7 Crucial Changes And Key Entities On The COMELEC Sample Ballot 2025

The 2025 Philippine Midterm Elections, held on May 12, 2025, were a pivotal moment in the nation’s political landscape, and the official COMELEC Sample Ballot served as the definitive guide for millions of voters. As of today, December 17, 2025, an analysis of the ballot and the electoral process reveals significant updates, particularly the introduction of a new ballot template designed to streamline the automated election system (AES) and enhance voter experience. Understanding the structure of this ballot is essential for future political engagement and appreciating the complexity of the recent polls.

This comprehensive guide dives deep into the specific features of the 2025 sample ballot, detailing the full slate of elected positions, key dates from the official calendar, and the certified list of candidates that ultimately determined the composition of the Senate and local governments for the next three years. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) made several procedural and visual changes, making the 2025 ballot a unique document in the history of Philippine elections.

The Definitive Guide to the 2025 Midterm Election Ballot

The 2025 Philippine General Election was a crucial midterm poll where voters elected officials who would serve the remainder of the President's term. The election was governed by the official calendar detailed in COMELEC Resolution No. 10999.

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Key Positions Elected on the 2025 Ballot

The ballot was extensive, covering both national and local positions. Voters were required to select candidates for the following offices:

• National Positions:
  • 12 Senators (out of 24, serving a six-year term)
  • One Party-List Group (from a certified list)
• Local Positions:
  • One District Representative (for each legislative district)
  • One Provincial Governor
  • One Provincial Vice-Governor
  • Members of the Provincial Board (Sangguniang Panlalawigan)
  • One City/Municipal Mayor
  • One City/Municipal Vice-Mayor
  • Members of the City/Municipal Council (Sangguniang Panlungsod/Bayan)

Official COMELEC 2025 Election Calendar Milestones

The entire election process was meticulously scheduled, with key dates that shaped the campaigning and voting period:

• Election Day: May 12, 2025
• Start of Campaign Period (National Candidates): February 11, 2025
• End of Campaign Period: May 10, 2025
• Overseas Voting Period: Began in April 2025 for Filipinos abroad.

The New COMELEC Ballot Template: What Changed in 2025?

One of the most significant updates for the 2025 polls was the introduction of a new, updated ballot face and template. This change was implemented by COMELEC to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the vote-counting machines (VCMs) and to provide a clearer, more user-friendly experience for the voter.

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1. Enhanced Visual Clarity and Layout

The new template featured a clearer separation of the national and local candidate sections. The font size and spacing were reportedly optimized to reduce the chance of stray marks or accidental over-voting, a common issue in previous elections. The overall design aimed for a cleaner, less cluttered appearance.

2. Standardized Candidate Naming

COMELEC rigorously enforced a standardized format for candidate names on the ballot. This was based on the certified list of candidates, ensuring consistency and preventing confusion among candidates with similar names. For national candidates, the list was uniform across the country, while local ballots were specific to the voter's precinct.

3. Specific Ballot Faces for 18 Regions

For the first time, COMELEC uploaded specific "updated ballot faces" for all 18 regions. This allowed voters from various provinces and cities to preview the exact version of the ballot they would receive, including the precise local positions and candidate lists relevant to their area. This pre-election transparency was a major step forward.

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Key Entities: Certified Candidates on the National Ballot

The national part of the ballot—specifically the Senatorial and Party-List sections—garnered the most public attention. The certified list of candidates for the 12 Senatorial slots and the various Party-List groups provided the electorate with a diverse, though often familiar, set of choices.

Certified Senatorial Candidates (Selected Entities)

The final certified list of senatorial candidates included a mix of incumbents, returning politicians, and new faces. The following are some of the notable entities that appeared on the 2025 ballot, illustrating the political diversity and competition:

• BONG REVILLA, RAMON JR. (LAKAS)
• BOSITA, COLONEL (IND - Independent)
• MATULA, ATTY. SONNY (WPP - Workers and Peasants Party)
• HONASAN, GREG (NPC - Nationalist People's Coalition)
• DE LIMA, LEILA (LP - Liberal Party)
• GACHO, GLORIA (IND - Independent)
• GORDON, DICK (IND - Independent)
• LIM, ISKO MORENO (Aksyon Demokratiko)
• OSMEÑA, SERGIO III (IND - Independent)
• PACQUIAO, MANNY (PDP-Laban)
• POE, GRACE (IND - Independent)
• TULFO, ERWIN (IND - Independent)

This list represents a fraction of the full roster but highlights the prominent figures vying for a Senate seat in the 2025 midterm polls. The presence of numerous independent candidates underscored a growing trend of political autonomy outside traditional party structures.

Certified Party-List Groups (Selected Entities)

The Party-List System allows marginalized sectors to gain representation in the House of Representatives. Voters could choose only one group. The certified list was extensive, but key entities included:

• MAZA, LIZA (MKBYN - Makabayan Coalition)
• BROSAS, ARLENE (MKBYN - Makabayan Coalition)
• ACT TEACHERS (Advocating for the rights of teachers and education workers)
• AKO BICOL (Representing the Bicol Region's interests)
• GABRIELA (Focusing on women's rights and welfare)
• BAYAN MUNA (People First)
• ANAKALUSUGAN (Health sector advocacy)
• AGAP (Agricultural sector representation)

The selection of a Party-List group was a crucial element of the 2025 ballot, impacting the legislative agenda and sectoral representation in Congress.

The Importance of the Sample Ballot for Voter Education

The release of the official COMELEC sample ballot and the updated ballot faces well in advance of Election Day was a critical component of voter education. It allowed citizens, both domestically and through Overseas Voting efforts, to familiarize themselves with the layout and the names of the certified candidates.

Voters were strongly encouraged to study the sample ballot to create their own 'kodigo' (cheat sheet) to ensure they could quickly and accurately shade their choices on the actual ballot. This preparation was vital to prevent errors like over-voting (selecting more candidates than allowed for a position), which would invalidate the votes for that specific office. The automated election system relies heavily on the precise marking of the ballot, making pre-election study of the ballot template non-negotiable for an informed vote. The 2025 midterm elections, with its new template, further emphasized the need for this meticulous preparation.