MANILA — Commission on Elections Chairperson George Erwin Garcia assured the public that the 2028 national elections will proceed as scheduled amid speculation questioning whether the polls would push through.

“With all due respect sa ibang espekulasyon, ang 2028 election ay darating. Yan ay certain to come in the same manner na pagsabi nating certain, a hundred percent may eleksyon sa 2028 dahil ang Comelec ay handang-handa,” Garcia told reporters.

In a report, it said that the Comelec chief issued the statement when asked about remarks made by Vice President Sara Duterte, who recently expressed hope that there would be a presidential election in 2028.

In an interview in The Hague, Duterte said she already considers herself a “presumptive candidate” after publicly declaring her intention to run for president.

“I’m already a presumptive candidate because I declared my intention to run for the next presidential elections,” Duterte said.

“We can only pray that there will be a presidential election in 2028 and it will be honest, orderly, and peaceful,” she added.

Garcia said the poll body is already around 50 to 60 percent prepared for the 2028 elections, emphasizing that the Constitution mandates the conduct of presidential elections every six years.

He also disclosed that around 1.3 million newly registered voters, mostly from the youth sector, have already signed up.

According to the Comelec, nationwide voter registration for the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections resumed on Oct. 20, 2025 and will continue until May 18, 2026.

The poll body said voter registration is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at satellite registration sites and Offices of the Election Officer nationwide.