By The Makabayan Coalition
Makabayan stands with various advocacy groups and the Filipino people in condemning the fraud-tainted results of the 2025 elections and in fighting for transparency and accountability in the vote count. The foreign-owned and controlled automated election system once again failed to reflect the actual votes of the electorate and instead provided the basis for massive fraud and disenfranchisement.
We note the following incidents of systemic fraud:
1. The software updates for the automated counting machines that were not publicly disclosed point to questions in the integrity of the automated system;
2. Widespread incidence of “overvotes” with 3.3 million alleged “overvotes” in the partylist race and 1.3 million overvotes for the senatorial race are not just mere isolated incidents or minor errors but show massive disenfranchisement of voters by the questionable counting machines;
3. The double-count errors and sudden “correction” of the tally in the public servers raises questions on the integrity of the canvassed votes;
4. The persistence of red-tagging and repression against progressive candidates shows state-sponsored election fraud done on a nationwide scale; and
5. The proliferation of political dynasties and vested interests including fake partylist groups engaged in vote-buying, election overspending and flaunting of election laws point to the fact that the elections are anything but clean and honest
Given these alarming incidents, Makabayan will continue to question the election results and fight for transparency and accountability in the 2025 polls.
To this end, we call for the following:
1. An audit and manual counting of so-called “overvotes” as there were widespread reports on election day that the machines registered as “overvotes” many valid votes for partylist and senators. The magnitude of the “overvotes” shows us that the machines cannot be relied on to accurately count votes. The Comelec has not provided any clear explanation as to why valid votes were being counted as “overvotes.” The valid votes that were read as “overvotes” should be properly counted and reflected in the results.
2. An audit of the software used for the automated counting machines and canvassing servers and other third-party actors involved in the transmission of votes to the canvassing servers.
3. An audit of the so-called double-counting and “corrections” made by the Comelec and the service provider during the initial tally of votes.
4. The resolution of the multiple complaints against red-tagging and political repression during the campaign period and holding accountable the perpetrators, especially those belonging to government.
5. The resolution of complaints regarding vote-buying and an inquiry into the massive overspending committed by senatorial candidates as well as the resolution of cases involving fake partylist groups such as Duterte Youth.
6. The junking of the automated election system and a shift to a hybrid system that allows for the manual counting of votes at the precinct level while allowing the use of electronic means for canvassing
The fight is not over by any means and we will pursue all available avenues to expose and oppose election fraud. We will continue to hold the Marcos regime and the Comelec responsible for the fraud-tainted results of the 2025 elections.
We call on the people to remain vigilant and active in the continuing efforts for election transparency and accountability and against election fraud, political repression and voter disenfranchisement. #
