- DepEd Election Task Force (ETF) recorded 160 poll-related complaints as of 1:30 p.m. on May 13, responding 24/7 through its Election Command Center in Makati City.
- Reports involve vote-counting machine issues, voter list problems, and health concerns of teaching and non-teaching personnel; these are addressed with Comelec, PNP, and partner agencies.
- With PHP99.3 million funding, DepEd’s ETF offers real-time monitoring, legal aid, and rapid response, ensuring safe and honest elections in line with President Marcos Jr.’s directive.
The Department of Education (DepEd) Election Task Force (ETF) reported that it has been resolving poll-related complaints it received during the ongoing midterm national and local elections. Up to 1:30 p.m., the Task Force recorded 160 reports at the DepEd's Election Command Center in TechZone, Makati City, which began operating.
The command center gives a 24/7 response to the needs of all teaching and non-teaching personnel serving for the 2025 elections. In a statement, DepEd Media Relations Chief Dennis Legaspi gave assurances of immediate actions to address numerous issues faced by teachers and non-teaching personnel in the field.
"Mga ulat ay prompt na sinasagot sa koordinasyon nito ng Comelec [Commission on Elections], PNP [Philippine National Police], at iba pang mga katuwang na ahensya upang masiguro ang maayos, ligtas, at tapat na halalan These reports are immediately acted upon in coordination with the Comelec, PNP, and other partner agencies to secure an orderly, safe, and honest elections", he stated in a Viber message.
Legaspi said the majority of the concerns cited are concerns on vote-counting machines, incomplete names in the voters' list, and health issues for teachers and personnel.
Previously, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara pledged to contribute to the achievement of clean and honest elections via the DepEd's ETF as part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call to ensure peaceful, clean, and honest elections.
The ETF, which had approximately PHP99.3 million in funds, sent out teams to maintain the well-being of teachers and non-teaching employees, coordinated with the Commission on Elections, and assisted in resolving issues on the ground immediately, Legaspi explained.
He furthered that the task force also encapsulates "real-time monitoring, legal assistance, hotline and help desk operations, incident response, and post-election reporting". The election command center of the DepEd will operate in full swing until 5 p.m. of May 13.
