Comelec to focus on Negros Oriental in 2025 polls

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) would focus on Negros Oriental in next year’s midterm polls following the occurrence of election-related incidents in the province in previous years.

“That is why the Comelec regional office of Negros Island Region has been initially established in Dumaguete City, instead of Bacolod City in Negros Occidental as provided by law,” said Lionel Marco Castillano, NIR Comelec regional director.

Based on the resolution issued by the Comelec en banc, the NIR Comelec regional office would be “preferably in Dumaguete City,” he added.

Castillano said a satellite office would also be established in Bacolod and will be headed by Regional Election Attorney Cindy Ballesteros.

According to Castillano, he was ordered by Comelec Chairman George Garcia to give special attention to Negros Oriental because of peace and security concerns in previous elections.

Gov. Roel Ragay Degamo and nine others were killed in Pamplona town, Negros Oriental last year. The killing was linked to ousted congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr.