Pimentel to SK officials: Convince youth to register and vote

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Tuesday called on newly elected Sangguniang ng Kabataan (SK) officials to encourage their constituents to exercise their right to vote.

He said the elected youth leaders have the capacity to mount campaigns to secure votes and they can surely campaign to get the youth to register and vote.

“The SK should convince their constituency to vote––and vote wisely––as they are in a position to remind their fellow youth that who they vote for will determine how their city is run, what laws are passed, and where public funds will go,” Pimentel said in a statement.

Over a million Filipino citizens will be qualified to vote in the 2019 national and local elections, the senator said.

Data reveals that roughly 1.5 million Filipinos born between June 2000 and April 2001 who were too young to register for the May 2018 elections are now qualified to register for the 2019 midterm polls.

“This is a significant portion of our population, one that should be given a say in choosing their leaders,” said Pimentel, who is the Senate Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation Committee Chair.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced that new voters may register from July 2 to September 29, 2018 at the Offices of the Election Officer (OEOs) of the city, district or municipality where they reside.

The Comelec added that unregistered Filipinos aged 18 and above on the day of the elections can register at the OEOs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, including holidays.

“I believe it is important to impress upon our youth that voting is the duty of every responsible citizen, and one of the concrete ways one can influence the direction of government,” Pimentel said. — Syrah Vivien Inocencio/INQUIRER.net Intern /ee