COMELEC Surigao Sur debunks disinformation, vows transparent 2025 elections
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- In the face of recent social media disinformation, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Surigao del Sur reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and credibility in the 2025 electoral process by opening its storage hubs to the public and refuting claims of unauthorized storage of election paraphernalia.
COMELEC Provincial Election Supervisor Riza Ann Donalyn B. Culima-Constantino clarified that all election materials, including Starlink satellite transmission devices and solar panels, are securely and temporarily housed only in two official locations namely, the Municipal Crisis Intervention Center in Hinatuan and at the Office of the Election Officer, Old Tandag Town Hall in Tandag City.
“These hubs served as temporary safekeeping sites for devices before installation. Installation began on April 14, 2025, at official canvassing venues and designated schools across the province,” said Culima-Constantino. She emphasized that these are not permanent warehouses, and their use is fully transparent.
In response to a viral Facebook post alleging that election paraphernalia were stored at the residence of a congressional representative in the province in Barangay Telaje, Tandag City, the Provincial Election Office debunked the claim as completely false. The circulating photo was found to be recycled and edited. Further validation revealed that the image used came from a post made by Surigao del Sur Ngayon that was previously featured by RPN DYKC Cebu in an unrelated case in Buhangin, Davao City.
The COMELEC also assured the public, media, and civil society groups that they are welcome to observe the arrival and checking of the automated counting machines (AMCs), official ballots, and other election equipment. These transparency measures, COMELEC emphasized, are designed to foster public trust and dispel misinformation.
As COMELEC partners with the Philippine National Police - Cybercrime Group to identify those behind the disinformation campaign, Culima-Constantino called on the public to remain vigilant and verify information only through official sources.
The provincial office of COMELEC emphasized its mission to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, and it remains firm in conducting fair, honest, and peaceful elections in Surigao del Sur. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)
