Have you registered as voter for the 2022 Philippine elections?
Readers must already be tired of hearing YOUR VOTE MATTERS and I am one of those who will never tire of saying that it does
Published in Daily Tribune on September 10, 2021
by:
With Senator Panfilo Lacson’s and Vicente Sotto III’s official declaration of their decision to run for president and vice president, respectively, and the news of PDP Laban’s assembly for the 9 May 2022 national elections, the election season arguably has already begun. Elections hold a vital place in Philippine democracy. They exemplify the adage — a government by the people for the people. It is the most direct participation by the masses in self-determination, enabling them to choose their leaders from the head of state down to their local leaders. So how does one participate?
Section 1, Article V of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides for the general conditions for a citizen to vote; namely: 1) must be a Philippine Citizen; 2) at least 18 years of age at least six months immediately preceding the election; 3) must be residing at the place where he intends to vote at least six months immediately preceding the election; 4) must be a Philippine resident at least one (1) year immediately preceding the election, and; 5) must not be otherwise disqualified by law.
Republic Act (RA) 8189 otherwise known as the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996, Section 11, disqualifies the following individuals from registering as a voter:
1. A person sentenced by final judgment to suffer imprisonment of not less than 1 year. However, any person disqualified under this rule shall automatically reacquire the right to vote upon expiration of five years after service of sentence.
2. A person adjudged by final judgment of having committed a crime involving disloyalty to the government such as rebellion, sedition, violation of firearms law, or crime against national security.
However, any person disqualified under this rule shall automatically reacquire the right to vote upon expiration of five years after service of sentence.
3. Insane or incompetent persons declared as such by competent authority UNLESS subsequently declared by proper authority as no longer insane.
Overseas absentee voters (RA9189 otherwise known as the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003), in addition to the above-mentioned disqualifications, also must not fall under any of the following to be able to vote:
1. Those who have lost their Filipino Citizenship.
2. Those who expressly renounced their Filipino Citizenship.
3. An immigrant or permanent resident recognized as such in the host country.
4. Any of the disqualifications mentioned above declared by a foreign competent authority.
RA8189 provides for a system for assembling a permanent list of voters and the continuing registration of voters. Registration of voters ceases 120 days before a regular election and 90 days before a special election. As the country transitioned to an automated election system, biometrics are taken from every voter as a system of regulation for voting.
To register, go to the nearest Office of the Election Officer (OEO) or Satellite Registration Site (SRS) within your locality. You must accomplish an application form available at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) website and present valid IDs showing your face, complete name, recent address, and signature. Always check for any guideline protocols adopted by the OEO or SRS before proceeding. Alternatively, and instead of simply walking in for registration, Comelec has adopted an online appointment system that will be prioritized in the registration process.
Citizens who have not registered as voters have until the end of this month to register and be eligible to vote in the 2022 national and local elections.
Readers must already be tired of hearing “YOUR VOTE MATTERS” and I am one of those who will never tire of saying that it does. Those who argue against voting ask, what’s one vote? Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez in a tweet declared that there are 61.06 million registered voters for the 2022 elections. Imagine if even a fraction of that 61.06 million thought the same way.
Democracy relies on the strength of numbers and with the novelty of the problems we currently face (the pandemic), the numbers must stack in favor of change. Registering as a voter for the 2022 Elections is a step towards the right direction.
