Packing the ERs into results packages is unnecessary and simply allows the stakeholders to decrypt each ER received by providing the stakeholders the password for decryption.

NAMFREL has previously recommended that the ER format to be transmitted electronically be in election markup language. This format does not need to be converted into CSV.

NAMFREL Operation QR Count 2025 (OQC 2025)

NAMFREL launched the NAMFREL Operation QR Count 2025 or OQC 2025 to enable everyone, not just NAMFREL volunteers, to help independently verify transmitted election results by scanning the QR codes of election results printed prior to transmission, on the election returns posted outside polling places, and on the voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT). NAMFREL released two apps for the 2025 NLE. The first is the ER QR code scanning app which was made available to the public, and a VVPAT scanning app made available to select NAMFREL volunteers.

There were a total of 4,312 downloads for the public app. There were 668,671 ER QR codes scanned which represented 2,787 distinct precincts nationwide. Transmission came from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. NAMFREL is in the process of comparing each and every QR code with the electronically transmitted results.

For VVPAT scanning, COMELEC allowed NAMFREL to do so in 10 clustered precincts in each of the following regional groupings -- Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, NCR, Visayas, Mindanao, and BARMM -- for a total of 60 clustered precincts. From the target 60 precincts, NAMFREL received VVPAT data from 52 precincts, for a total of 49,432 QR codes scanned. NAMFREL is still in the process of auditing and comparing them with the ERs from the selected precincts.

Reports of technical difficulties were sent to the NAMFREL systems team, majority of which is the challenge in transmitting the data scanned. This is mostly attributed to the server capacity which eased out after peak use. There were also reports of the apps not able to scan QR codes. This can be attributed to several factors including the camera of the phone, lighting, and process of scanning. All recommendations and complaints are collated and will be used for future versions of the apps.

In summary, despite the short period between election day and the announcement of the public app, and getting approval from COMELEC for VVPAT scanning, NAMFREL was able to encourage public participation, perform the tasks and achieved the objective of having an independent verifiable data source and data path. With time and budget constraints, the system was able to set a framework for a much larger operation that can effectively pave the way for a precinct level audit done within Election Day.

Election Data Analytics: NAMFREL-APC-Geodata Collaboration for the 2025 NLE

In pursuit of promoting transparency and data-driven engagement in the 2025 Philippine midterm elections, NAMFREL has partnered with Asia Pacific College (APC) and Geodata Systems Technologies, Inc. to establish a collaborative election data analytics initiative, designed to enhance public understanding of election outcomes, monitor transmission anomalies, and identify trends in voting behavior through an integrated system of data aggregation, processing, and presentation.

An Election Analytics Dashboard was developed and hosted at the APC, which committed to aggregate and analyze election data – particularly electronically transmitted election returns provided by NAMFREL. Student analysts, under faculty supervision, are tasked with processing raw election data to identify irregularities, create visualizations, and present summaries accessible to the public and stakeholders.

Meanwhile, Geodata Systems contributes critical geospatial and technical expertise. Its role focuses on the secure handling, transformation, and mapping of election-related data, including precinct-level information, election returns from 2022 and 2025, and projection modeling for analytics. By aligning the datasets spatially and demographically, Geodata supports deeper insights into voter turnout, regional variances, and possible data discrepancies.

Preliminary analysis of data from the initial hours following the close of polls revealed the issues that were earlier discussed in this report, notably a significant delay in the transmission of results to the servers assigned to NAMFREL (and to other stakeholders as it turned out), and the aggregated results reflecting signs of double recording, likely due to the compounding manner in which results packages were prepared and delivered.

The NAMFREL-APC-Geodata collaboration marks a significant step toward institutionalizing evidence-based election monitoring and promoting digital accountability. By mobilizing academic talent, leveraging private-sector analytics capabilities, and sustaining civic vigilance, the partnership not only enhances the credibility of the 2025 elections but also sets a precedent for how future electoral exercises can be safeguarded through innovation and collaboration.

Random Manual Audit (RMA)

NAMFREL is a member of the Coalition of Civil Society and Professional Organizations (CSPOs) in the Random Manual Audit Committee (RMAC). The RMAC also includes the Commission on Elections and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The CSPOs are led by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), with the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), and the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) as the other members.

