Here are the election hotspots being monitored for the 2025 midterm polls
The Commission on Elections and other relevant agencies are closely monitoring different areas of concern across the country ahead of the 2025 national and local polls.
Election hotspots are areas where there is a history of election-related incidents as well as security concerns. According to the Philippine National Agency, provinces and municipalities are divided into four categories: Green is for places that are peaceful and have no security concerns, while yellow refers to areas with a history of election-related incidents. Orange covers localities with the presence of serious armed threats, or those that meet at least two factors from the yellow category. Red, meanwhile, indicates that an area has serious armed threats and a history of election-related incidents.
Per the Comelec’s March data, 36 areas have been placed under the red category, with 30 of them in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
- Lanao del Sur: Balindong Watu, Bayang, Binidayan, Buadiposo Buntong, Butig, Lumbaca-Unayan, Marantao, Maguing, Malabang, Marawi City, Marogong, Masiu, Mulondo, Piagapo, Pualas, Saguiaran, Sultan Domalondong, Tamparan, Tubaran, and Tugaya
- Maguindanao del Sur: Buluan, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Mamasapano, Rajah Buayan, South Upi, and Sultan sa Borongis Lambayong
- Al Barka, Basilan
- Maconacon, Isabela
- Baleno, Masbate
- Guihulngan City and La Libertad, Negros Oriental
- Santa Margarita, Western Samar
- Nunungan, Lanao del Norte
A total of 156 areas are placed under the orange category, including towns and cities in Cagayan, Isabela, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Albay, Camarines Sur and Norte, Masbate, Iloilo, Leyte, Northern Samar, Sulu, Bukidnon, Caraga region, and other areas in BARMM.
Around 194 areas are placed under the yellow category, while 1,256 areas are under the green category.
PNA reported that the Philippine National Police has been on full alert since May 3 to make sure that the upcoming polls will be peaceful and orderly. Per the outlet, police are "not allowed to go on leave to ensure sufficient deployment in communities."
The Office of Civil Defense, through NDRRMC Memorandum No. 102 s. 2025, has raised the “blue alert” status from May 11 to 14, requiring the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, and the PNP to be on standby for emergencies, support requests, and other issues from regional disaster councils and partner agencies that may arise during the critical period.
They likewise encouraged the public to stay calm, be vigilant, and cooperate with authorities and disaster response teams in monitoring election activities and incidents.
The midterm elections are set to take place on May 12, with a total of 18,320 national and local positions to be voted for. Overseas Filipinos may vote from Apr. 13 to May 12, while local absentees—AFP, PNP, and media practitioners—may vote from Apr. 28 to 30. Here are some dos and don'ts you should keep in mind when voting.
There are 68,431,965 registered voters in the Philippines as of January 2025. Here are the cities and provinces with the most number of registered voters in the country.
As the force of disinformation continues to appear bigger than it is amid the election season, it's important to remember that we all have a significant role to play as individuals who consume and share social media content on a regular basis. PhilSTAR L!fe is inviting you to lead the fight and take responsibility with the launch of Facts Now, Feelings Later, which aims to combat disinformation by promoting cautious, mindful consumption and sharing of online information. Know more about our advocacy campaign campaign here.
