Category: Advocacy

  • Diplomacy Meets Media: Indonesian Trade Attaché Graces TopNewsAsia and Leading Women Magazine Signing

    Diplomacy Meets Media: Indonesian Trade Attaché Graces TopNewsAsia and Leading Women Magazine Signing

    Indonesian Trade Attaché Joins TopNewsAsia and Leading Women Magazine Event to inspire readers, supporters, and aspiring leaders in the community.

    On March 5, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, readers, supporters, and aspiring leaders gathered at National Bookstore for the first magazine signing event of the year hosted by TopNewsAsia and Leading Women Magazine, led by publisher Grace Bondad Nicolas.

    Adding significance to the occasion was the presence and support of the newly appointed Trade Attaché of the Embassy of Indonesia in the Philippines, Rahayu Ningsih, whose participation highlighted the growing relationship between media, diplomacy, and cross-cultural collaboration.

    The event featured two inspiring personalities whose stories represent leadership and innovation in today’s evolving society. The current cover of TopNewsAsia features Brian Poe Llamanzares, Congressman of FPJ Panday Bayanihan, while the maiden issue of Leading Women Magazine highlights young CEO Grace Santiago of Lync Solutions, released in celebration of National Women’s Month.

    More than 120 attendees participated in the exclusive meet-and-greet and magazine signing, creating a rare opportunity for readers to personally interact with the leaders whose stories they read about in print. What made the event even more meaningful was the insightful discussion on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Literacy, where Llamanzares and Santiago shared their perspectives on how technology is transforming governance, entrepreneurship, and the future workforce.

    The importance of a magazine signing goes far beyond autographs. It transforms journalism into a living conversation. For readers, it is an opportunity to engage directly with the people behind the headlines and cover stories. For the featured personalities, it becomes a platform to expand ideas, inspire dialogue, and connect with communities that believe in their vision.

    Events like this also reaffirm the continuing relevance of print media. In an era dominated by digital platforms, a magazine signing reminds audiences that printed stories carry depth, credibility, and permanence. When readers hold a magazine and meet the leaders featured in its pages, the experience becomes both personal and memorable.

    Another key advantage of the gathering was its educational value. Young professionals, students, and entrepreneurs present during the event gained valuable insights about the growing role of artificial intelligence and the need for stronger digital literacy skills in a rapidly evolving world. These discussions demonstrated how media events can serve not only as celebrations of publication but also as platforms for learning and inspiration.

    The objective of the gathering was clear: to create a meaningful space where journalism, leadership, and public engagement intersect. Through initiatives like this, TopNewsAsia and Leading Women Magazine continue to elevate conversations that matter, highlight leaders who make a difference, and encourage readers to become informed, empowered, and inspired members of society.

    Publisher Grace Bondad Nicolas expressed her sincere gratitude to National Bookstore for its continued partnership in promoting print media and fostering intellectual exchange through events like these.

    As the first magazine signing of the year, the event set the tone for more interactive experiences where stories printed on pages come alive through conversations, connections, and inspiration, reminding everyone that behind every magazine cover is not just a story, but a community ready to listen, learn, and lead.

    Reference:

    Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas

    President and Editor-in-Chief

    TAG Media Group

  • PBF 2026 Brings Together the Full Spectrum of Philippine Literary Life

    PBF 2026 Brings Together the Full Spectrum of Philippine Literary Life

    Did you know that the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2026 brings together the full spectrum of of Philippine literary life?

    The writers whose pages many of us grew up with – Ricky Lee, Virgilio Almario, Ambeth Ocampo-will be on hand along side trade-book favorites Jonaxx and Ron Canimo, kidlit masters Eugene Evasco and Luis Gatmaitan, and komiks legends Manix Abrera and Pol Media. Viral reads, poetry, pop fiction, indie zines, and award-winning titles every kind of reader finds their people here.

    On March 14, 2026, the Final Stage will host the 43rd National Book Awards (NBA) – honoring the authors, illustrators, editors, translations, and publishers whose work has shaped and sustained Philippine literature. It is the festival’s day set aside entirely for the recognition of excellence and affirmation of the strength, creativity, and diversity of Filipino story telling this day.

    The PBF is more than gathering of books. It is a gathering of the nation’s voices – where writers meet readers, teachers meet students, and communities come together around stories that are unmistakably ours. Literature lives beyond if it is shared, celebrated, and felt together.