Ballot boxes from 762 clustered precincts in 254 legislative districts have been randomly selected on election day using a software developed by PSA.

The Random Manual Audit (RMA) commenced on May 14, 2025 with the receipt of ballot boxes at the Citadines Bay City Manila, the central venue of the RMA.

NAMFREL will be submitting a final report to the COMELEC on the findings of its observation, identifying areas that could be further strengthened, and recommending measures to help ensure the conduct of more efficient and transparent electoral exercises.

Philippine Army contributes to Global Congress on Chemical Security

By OACPA
May 13, 2025

FORT BONIFACIO – The Philippine Army participated in the INTERPOL-led 2025 Global Congress Plenary Meeting on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats at Amman, Jordan on May 5 to 8, 2025.

Maj. Leonora D. Linga, Chief of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Branch, Office of the Army Chief Ordnance and Chemical Services, represented the Army, highlighting its role in CBRN defense. With the theme “Chemical Security in an Evolving World,” the event gathered experts from 102 countries to address chemical threats, regulatory challenges, and the risks associated with dual-use materials.

Maj. Linga, in her discussion presented “Bridging Military and Industry in Chemical Security: The Military’s Role in Policy Development and Public-Private Partnerships," emphasizing the Army’s role in national policy formulation and in shaping legislation, such as the recently enacted Chemical Weapons Prohibition Act on April 15, 2025 and in strengthening joint protocols with industry and enforcement agencies. “Chemical security is never the burden of one sector alone. Even the most complex chemical threats become manageable with good teamwork among the military, industry, and national and international stakeholders. Security is not about fear, it is about shared responsibility,” Maj. Linga remarked.

The Philippine Army remains steadfast in advancing proactive, collaborative, and intelligence-driven chemical security, upholding its commitment to national defense, global peace, and resilience.

Election violence, vote-buying evident two days before PH polls – observers warn

By ICHRP
May 10, 2025

QUEZON CITY – With just two days before Filipinos head to the polls, the rights group led International Observer Mission (IOM) has raised alarm over a troubling surge in vote-buying and election-related violence. “We’re gravely concerned about the reported number of red-tagging, vote-buying and especially killings,” said IOM Commissioner Colleen Moore.

The IOM, consisting of commissioners and international observers, has been monitoring the situation closely since the campaign period began. They have been deployed to key election hotspots across the three major islands of the country to monitor the election landscape. Notably, several reported violations have been directly witnessed and documented by IOM observers stationed in various regions throughout the country.

It’s the second time that the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP), a rights group, is holding its IOM in the country.

“Our mission is ongoing, but what we have observed so far is deeply concerning,” said Commissioner Moore, Director of Peace with Justice at the General Board of Church and Society, the social justice agency of the United Methodist Church, based in Washington DC. “The red-tagging of candidates, widespread vote-buying, and political killings are serious violations that threaten the integrity of the electoral process and the safety of our communities.”

While the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has acknowledged receiving at least 158 complaints related to vote-buying, the IOM’s ground teams have independently recorded 18 more vote-buying incidents in known election hotspots.

These cases, observed by teams in the field, show payments ranging from P150 to as much as P5,000 per voter, with most violations traced to entrenched political dynasties. IOM observers have independently confirmed the widespread use of cash and goods in exchange for votes, especially in rural and high-poverty areas.

577 red-tagging cases: Candidates, supporters under attack

So far, the IOM and Vote Report PH have documented 577 cases of red-tagging, with multiple cases directly observed across all three major island groups. Victims include candidates along with their campaign staff, local organizers, and supporters. Observers report a flood of red-tagging materials: flyers, leaflets, and posters falsely linking individuals and groups to the armed insurgency are being distributed in communities and plastered on walls near campaign venues. IOM field teams noted that progressive candidates, party-list groups, poll workers, and even the COMELEC itself have become targets.

“This level of systematic red-tagging is not only a violation of human rights, it’s a coordinated effort to intimidate and discredit democratic actors,” said Commissioner Moore. “It’s an attack on the very idea of free and fair elections.”

In addition, the mission has also documented 48 cases of threats, harassment, and intimidation in areas including Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Northern Mindanao.

