Senators laud Comelec’s decision to extend voter registration period

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Several senators lauded the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday for heeding to the public’s clamor of extending the voter registration period for the 2022 elections, one even called it a “win for all Filipinos.”

The Comelec has extended the voter registration period from October 11 to 30. The deadline was initially set on September 30.

Senator Grace Poe expressed appreciation to the poll body for “exercising utmost understanding and flexibility when the exigencies of the pandemic demanded it.”

“The long lines of registrants have become inspirational scenes in display of our people’s perseverance not to give up on their right to vote,” Poe said in a statement.

“Ang pila sa pagpaparehistro, gaya ng pila sa bakuna, ay mga karapatang hindi susukuan ng ating mga kababayan,” she added.

(The line for registration, like in vaccination, are rights that Filipinos will not give up on.)

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, likewise, thanked Comelec as he noted the long queues of people wanting to have their names registered with Comelec for next year’s elections.

“Judging by the packed lines at our registration sites, talagang gusto po ng maraming Pilipino na makaboto [many Filipinos want to vote], and they deserve the chance to do so,” Zubiri said.

“We’re very happy with this decision. Ang laki ng magagawa nitong extension [The extension is a significant move] for our democratic process. And I really hope our people take advantage of these extra three weeks, to get out, register, and eventually vote,” he went on.

Opposition Senators Francis Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros also commended the extension.

“Maliwanag naman na talagang kailangan ng extension kung makikita natin yung pila ng ating mga kababayan na talagang sinasakripisyo nila lahat para makapag-rehistro,” Pangilinan said in an online interview.

(It is clear that we need the extension. We see our fellow Filipinos sacrificing just to line up for the registration.)

“The decision to extend voters’ registration is a win for all Filipinos. The power of the people is undiminished,” Hontiveros uttered.

“This decision remains true to the spirit of democracy because the Senate, the Congress, and especially the COMELEC, heeded the call of the people:  To have our voices heard, and to allow us to genuinely partake in paving the path to our future.  Especially in this pandemic that has taken so much from us, we must protect our right to participate in the crucible of our democracy– the elections,” she further said.

Two separate bills in the Senate and House of Representatives, seeking to stretch the voter registration period, hurdled the final reading on Monday.

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House OKs bill extending voter registration for 2022 polls 

JPV