CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines – Close to 1,300 soldiers from the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry “Stormtroopers” Division took part in the Local Absentee Voting (LAV) held from April 28 to 30.
A total of 1,290 military personnel across 19 units in the 8ID’s area of operations cast their votes during the three-day period, as facilitated by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). The LAV was designed for government workers, including military personnel, who are scheduled to be on duty during the May 12 election day.
Those who voted included registered voters deployed to Eastern Visayas from other regions, as well as local residents from Biliran, Leyte, and Samar who will be assigned to other provinces for election-related duties.
Catbalogan City Election Assistant Catherine Morales explained that the LAV is anchored on Executive Order No. 157 (1997) and Republic Act No. 7166, or the 1991 Synchronized Elections Law. It ensures that those serving the public during elections still have a chance to vote.
“The LAV is COMELEC’s way of making sure that even those working on election day are not denied their right to vote,” Morales said.
She noted that absentee voters can only vote for national positions—senators and party-list representatives—and are not allowed to vote again in their home precincts on May 12.
Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, encouraged troops to see voting as a vital civic duty.
“Our votes are our voices,” he said. “Through the simple act of voting, we help shape the future of our nation—a future we are all working hard to protect.”
He reaffirmed the division’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful and orderly election period and supporting the democratic process.
All completed ballots were securely sealed and sent to the COMELEC’s LAV Division for processing and counting through automated machines. | With reports from the Philippine Army