Political violence has escalated dramatically in recent weeks. From January 12 to April 28, the Philippine authorities recorded 62 incidents of election-related violence, 35 of which were confirmed to be politically motivated. IOM observers in the Cordillera Adminstrative Region (located in the north-central part of Luzon island), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and Region IV-A (located east and south of Metro Manila) noted alarming trends of armed intimidation and even killings.

Among the most disturbing cases monitored:

- April 10: Mayoral candidate Kerwin Espinosa was shot during a campaign sortie in Albuera, Leyte. He has accused the police of orchestrating the attack.

- March 26: Municipal election officer Bai Maceda Lidasan-Abo and her husband were ambushed and killed in Maguindanao del Norte.

- April 23: Rizal, Cagayan Mayor Joel Ruma was shot dead at a campaign rally.

- April 29: Veteran journalist and ex-Kalibo Mayor Johnny Dayang was gunned down in his home, sparking fears of intensifying attacks on independent media.

Even the COMELEC has not been spared. On February 20, COMELEC Chair George Garcia revealed that another government agency had red-tagged the poll body itself for issuing resolutions banning discriminatory campaign tactics.

The IOM stressed that with two full days left before election day, the situation remains fluid and the risks are growing. The mission is actively expanding its presence on the ground and will continue to closely monitor unfolding events.

“Our work is far from over,” said Commissioner Moore. “We are committed to accompanying the Filipino people through these final, critical days and beyond to ensure that the true situation is documented and that accountability is pursued.”

The IOM will release a statement of the initial findings shortly after election day, identifying patterns of concern. A comprehensive final report containing full analysis and concrete recommendations will be made public and presented to international human rights institutions, relevant United Nations bodies, foreign embassies and parliaments, civil society, and media community.

“We know the stakes are high. But so is the determination of those committed to democracy,” says the IOM in a statement. “We will keep watching, documenting, and doing our work in support of the Filipinos in this election.”

8ID’s Task Force HOPE - Eastern Visayas deploys additional troops for secure and peaceful 2025 midterm elections

By DPAO, 8ID PA
May 6, 2025

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – The 8th Infantry “Stormtroopers” Division, Philippine Army, through its Task Force HOPE–Eastern Visayas, has deployed additional troops across the region to help ensure peaceful and orderly elections on May 12, 2025.

During a send-off ceremony on Sunday, May 4, at the 8ID Grandstand, 86 additional personnel were dispatched, bringing the total number of troops deployed in Eastern Visayas to 2,821 in preparation for the national and local elections.

Task Force HOPE–Eastern Visayas Commander Col. Arlino Sendaydiego said the deployment is part of the Philippine Army’s support to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in ensuring an honest, orderly, and peaceful electoral process.

“The troops will be stationed in strategic areas, particularly those affected by the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG). Their mandate is to provide a secure environment for voters, candidates, and election officials,” Col. Sendaydiego said.

He added that Task Force HOPE, in coordination with partner law enforcement agencies, is also monitoring for the presence of private armed groups that may be organized to commit acts of terrorism or to intimidate voters.

Meanwhile, 8ID Commander Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio emphasized that while troops are deployed for election duties, internal security operations will continue without disruption.

“We remain focused on our primary mission – to finally eradicate the remaining Communist Terrorist Group. Our responsibilities in both internal and external security operations remain a top priority,” Maj. Gen. Orio said.

Further, he reminded all troops to be non-partisan and apolitical at all times and just exercise their mandate under the Constitution to secure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the elections.

PSA Leyte Showcases National ID Services at 123rd Labor Day Celebration in Tacloban City

By PSA-8
May 5, 2025

TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority - Leyte Provincial Statistical Office (PSA Leyte) actively participated in the 123rd Labor Day Celebration held on May 1, 2025, at the Tacloban City Convention Center. The event, organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region VIII, brought together various government agencies and stakeholders to honor the Filipino workforce.

As part of its commitment to bringing government services closer to the people, PSA Leyte, along with PSA RSSO 8, set up an information/service booth to promote the National Identification System with its ongoing National ID registration campaign and civil registration service. The booth provided attendees with information on the benefits of the National ID, registration procedures, change/correction of demographic information, issuance of National ID in Paper Form, assistance in the generation of the Digital National ID, and the importance of having a unified and reliable identification system.