    PBF 2026 runs from March 12 to 15, 2026. Register here for FREE: bit.ly/PBF2026Registration

  • Philippine Book Festival 2026 Theme: Gubat ng Karunungan or The Rainforest of Knowledge

    Philippine Book Festival 2026 Theme: Gubat ng Karunungan or The Rainforest of Knowledge

    National Book Development Board (NBD)’s Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2026 was launched on February 26, 2026. During the PBF 2026 Media Launch, Joffrey “Pepot” Atienza has revealed the theme of PBF 2026.

    This year’s PBF gathers under the theme Gubat ng Karunungan—The Rainforest of Knowledge. A gubat is alive, layered, and interconnected, and our literary ecosystem is no different. Featured as the festival’s four signature realms, each one represents a distinct corner of Philippine literature and learning: different audiences, different genres—one forest, thriving and alive.

    Kid Lit is built for young readers, featuring picture books, learning materials, and titles that nurture a lifelong love of stories.

    Komiks brings the universe of Filipino comics to life, honoring the legends of the form while spotlighting emerging visual storytellers.

    Booktopia is a meeting ground for the many voices shaping the Filipino literary imagination—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, and more.

    Aral Aklat is dedicated to learning, featuring textbooks, teaching guides, and educational resources for classrooms, teachers, and library hubs across the country.

    The PBF 2026 takes its theme from the richness underfoot and overhead: Gubat ng Karunungan or Rainforest of Knowledge. The key visual, crafted by returning artist and designer Joffrey “Pepot” Atienza, follows two characters, Yaz and Ye-ey, as they journey through a teeming rainforest, taking in its flora, fauna, and falls.

    Drawing on his daily life at the foot of Mount Banahaw in Lucban, Quezon, Atienza wave recycled paper into the artwork as a deliberate gesture: the same trees that give us paper carry the stories we tell. “Our stories, our books, and our karunungan all start here – in the biodiversity we need to protect.”

    PBF 2026 runs from March 12 to 15, 2026 at the Megatrade Hall, 5th Floor, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. FREE Entrance for ALL.

    Register here for FREE: bit.ly/PBF2026Registration

    REFERENCE:

    National Book Development Board (NBDB) – the Philippines’ book authority mandated to develop and strengthen the local book publishing industry.

  • Philippine Book Festival 2026 Programs and Featured Events

    Philippine Book Festival 2026 Programs and Featured Events

    During the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2026 Media Launch on February 26, 2026, Charisse Aquino-Tugade, Executive Director, National Book Development Board (NBDB), has shared the PBF 2026 Programs and Feature Events.

    DAY 1 (MARCH 12) FEATURED EVENTS:

    FIESTA STAGE

    Layag Pahina: The Opening Ceremonies; Fragile Frontier: The Climate Study of Palawan Film Launching UNESCO by National Commission of the Philippines; and Makata sa Pinas with Gloc-9 by Everything’s Fine

    GUBAT NG KARUNUNGAN

    The History Q&A with Prof. Xiao Chua by San Anselmo Press

    BAHAY ILLUSTRADOR

    Concept Character Making: From Idea to Visual Form by Jerome Supler

    UMPUKAN

    Making Learning Araling Panlipunan Fun with Alamin, and Alamin! by Adarna House

    DAY 2 (MARCH 13) FEATURED EVENTS:

    FIESTA STAGE

    Culinary Calling: Pinoy Chefs’ Roundtable; and Mafia-mafihan, literary, literaryhan?

    GUBAT NG KARUNUNGAN

    Owver-owver sa Hiraya: Writing Queer; and Fantasy by GAD-NBDB

    BAHAY ILLUSTRADOR

    Make Your Little Dream House by Danielle Florendo)

    UMPUKAN

    Wellness for Authors by PaperKat Books

    DAY 3 (MARCH 14) FEATURED EVENTS:

    FIESTA STAGE

    National Book Awards Ceremony & VivaOne Soecial Program

    GUBAT NG KARUNUNGAN

    PITCH, PLEASE by NBDB x PaperKat Books

    BAHAY ILLUSTRADOR

    HAGOD (The Brush Inking Techniques of the Filipino Komiks Masters) by Randy Valiente

