Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 3) — A fire hit a Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Sta. Margarita town in Samar, which incurred property damage worth P345,000 on Thursday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office 8 confirmed.
“Our local office in Sta. Margarita, Samar was completely damaged by fire this morning. We are waiting for [the] results of the investigation,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said on Friday.
Garcia earlier said that no important papers were damaged by the blaze as all documents for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) have been deposited in the treasurer’s office.
He added that winning candidates in the area were already proclaimed and the certificates of canvass are intact.
Police, however, said there were also documents that were destroyed such as book of voters, election results, Election Day Computerized Voters List (EDCVL) National and Local Election (NLE) for 2022 and 2023, certificates of candidacy, and statements of contributions and expenditures (SOCE).
Reported losses in the incident include computers, laptops, printers, aircons, desks, chairs, water dispenser, cabinets, and rice cookers.
Authorities have yet to identify the cause of the fire.
