Davao City – April 23, 2025
The Archdiocesan Citizens Engagement (A.C.E.) Committee of the Archdiocese of Davao has issued a blunt and urgent call to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC): fix the connectivity crisis in remote Davao communities now—or risk compromising the integrity of the 2025 elections.
In a strongly worded letter sent to COMELEC Chair George Erwin Garcia, the A.C.E. Committee, in partnership with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), warned that the continued exclusion of Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) from satellite-based communication systems—such as Starlink—poses a direct threat to the credibility, fairness, and inclusivity of the upcoming May 12 elections.
“This is not just a technical oversight—it’s a justice issue,” the group declared. “Without reliable communication infrastructure, voters in many Davao GIDA communities risk being left out of the democratic process entirely.”
Davao’s GIDAs: Still in the Dark
While COMELEC has publicly promoted the use of satellite technology to secure real-time transmission in far-flung areas, the Church-based watchdog says the reality on the ground tells a different story. Their field reports reveal that many GIDA areas across Davao City and the region have not received a single Starlink unit. There is no clarity on who decides the deployment priorities, no transparency on coverage, and no timeline for resolution.
“The lack of transparency in the rollout of Starlink is unacceptable,” the A.C.E. Committee said. “COMELEC must immediately publish a full list of areas covered and uncovered—and take aggressive steps to fill the gaps. Time is running out.”
Davao: A Decisive Battleground
The watchdog stressed that Davao City’s role as a key political battleground in the 2025 elections makes the issue even more urgent. As a region with massive electoral influence, the disenfranchisement of even a fraction of its voting population due to poor connectivity could have national consequences.
“Every uncounted vote in Davao weakens the legitimacy of the entire electoral exercise,” said Rev. Fr. Leonardo Dublan Jr., Chairperson of the A.C.E. Committee. “We cannot allow geography to be an excuse for exclusion.”
A Wake-Up Call to COMELEC and Stakeholders
The A.C.E. Committee’s message is clear: COMELEC must act now. No vague plans, no empty promises—what is needed is concrete action, immediate deployment of additional Starlink units or viable alternatives, and a commitment to ensuring no voter is left behind.
They also urged civil society, local government units, and the broader faith-based community to step up and pressure COMELEC to resolve the issue before May 12.
“We will not stay silent. We will remain watchful. And we will hold institutions accountable,” said the group in its closing statement. “Democracy demands more than just ballots—it demands access, equity, and justice for all.”
The letter was also sent to COMELEC Region XI Director Atty. Michael Abas and COMELEC Education and Information Director John Rex Laudiangco.