    UMPUKAN

    PITCH, PLEASE! From Print to GMA Pictures by NBDB x GMA Pictures

    DAY 4 (MARCH 15) FEATURED EVENTS:

    FIESTA STAGE

    Encantadia Chronicles Sang’gre Book Launch by GMA x PaperKat Books

    GUBAT NG KARUNUNGAN

    Malong: The Magic Cloth by Teatro Arellano

    BAHAY ILLUSTRADOR

    Paint Your Own Jeep by Patricia Ramos

    UMPUKAN

    Hayop na Booklaunch! With Naldo Vivo by Avenida Books

    Join the Philippine Book Festival, from 12 to 15 March at Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, where books, art, and culture come together in one unforgettable experience!

    The Philippine Book Festival isn’t just another typical book fair—it offers a diverse array of events, including talks, workshops, meet-and-greets, book signings, exhibitions, and musical and literary performances. It’s an immersive book experience where attendees can purchase their favorite Filipino books, meet esteemed authors, participate in workshops, and even enjoy different contests. With special features like walking tours with National Artists, the festival presents an ideal opportunity to reintroduce the joy of reading to students in an engaging learning environment.

    See you at the Philippine Book Festival!

    PBF 2026 runs from March 12 to 15, 2026 at the Megatrade Hall, 5th Floor, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. FREE Entrance for ALL.

    Register here for FREE: bit.ly/PBF2026Registration

  • Philippine Book Festival 2026 Media Launch

    National Book Development Board (NBDB)’s Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2026 Media Launch was held on February 26, 2026 at JRich Corporate Center, 16 Sto. Domingo Ave, Quezon City, 1114 Metro Manila,

    During the event, Charisse Aquino-Tugade, Executive Director, NBDB, has shared an opening message regarding the PBF 2026. She is someone who deeply believes in the power of Filipino stories. She is not just a public servant, but as a storyteller, a mother, and a reader who has seen, firsthand, what books can do to a life.

    She mentioned that the Philippine Book Festival is a marketplace – and we must celebrate that Authors deserve royalties. Illustrators deserve fair compensation. Editors, designers, printers, and booksellers deserve recognition and livelihoods. When books move, the industry thrives. And when the industry thrives, new voices get the chance to rise.

    PBF is more than a marketplace. It is a third place – and in a world where most of our interactions are filtered through screens, where the boundaries between work, home, and school have all but dissolved, we all need a place where we can gather freely, without expectation or agenda. At PBF, you will find spaces for conversation, for creation, for curiosity.

    During the event Joffrey “Pepot” Atienza has revealed and shared the PBF 2026 Key Visual of the theme “Gubat ng Karunungan or Rainforest of Knowledge”.

    Besides, Charisse Aquino-Tugade also revealed the PBF 2026 Programs and Featured Events.

    Moreover, special guests from diverse industries were invited for the open forum, interviews and messages of support during the launched of PBF 2026.

    Open Forum & Interviews with Special Guests: Segundo Matias, Author & Publisher; Cj Reynaldo, Author & Illustrator; Ronaldo VIVO Jr., Author; Nelson Canlas, News Anchor & Author; & Yasmien Kurdi-Soldevilla, Author & Actress, has shared their ideas and experiences during the 2026 PBF Media Launch.

    The 2026 PBF Media Launch is powered by National Book Development Board and hosted by Jamie Ang.

    PBF runs from March 12 to 15, 2026 at 5th Floor, Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. FREE Entrance for ALL.

    Register here for FREE: bit.ly/PBF2026Registration

  • The Philippine Book Festival: A National Stage for Filipino Books and The Ultimate Book Experience

    The Philippine Book Festival (PBF) is the country’s only book festival dedicated exclusively to Filipino-authored and published works. Powered by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), it brings together thousands of Filipino books, educational materials, and creative works in a single space for culture, learning, and conversation—and, more than a marketplace, a shared third place for readers, writers, teachers, illustrators, publishers, students, families, and literary enthusiasts, all under one roof.

    Since its launch in 2023, the PBF has steadily grown in reach and scale across its first three editions. PBF 2026 runs from March 12 to 15, 2026 at the Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, in Mandaluyong City.

    Into the Gubat

    This year’s PBF gathers under the theme Gubat ng Karunungan—The Rainforest of Knowledge. A gubat is alive, layered, and interconnected, and our literary ecosystem is no different. Featured as the festival’s four signature realms, each one represents a distinct corner of Philippine literature and learning: different audiences, different genres—one forest, thriving and alive.

