The Philippine Online Chronicles

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has extended the registration period by one day, up to Sunday (November 1) to accommodate those who have not yet registered. Registration on November 1 will start at 8 am to 9 pm.

Right to Vote

The right to vote for the leaders who will serve the Filipino people is innate to every qualified citizen of the Philippines. Every Filipino who intends to exercise this right, however, must undergo through the process of registration. Nonetheless, this does not mean that it is the process of registration which gives the people the right to vote.

Technically speaking, the people have the right to vote under the republican system of government—where all government authority comes from the people—even without being registered. However, in the interest of obtaining, securing and promoting free, orderly and honest elections, the process of registration has been adopted by the government, and, at the same time, has been accepted by the people as a regulatory tool necessary to promote such objectives.

Who are qualified to vote?

Under the present Constitution, Filipinos who are at least eighteen (18) years of age, and who have resided in the Philippines for at least one (1) year and in the place where they seek to vote for at least six months, are qualified to vote.

Who are disqualified to vote?

As imposed by law, any of the following persons, however, are disqualified to register as a voter:

• Any person who has been sentenced by final judgment to suffer imprisonment of at least one (1) year.

• Any person who has been adjudged by final judgment of a competent court or tribunal of having committed any crime involving disloyalty to the duly constituted government, such as rebellion, sedition, violation of the firearms laws, or any crime against national security.

• Insane or incompetent persons as declared by competent authority.

Registration Period. The system of “continuing registration” mandates that registration of voters shall be conducted daily in the local COMELEC office during office hours. No registration, however, shall be conducted within one hundred twenty (120) days before a regular election and ninety days (90) days before a special election. For purposes of the 2010 elections, the system of continuing registration is set by the COMELEC from 08 December 2008 until 31 October 2009.

Documentation. A person applying for registration must personally appear before any of the local COMELEC offices. Since the applicant’s personal appearance is required, proxy registration is generally not allowed. Aside from this, the applicant must bring with him an identification card (ID) with picture and signature (ie. Employee’s identification card (ID) with the signature of the employer or authorized representative, Postal ID, Student’s ID or library card, signed by the school authority, Senior Citizen’s ID, Driver’s license, Passport, NBI/PNP clearance, SSS/GSIS ID, or any other valid ID). This will be used by the COMELEC for the purpose verifying the applicant’s identity and residence.

Application Forms. After a successful verification of the applicant’s identity and residence, the applicant must fill up three application forms. After that, his/her biometrics such as his/her signature, fingerprint, and photograph will be digitally captured using COMELEC’s Data Capture Machine. And when the entire process is completed, an applicant will be given an Acknowledgement Receipt.

Biometrics. Registered voters whose biometrics were taken during the process of registration beginning 2003 are issued a Voter’s Identification Card. On the other hand, those who registered prior to 2003 are not issued a Voter’s ID, since the old registration system did not have biometrics technology. In order for registrants prior to 2003 to get a Voter’s ID, they may have their registration records be validated by having their biometrics be captured anew. This validation procedure, however, is not included in the system of continuing registration which resumed in 08 December 2008.