Mandaluyong City residents queue up to register as voters at a temporary COMELEC satellite center in SM Megamall on October 25, 2021, less than a week before the extended deadline for voters' registration. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said it is investigating several barangay officials nationwide for their possible involvement in the illegal registration of voters.

The Comelec gave the statement days after it filed cases against a barangay official from Cagayan de Oro City, who issued barangay certificates to numerous people to allow them to register as voters despite the absence of a government ID.

"Mayroon pa sa NCR, northern Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao," Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco told state television PTV.

"Inaasahan natin na kapag nakakalap na ng ebidensya yung ating special task force ay inaasahan natin na susulong ang isang kaso patungkol sa disqualification at ikalawa kasong criminal," he said when asked about ongoing investigations in Makati City.

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Those who would be deemed liable for the offense may be imprisoned for 1 to 6 years, and may be perpetually disqualified from running for public office, Laudiangco said.

Meanwhile, Laudiangco said the Comelec is confident that it could "improve voting experience" in the 2025 midterm elections as the agency has been mounting simulations, and time and motion studies ahead of the actual polls.

"Bawat voting center ay mayroon kaming technician. Kung dati po ang lahat ng makina ay kailangan dalhin pa sa warehouse ng Comelec sa Laguna, hindi na namin gagawin yan," he said.

"Magtatatag ang Comelec ng 110 technical and repair hubs, practically covered na yung 82 lalawigan natin kasama pa yung ibang isla," he said.

The Philippines will hold its midterm elections in May.