NPC probes public display of voters' list

CEBU, Philippines — The National Privacy Commission (NPC) is currently investigating reports on the public display of the Posted Computerized Voters’ List (PCVL) at some of the polling sites in the country during the just-concluded midterm elections.

The PCVLs, which contained voters’ personal information such as their full names, photographs, and residential addresses, were reportedly posted in areas accessible to the general public, like bulletin boards outside the voting precincts.

The NPC would like to know whether the posting of the PCVLs and the manner in which they were displayed constitute a violation of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (DPA), its implementing rules and regulations, and NPC issuances.

The NPC also advised the public to refrain from taking photographs of the PCVLs and posting these on social media or other platforms without the consent of the individuals listed.

Unauthorized sharing of personal data may lead to further privacy risks and potential violations of the law, the NPC said.

The NPC is also encouraging concerned individuals to report any related incidents by sending it to [email protected].

Meanwhile, the 2025 midterm elections reportedly set a record-breaking voter turnout at 82.20 percent on its final count, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported.

The midterm elections saw a total of 57,350,968 of the 69,673,653 registered voters, including the local absentee voters and registered overseas voters that cast their votes.

The poll body said that the official and final voter turnout is based on the final canvass report of the National Board of Canvassers.

The turnout is 82.20 percent, the biggest turnout in the history of the midterm elections in the country, beating the 75.90 percent turnout in 2019.

The 2025 midterm elections also came in second in voter turnout if the presidential elections are included. The 2022 elections posted the highest turnout at 84.10 percent, with more than 55 million of the 65 million registered voters who went out to vote.

The Comelec led by Chairman George Garcia expressed its gratitude to all the teachers, the police and military, and treasurers who served during the elections along with all the poll body's personnel and its deputized agencies, partner government organization, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), and the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections or NAMFREL.

The Comelec also thanked the media, as well as the different social media platforms including Facebook/Meta, Tiktok, Google, and X for its valuable contribution in preventing misinformation and disinformation.

More than anyone, though, the Comelec thanked the Filipinos, who voted and kept the elections orderly and peaceful.

“Maraming salamat po sa inyo! Dahil po sa inyong lahat, naging matagumpay ang 2025 National and Local Elections!," the Comelec said.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara, meanwhile, also thanked the millions of Filipinos who went out and cast their votes.

Angara also urged the public to continue to show compassion and participate in the strengthening of the country's education.

“Lubos ang pasasalamat namin sa bawat Pilipinong bumoto. Buhay ang demokrasya kapag ang taumbayan ay patuloy na nakikilahok—lalo na sa mga adbokasiyang humuhubog sa kinabukasan, gaya ng edukasyon,” said Angara.

He said the voter turnout is a strong testament to the people's ongoing trust in democracy.

Angara also emphasized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s statement after the elections, where the latter described the peaceful and orderly elections as a renewed vigor of the country’s democracy and an invitation to face the challenges the country is facing.

Angara also emphasized that the primary goal of newly elected officials should be the education sector. — /JG (FREEMAN)