Comelec Selects Amoranto Stadium for Ballot Verification Ahead of Midterm Elections

In preparation for the upcoming midterm elections on May 12, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has announced that it will utilize the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City as the primary location for verifying printed ballots. This decision comes as a response to the limited space available at the National Printing Office, which has hindered the verification process. Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia emphasized the need for a larger venue to enhance the efficiency of the verification efforts. The Quezon City government has graciously offered the use of the entire Amoranto Stadium at no cost, facilitating the necessary space for these critical activities. Garcia also mentioned that preparations are underway, with the procurement of essential materials already in progress to kickstart the verification process at the new venue. Concerns have been raised about the slow pace of verification as ballot printing continues, prompting Comelec to plan the recruitment of an additional 300 personnel to join the existing 800 verifiers. These new hires will be compensated with a daily minimum wage of PHP645.