Where voter numbers went up (or down)

More Filipinos have registered to vote for the 2025 midterm elections compared with the previous two polls, data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) showed, but gains and losses were not equal across various areas in the country.

In total, over 68.4 million Filipinos registered to vote in May, up by about 4% from 2022 and nearly 11% from 2019, data provided by the Comelec to the Data Dictionary showed.

In absolute terms, that represented over two million more voters from 2022 and about six million up from 2019. The tally did not include overseas Filipinos who registered to vote.

The broad increase in voter registration however was not reflected everywhere. Our analysis showed decreases in the number of voters in 129 municipalities nationwide compared to the 2019 midterm polls.

Makati City was this year's biggest loser, suffering a decline of 182,000 voters from 2019. In 2022, the Supreme Court ordered the transfer of 10 vote-rich barangays from Makati to neighboring Taguig City in a decision that ended a decades-long territorial dispute between the two financial districts.

Taguig and Makati registered voters

Taguig

Makati

440,300

452,424

2019

449,359

458,362

2022

680,554

270,240

2025

1 million registered voters

Makati

500K

Taguig

2019

2022

2025

Note: Data as of Jan. 3, 2025.
Source: Comelec

At the time of the court ruling, the 10 barangays accounted for 45% of Makati's total voter base. A barangay breakdown of 2025 voter data was unavailable. However, registered voters in Taguig spiked to about 680,000 this year from just 440,000 in the past two elections after the high court decision.

Down South, the province of Cotabato also saw a decline in the number of voters after some barangays in its municipalities voted to be part of the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in a plebiscite in 2019. One example was the municipality of Pikit, which lost 26,000 voters this year.

These barangays, placed under a “special geographic area”, have formed eight new municipalities in BARMM with a combined voting power of about 118,000, Comelec data showed. BARMM will hold its first elections under a new autonomous region this year, but bills pending in Congress are aiming to postpone that anew.

Municipalities in the special geographic area in BARMM

19,242 registered voters

Malidegao

19,167

Ligawasan

16,794

Kapalawan

16,614

Tugunan

12,714

Nabalawag

12,659

Pahamuddin

11,244

Kadayangan

10,029

Old Kaabakan

19,242 registered voters

Malidegao

19,167

Ligawasan

16,794

Kapalawan

16,614

Tugunan

12,714

Nabalawag

12,659

Pahamuddin

11,244

Kadayangan

10,029

Old Kaabakan

Note: Data as of Jan. 3, 2025.
Source: Comelec

Across the country, urban areas, as expected, recorded the largest gains in voter base this year compared to 2019. Apart from Taguig, Quezon City, Manila, and Marikina City — all located in the National Capital Region (NCR) — recorded the biggest jump in voter population.

At the losing end, Makati was joined by Muntinlupa, also in NCR, which lost about 27,000 voters from 2019. Antipolo in Rizal lost about 27,000, while Las Piñas City had 10,000 less voters this year compared to six years ago.

Top gainers, losers of voters for 2025 elections

Change in the number of registered voters from the 2019 midterm polls

Taguig City

Makati City

+240,000 registered voters

−182,000

Quezon City

Muntinlupa City

+124,000

−27,000

Manila

Antipolo City

+77,000

−26,000

Marikina City

Pikit

+70,000

−19,000

Cagayan de Oro City

Midsayap

+69,000

−12,000

General Santos City

Las Piñas City

+67,000

−10,000

Angono, Rizal

Lapu-Lapu City

+63,000

−6,000

San Jose del Monte City

Mandaluyong City

+62,000

−6,000

Valenzuela City

Olongapo City

+60,000

−4,000

Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte

Lipa City

+57,000

−3,000

Calamba City

Laoang

+55,000

−3,000

Caloocan City

Maitum

+46,000

−3,000

Pigkawayan

Pandi

+45,000

−3,000

General Trias City

Victorias City, Negros Occidental

+44,000

−2,000

Dasmariñas City

Jolo

+44,000

−2,000

Bacolod City

Wao, Lanao del Sur

+43,000

−2,000

San Fernando City

Obando

+43,000

−2,000

Mulondo, Lanao del Sur

Tanauan City

+37,000

−2,000

Trece Martires City

Las Navas, Northern Samar

+37,000

−2,000

Iloilo City

San Isidro, Northern Samar

+36,000

−1,000

Biggest gainers

Taguig City

+240,000

Quezon City

+124,000

Manila

+77,000

Marikina City

+70,000

Cagayan de Oro City

+69,000

General Santos City

+67,000

Lapu-Lapu City

+63,000

San Jose del Monte City

+62,000

Valenzuela City

+60,000

Lipa City

+57,000

Calamba City

+55,000

Caloocan City

+46,000

Pandi

+45,000

General Trias City

+44,000

Dasmariñas City

+44,000

Bacolod City

+43,000

San Fernando City

+43,000

Tanauan City

+37,000

Trece Martires City

+37,000

Iloilo City

+36,000

Biggest losers

Makati City

−182,000

Muntinlupa City

−27,000

Antipolo City

−26,000

Pikit

−19,000

Midsayap

−12,000

Las Piñas City

−10,000

Angono

−6,000

Mandaluyong City

−6,000

Olongapo City

−4,000

Sirawai

−3,000

Laoang

−3,000

Maitum

−3,000

Pigkawayan

−3,000

Victorias City

−2,000

Jolo

−2,000

Wao

−2,000

Obando

−2,000

Mulondo

−2,000

Las Navas

−2,000

San Isidro

−1,000

Note: Numbers rounded off to nearest thousands.
Source: Comelec

By percentage change from 2019, four municipalities in the country doubled the number of their registered voters this year. These were Luna in La Union (up 120%), Kapai in Lanao del Sur (up 113%), Kalayaan in Palawan (up 109%), and Tapul in Sulu (up 106%).

Below is the complete data showing the change in the number of voters from 2019 to 2025 in all municipalities, excluding BARMM's special geographic area. Comparison between 2025 and 2019 was made, instead of 2022, since they are both midterm elections. You can also explore more of the election data in our information hub.

Change in registered voters from 2019 to 2025

By province and municipality

Select a province

Note

Data as of Jan. 3, 2025.

Source

Commission on Elections