    Kid Lit is built for young readers, featuring picture books, learning materials, and titles that nurture a lifelong love of stories.

    Komiks brings the universe of Filipino comics to life, honoring the legends of the form while spotlighting emerging visual storytellers.

    Booktopia is a meeting ground for the many voices shaping the Filipino literary imagination—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, and more.

    Aral Aklat is dedicated to learning, featuring textbooks, teaching guides, and educational resources for classrooms, teachers, and library hubs across the country.

    The Philippines is a nation of many languages, many regions, many voices—from Luzon to Mindanao, from the city streets to rural barangays, from fantasy novels to research publications. Every story
    strengthens this ecosystem
    . Maglakad. Maglibot. Maligaw. Every reader is an explorer, every page a forest.

    Creative Corners of PBF

    Alongside its four realms, the PBF stages exhibitions that connect the literary with contemporary creativity—from rare historical texts to art installations. Past editions have featured:

    • The Rare Books Collection from the National Library of the Philippines, including facsimiles of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
    • The Ang INK art installation, featuring the creative works of children’s book illustrators
    • The History of Komiks by Randy Valiente
    • Mundo ng Trese by Kajo Baldisimo
    • NCCA School of Living Traditions
    • NCCA-PVAS art installation and exhibition

    For this year, five activation spaces complete the festival experience:

    Lugar Lagdaan is your go-to spot for book signings. Meet the people behind the stories you love.
    Bahay Ilustrador is where illustrators, comic artists, and graphic storytellers show how images speak louder than words.
    Gubat ng Karunungan is a forest of learning, workshops, and masterclasses for curious minds of all ages.
    Fiesta Stage is the main stage, the heartbeat of PBF, where grand performances and epic panels unfold.
    Umpukan is the chill zone for intimate talks and idea-sharing sessions where conversations flow freely.

    Together, these creative corners add new layers of visual and cultural depth to the PBF.

    The Audience Pulse

    From 2023 to 2025, the PBF drew more than 120,000 visitors and, through its partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), helped generate PHP 946 million in institutional book sales in 2024
    alone. Beyond retail, the festival has reshaped how books reach classrooms: through a coordinated review process between DepEd and the NBDB, regions can now identify and acquire books that reflect
    their local contexts and students’ needs
    .

    The Vision of PBF

    The PBF was launched as a national effort to improve access to quality, affordable Filipino-authored books, addressing long-standing gaps in distribution for both retail and institutional buyers. At the festival’s opening, welcome remarks from DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo Sonny” Angara and NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade will set the tone for discussions that will shape the future of educational resources in the country.

    The PBF Experience

    PBF 2026 brings together the full spectrum of Philippine literary life. The writers whose pages many of us grew up with—Ricky Lee, Virgilio Almario, Ambeth Ocampo—will be on hand alongside trade-book
    favorites Jonaxx and Ron Canimo, kidlit masters Eugene Evasco and Luis Gatmaitan, and komiks legends Manix Abrera and Pol Medina. Viral reads, poetry, pop fiction, indie zines, and award-winning titles: every kind of reader finds their people here.

    Honoring Filipino Stories

    On March 14, the Fiesta Stage will host the 43rd National Book Awards (NBA)—honoring the authors,illustrators, editors, translators, and publishers whose work has shaped and sustained Philippine
    literature. It is the festival’s day set aside entirely for the recognition of excellence and affirmation of the strength, creativity, and diversity of Filipino storytelling today.

    The Philippine Book Festival is more than a gathering of books. It is a gathering of the nation’s voices—where writers meet readers, teachers meet students, and communities come together around stories
    that are unmistakably ours. Literature lives when it is shared, celebrated, and felt together.

    Come witness Filipino literature in its grandest form, in its fullest expression.

    We will see you at the Philippine Book Festival 2026!

    REFERENCE:

    NATIONAL BOOK DEVELOPMENT BOARD (NBDB) COMMUNICATIONS

  • PHILIPPINE BOOK FESTIVAL 2026 Strengthens its Commitment to the Growth of Local Publishing

    PHILIPPINE BOOK FESTIVAL 2026 Strengthens its Commitment to the Growth of Local Publishing

    During the 2026 Philippine Book Festival Media Launch that was held on February 26, 2026, the National Book Development Board (NBDB)has announced the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2026 – the country’s only book festival dedicated exclusively to Filipino-authored and published works.

