Pimentel wants probe on overseas voting glitch

MANILA, Philippines — Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel III has called for a legislative investigation on the legality of internet voting for overseas Filipinos ahead of the May 12 midterm elections.

Pimentel filed Senate Resolution No. 977 urging the Senate electoral reforms committee to look into the issues that marred the online voting process.

“The Senate committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation is directed to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, without disregarding the power of said committee to conduct investigations motu proprio, on the legality of the adoption as well as the implementation of internet voting for overseas Filipino voters in the 2025 national and local elections,” Pimentel said in the resolution.

Pimentel cited reported glitches such as missing vote confirmation receipts, inaccessible online platforms and interface errors.

Overseas voters also alleged that the QR codes generated by the system displayed mismatched or unreadable voting data when scanned, which Pimentel said raised concerns about verifiability.

“These incidents have circulated widely on social media platforms and news outlets, amplifying fears of possible electoral fraud or technical failure,” Pimentel said.

Pimentel sought an inquiry in aid of legislation amid a petition filed before the Supreme Court against internet overseas voting.

Petitioners claimed the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is introducing a new method of voting without a law passed by Congress.

However, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body is authorized under the law to explore different modes of automated voting.

Pimentel said while the law, Republic Act 9189, as amended by RA 10590, allows the Comelec to “explore” new methods of voting, it also requires the poll body to report first to the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee.

“There are those who hold the legal position… that the Comelec does not have the authority to motu proprio adopt online voting,” Pimentel said.