In addition to information dissemination, PSA Leyte also facilitated on-site registration for the National ID, allowing attendees to conveniently enroll in the system during the event. This initiative is part of PSA Leyte's ongoing efforts to accelerate province-wide registration progress and ensure that every Filipino has access to their National ID.

Moreover, PSA RSSO 8 also facilitated SECPA (Security Paper) requests for birth, marriage, and death certificates, enabling attendees to process and obtain these essential documents directly at the venue. This Civil Registration initiative provided a convenient option for workers and their families, eliminating the need to visit PSA offices for document requests.

During the event, PSA Leyte successfully served a total of 36 clients for National ID registration – 12 from Tacloban City and 24 from outside Tacloban. In addition, 12 paper-printed National IDs were issued onsite. Five clients availed of the National ID updating services, which include correction of demographic information and contact details. Meanwhile, the Civil Registration team of RSSO 8 processed 22 SECPA (Security Paper) requests for vital documents such as birth, marriage, and death certificates.

The Labor Day celebration provided an excellent platform for PSA Leyte to engage with the community, address inquiries, and encourage more residents to participate in the National ID registration. The agency remains dedicated to promoting inclusivity and convenience in the registration process, aligning with the government's goal of creating a fully digitized identification system that enhances public service delivery and socio-economic development.

The PSA encourages the public to continue availing themselves of National ID services to enjoy the benefits of a standardized and secure national identification system.

Philippine Army, U.S. Army troops conduct Balikatan helocast training

By OACPA
April 29, 2025

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – Philippine Army soldiers from the 5th and 7th Infantry Divisions joined forces U.S. Army Pacific's 25th Infantry Division troops for Exercise Balikatan's helocast training in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on April 27, 2025.

The training, conducted under the guidance of the 25th Infantry Division's Lightning Academy Mobile Training Team, focused on helocasting, a specialized airborne technique that allows small military units to rapidly insert troops into maritime environments. The exercise featured U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters which transported the partipating troops to designated maritime insertion points.

Helocasting is considered a critical skill for both forces operating in the archipelagic landscape of the Philippines where rapid deployment across bodies of water can be essential for military operations.

Exercise Balikatan, which means "shoulder-to-shoulder" in Filipino, represents one of the longest-standing bilateal military exercises between the Philippines and the United States. The 40th iteration of Balikatan, which will wrap up on May 9, 2025, aims to strengthen the alliance between the two nations while bolstering combined and joint force capabilities and demonstrating shared commitment to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

CARD MRI breaks ground for new Medical Center

By EDRIAN B. BANANIA
April 29, 2025

SAN PABLO CITY – CARD MRI held a groundbreaking ceremony for the CARD-PCPD Medical Center, Inc., on April 10, 2025, in Barangay San Antonio I, San Pablo City, Laguna.

The medical center, a joint initiative of CARD MRI and the Philippine Center for Population and Development (PCPD), aims to provide inclusive, affordable, and quality healthcare services to CARD clients and the general public. It will offer outpatient department (OPD) services, including sustainable and accessible clinical and diagnostic care.

“This milestone affirms our commitment to making healthcare a right, not a privilege,” said CARD MRI Founder and Chair Emeritus Dr. Aristotle B. Alip. "True development is not measured solely by economic gains, but by the health and well-being of every Filipino.”

According to Dr. Alip, in addition to the CARD-PCPD Medical Center, CARD MRI plans to establish housing, a bank branch or unit, a CMDI facility, and other essential services to maximize the land's potential fully. The goal is to create a one-stop hub where communities can easily access services that will help improve their quality of life.

CARD MRI Founder and Chair Emeritus Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip and other CARD MRI Executives, including CMDI President Dr. Edzel A. Ramos, CMIT President Mr. Edgar Cauyan, MLNI President Mr. Aristopher Punzalan, CMPMI President Ms. Maida Decano, and CARD Clinics & Allied Services President Dr. Roderick Belen, attended the ceremony. Also present were CARD MRI Senior Advisers, namely, Dr. Dolores M. Torres, Ms. Aniceta R. Alip, Dr. Flordeliza M. Sarmiento, Ms. Elma Valenzuela, Dr. Lorenza Bañez, Ms. Mary Grace Contreras, and Ms. Cynthia Baldeo, as well as other CARD MRI staff and clients. Barangay San Antonio I officials, headed by Barangay Chairman Rex Banaag, also graced the event.