The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday debunked circulating social media claims that the May 12 midterm elections have been rescheduled to May 10 due to extreme heat.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia clarified in an interview that no changes have been made to the official election date. “Fake news again, saying the election is being postponed from May 12 [and] will be held on May 10 because of the extreme heat,” he said.
The misleading infographic falsely attributed to a “Comelec official” claims the election was moved based on high temperature forecasts from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Garcia stressed that the elections will proceed nationwide as scheduled. “Nothing can stop the holding of the May 12 elections. The election will be conducted in all precincts throughout the Philippines on May 12,” he said.
He warned that the spread of misinformation appears to be an attempt to confuse the public, suppress voter turnout, and undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
In response to the scheduled voting day falling on a weekday, Garcia confirmed that Comelec has requested President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to declare May 12 a holiday to allow Filipinos to vote more easily.