#ASKGOYO
Atty. Gregorio Larrazabal
Last Monday, I wrote down some reminders for those who will be applying as a registered voter for the upcoming May 9, 2022, presidential elections. On that day, Filipinos will be voting into office the following officials:
President.
Vice President.
Senators.
District representative.
Party-list representative.
Governor.
Vice governor.
Provincial board member.
Mayor.
Vice mayor.
City/municipal councilor.
Tomorrow, September 1, 2020, Comelec field offices, specifically the Office of the Election Officer (of each city and municipality, or district within a city) will open their doors and start processing the applications for voter registration.
There is a form you’ll have to fill out as a voter, or to change some details of your voter registration. The forms can be downloaded, and I highly recommend that you download the forms and fill up some portions of it BEFORE going to the Comelec office in your city/municipality. You can download the forms by clicking the links below:
Voter Registration Form:
https://www.comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/VoterRegistration/ApplicationsForms/CEF1_Revised.pdf
Supplementary Data Form:
Again. Please remember the very important points in filling up the forms:
- Print three copies of the forms and fill it up before going to the COMELEC office.
- Use legal-size paper (8.5” x 13”) when printing out the application forms.
- You can fill up the form at home, but must affix your signature on the form ONLY IN FRONT OF THE COMELEC OFFICIAL.
- You must roll your fingerprint and affix your specimen signature WHEN YOU ARE AT THE COMELEC OFFICE, IN THE PRESENCE OF THE COMELEC OFFICIAL.
Now, for those residing in the National Capital Region and who’ll be registering in Metro Manila, Comelec Director James Jimenez posted a list of contact information for those offices –
https://jamesjimenez.com/jabjimenez/find-your-ncr-registration-center-here/
If you have questions, call those offices BEFORE going to register. As much as possible, limit the time you have to be in the COMELEC office, to lessen the probability and possibility of catching the virus.
Although before applications were processed Monday till Saturday, now the days have been modified. Under the new guidelines, applications will be processed during these days, and shortened hours:
Tuesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
As a reminder, the following may register as a voter for the May 9, 2022 National and Local elections:
- A person who is at least 18 years of age on or before May 9, 2022, presidential elections
- A resident of the Philippines for at least one year and in the city/municipality where he/she proposes to vote, and at least six months immediately preceding the May 9, 2022 national and local elections;
- Not otherwise disqualified by law.
Take note that under current government health protocols of certain quarantine levels, people under the age of 18 and senior citizens cannot leave their home. I suggest people who fall under these categories first check if they can indeed leave their homes to register during quarantine.
As discussed previously, the following applications will be processed by the COMELEC Field Office:
- First time registration as a voter.
- Transfer of residence of a voter.
- Change or correction of entries of the voter, including change of marital status.
- Reactivation of voter registration.
- Inclusion of registration record.
- Reinstatement of the name of the voter in the voters list.
BEFORE going to the COMELEC office, make sure of the following rules and guidelines:
- ALL applicants MUST wear a mask and face shield. You will be denied entry to the Comelec office if you do not comply with this health protocol.
- Please bring your own ballpen when you go to register as a voter.
- Before entering the Comelec office, make sure you step on the disinfection mat which is located in front of the office.
- There is an alcohol and/or sanitizer dispenser in the Comelec office. Make sure you apply on your hands when you enter the office.
- Make sure you practice physical distancing when in the Comelec office.
- When you finish and leave the Comelec office, make sure you apply alcohol and/or alcogel on your hands.
These officials you will elect into office will serve six and three year terms and it’s important to make sure you TAKE YOUR TIME TO CHOOSE WISELY. I’ve spoken with many people who spend more time thinking where to eat or what to buy for dinner (which will tide them till breakfast) than choosing who to vote for. There’s something incorrect when some spend more time on their phone going through a food app choosing what restaurant to order from and what food to eat (which will affect your life only for the next few hours, or until you decide to eat again), than spending time in choosing a candidate who’ll affect your lives for the next 52,560 hours.
Stay Safe. Stay healthy. Wear a mask properly. Get ready to make a change.