Comelec approves 110 hubs for vote automation system

Inquirer files

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved the establishment of 110 technical hubs by Miru Systems Joint Venture, the poll body’s automation service provider, in all provinces of the country to handle repair and configuration issues during the elections.

Minute Resolution No. 24-0861, adopted last Monday and made public on Wednesday, stated that at least one technical hub will be established per province and shall become operational from May 6, 2025, until the conclusion of the elections.

READ: Comelec: Last batch of ACMs may arrive 2nd week of November

Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia earlier said the provision for technical hubs was included in the contract with Miru so that faulty automated counting machines would not have to be brought to the Comelec warehouse in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, for repairs or reconfiguration.

In Metro Manila, the technical hubs will be set up in San Juan, Makati, and Valenzuela cities.

In Cebu province, technical hubs will be located in Cebu, Carcar and Danao cities, and Tudela town in the Camotes Islands.

Northern, central and southern Palawan will have technical hubs located in Coron, Puerto Princesa City and Brooke’s Point.

Tawi-Tawi will have technical hubs in the capital Bongao, as well as in Mapun and the Turtle Islands, while Masbate will have one each in Masbate City, San Pascual town on Burias Island and San Jacinto town on Ticao Island.

‘Nuisance’ candidates

Meanwhile, the poll body has uploaded on its website the certificates of candidacy and certificates of nomination and acceptance of all 183 senatorial aspirants.

Last Oct. 16, the Comelec approved the candidacies of 66 aspirants while 117 others were subjected to petitions to declare them as “nuisance” candidates.