    The NBDB is all set for the 4th Philippine Book Festival (PBF)— the country’s only marketplace dedicated exclusively to all-Filipino books and published works, and a shared third place for publishers, writers, illustrators, readers, educators, and industry stakeholders.

    The festival runs from March 12 to 15, 2026 at the Megatrade Hall, 5th Floor, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

    CHARISSE AQUINO-TUGADE is the Executive Director of the National Book Development Board (NBDB), a cultural worker, the primary mover behind CulturAid, the founder of The Manila Collectible Co., and the founding Director of Museo ng Muntinlupa.
    With interdisciplinary experience spanning the public and private sectors, she creates an environment that empowers and amplifies voices, connecting communities and organizations that might otherwise not cross paths. As the NBDB Executive Director, she envisioned and spearheaded The Book Nook, storytelling and reading communities that provide Pinoy books for kids and kids-at-heart from Ifugao to Tawi-Tawi, as well as the Philippine Book Festival, the country’s premier all-Filipino book fair.

    “With the continued interest we saw in the last few years, we are encouraged by the growing appreciation for Filipino stories and content,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade.

    “The strong public response affirms that there is a meaningful demand for books that reflect our own culture, languages, and lived experiences.”

    Building on that momentum, the NBDB sees PBF 2026 as an opportunity not only to expand visitor turnout and exhibitor participation but also to strengthen access to locally produced books and learning materials. In a milestone for the festival, Day 1 (March 12) will be open to the general public for the first time, welcoming all readers alongside the Department of Education (DepEd) and its book
    evaluators from across the country.

    Four Realms, One Rainforest

    PBF 2026 reimagines its four signature realms within a rainforest-inspired setting. Aral Aklat highlights books as tools for learning and discovery, featuring textbooks and teaching guides. Booktopia invites visitors to explore the breadth of Filipino fiction and nonfiction. Kid Lit nurtures early readers through interactive, child-friendly experiences. Komiks celebrates the visual richness of Filipino comics and graphic storytelling.

    This year’s lineup brings together the full spectrum of Philippine literary life. National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, and prominent historian Ambeth Ocampo will be on hand for book signings alongside trade-book superstars Jonaxx and Ron Canimo, kidlit masters Eugene Evasco and Luis Gatmaitan, and komiks legends Manix Abrera and Pol Medina. GMA Network, together with PaperKat Books, will also launch “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre” at PBF 2026.

    Beyond the realms, the festival offers a range of spaces for connection: Lugar Lagdaan for book signings and reader-author meetups; Bahay Ilustrador for a look into the world of visual storytellers; Gubat ng Karunungan for workshops, talks, and masterclasses; the Fiesta Stage for major programming and performances; and Umpukan for informal community conversations.

    The NBDB, in cooperation with the National Library of the Philippines, will also feature facsimiles of Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, Doctrina Christiana, and Fr. Manuel Blanco’s Flora de Filipinas—rare works
    that anchor the festival in the Philippines’ deep literary heritage.

    A highlight of the four-day run is the 43rd National Book Awards (NBA), to be held on March 14, 2026 at the Fiesta Stage. The NBA acknowledges the works of authors, illustrators, editors, translators, and publishers whose books have helped shape the country’s literary landscape.

    Into the Gubat ng Karunungan

    This year’s festival takes its theme from the richness underfoot and overhead: Gubat ng Karunungan,or Rainforest of Knowledge. The key visual, crafted by returning artist and designer Joffrey “Pepot”
    Atienza, follows two characters, Yaz and Ye-ey, as they journey through a teeming rainforest, taking in its flora, fauna, and falls.

    Drawing on his daily life at the foot of Mount Banahaw in Lucban, Quezon, Atienza wove recycled paper into the artwork as a deliberate gesture: the same trees that give us paper carry the stories we
    tell. “Our stories, our books, and our karunungan all start here—in the biodiversity we need to protect,” he said.

    A Festival Dedicated to Philippine Literature

    “The Philippine Book Festival is positioned not only as a literary event but also as a third place that connects key players in the publishing and education sectors,” Aquino-Tugade said. “By convening publishers, institutional buyers, educators, and readers in a single venue, the festival supports broader efforts to improve access to quality Philippine books and sustain the local publishing industry.”

