THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) will conduct three electoral exercises this year, including the special congressional election for the fourth district of Cavite, to fill the seat vacated by former representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga following his expulsion from the House of Representatives.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said Thursday that the Commission en banc has set Aug. 29, 2026 as the date for the special congressional election in the lone district of Dasmariñas City.
The date was finalized during the regular meeting of the Commission en banc, which clears the way for the conduct of a special poll to fill the vacant congressional seat in the city.
The Comelec will also hold the parliamentary elections in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in September and the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in November.
With the congressional special election date now fixed, Garcia said the poll body is moving swiftly to coordinate preparations with key government agencies.
Garcia said a coordination meeting has been scheduled with all stakeholders to discuss operational and security requirements for the special election, including representatives from Philippine National Police and the Department of Education, which provides public school facilities and personnel during elections.
"The coordination meeting aims to ensure that all logistical, administrative, and security requirements are addressed well ahead of election day," he added.
The poll chief stressed the importance of inter-agency cooperation in delivering a credible and orderly electoral exercise.
Security preparations are expected to be among the key agenda to be tackled as authorities work to guarantee a peaceful voting environment.
With less than three months before election day, Garcia said the commission is focused on ensuring that the Aug. 29 special congressional election proceeds smoothly and efficiently.
Garcia clarified that Barzaga remains eligible to run as his removal from office was administrative in nature and did not involve a criminal conviction carrying the penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office.