    “Let’s make the Philippines not just a nation of readers, but a global powerhouse of authors and creators,” Aquino-Tugade concluded.

    About the National Book Development Board

    The National Book Development Board (NBDB) is the Philippines’ book authority mandated to develop and strengthen the local book publishing industry. It works to expand access to quality Philippine
    books, promote a culture of reading, and support the growth of local publishing, while ensuring that Filipino authorship and literary production remain visible, competitive, and sustainable in both
    national and international contexts.

    Follow @nbdbphilippines (Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok) or visit books.gov.ph to learn more.

    REFERENCE:

    NBDB Communications

    #PhilippineBookFestival #PBF2026 #MagbasaTayo #AklatParaSaLahat #NBDB

  • Firmness, Fairness, and Full Preparedness: Chairman Garcia’s Message to Voters and Candidates

    Firmness, Fairness, and Full Preparedness: Chairman Garcia’s Message to Voters and Candidates

    The Chairman of COMELEC recently issued an statement of firmness, fairness, and full preparedness to Voters and Candidates.

    In a comprehensive public statement, George Erwin Mojica Garcia, Chairman of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), highlighted the Commission’s readiness, integrity safeguards, and commitment to inclusive and credible elections.

    Swift but Careful Ballot Printing

    On the printing of ballots for the March 14 Antipolo City 2nd Congressional District Special Election, Chairman Garcia emphasized operational preparedness. He explained that ballot printing could begin immediately and be completed within days. However, speed would never compromise quality.

    Every ballot, he assured, will undergo strict verification, checked thoroughly for clarity, cleanliness, smudges, misprints, or defects that would require reprinting. The Commission is prepared to complete the entire process within five working days, demonstrating both efficiency and meticulous attention to detail. His message was clear: preparedness must be matched by precision.

    Zero Tolerance for Premature Campaigning

    Chairman Garcia issued a strong reminder to candidates to strictly observe election guidelines, especially since the Antipolo election will be conducted manually. Premature campaigning, vote-buying, and the misuse of public funds will not be tolerated.

    He warned that COMELEC will closely monitor violations, particularly the distribution of money or goods during prohibited periods. The Commission will not hesitate to disqualify candidates who break the rules, a stance he noted has already been proven in past enforcement actions.

    This firm posture reinforces COMELEC’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the electoral process.

    Early Voting and Inclusive Participation On Election Day, March 14, 2026, COMELEC will reimplement its successful Early Voting Hours from 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM. These hours are exclusively reserved for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant voters. The initiative reflects the Commission’s continuing effort to make elections more accessible and humane.

    Chairman Garcia also confirmed coordination with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to allow qualified detainees who are registered voters in Antipolo’s 2nd District to cast their votes. He stressed that no eligible Filipino should be left behind when it comes to the right to vote.

    Bangsamoro Registration and Modernization Push

    Following the postponement of the March 30 elections in the Bangsamoro region, COMELEC resumed voter registration from February 9 to March 30, 2026. Through the Register Anywhere Program (RAP), Bangsamoro residents from Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and the Special Geographic Area may register in Highly Urbanized Cities and capital towns without returning to their provinces.

    Chairman Garcia strongly advocated for the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election to be automated, explaining that conducting a fully manual election in the region would pose serious logistical and operational challenges.

    Transparency and Respect in Campaigning In line with its transparency commitment, COMELEC released online the Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) of the seven Antipolo candidates, allowing voters to be properly informed about those seeking office.

    Chairman Garcia also appealed for respectful campaigning, avoiding excessive noise, traffic disruption, and community disturbance. He reminded candidates that the Anti-Discrimination Resolution remains in effect. Personal attacks, discriminatory remarks, and below-the-belt tactics can lead to disqualification, as demonstrated in previous cases.

    A Clear Standard for Elections

    Through his message, Chairman Garcia projected a leadership style defined by preparedness, fairness, inclusivity, and strict enforcement of the law. His words serve not only as guidance to candidates but as reassurance to voters: elections will be conducted with order, transparency, and accountability.

    For COMELEC under his leadership, democracy is not merely administered, it is actively safeguarded.

    Reference:

    Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas

    President and Editor-in-Chief

    TAG Media Group