A subcommittee of the Senate Commitee on Finance suspended on Friday, Septembber 24, its discussion on the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) P26.7-billion proposed budget for 2022 as lawmakers maintained that the period of voter registration for the upcoming elections should be extended.
During the hearing led by Senator Risa Hontiveros, Comelec chairperson Sheriff Abas apologized for the poll body's rejection of the calls for the extension of voter registration deadline beyond September 30.
"We just want to explain our timelines, your honor, 'yong timelines po namin talagang medyo masikip na (our timeline is really tight now), we really have to do it. Meron kasi kaming mga (Because we have) immovable dates," Abas told the Senate panel.
The Comelec cited its resolution fixing the calendar for voter's registration.
But Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon chided the Comelec, saying the refusal was a tantamount to voter suppression.
"It is a clear voter suppression regulation. You suppress the right of the voter to vote. That is a cardinal sin in our democratic system of government," said Drilon.
The former justice secretary said the Comelec resolution was "illegal" because the existing law state that the voter's registration should be conducted daily until 120 days before a regular election.
"Your reliance on your own resolution is out of place. In my humble opinion, it is illegal and a violation of the Constitution and the decisions of the Supreme Court interpreting election laws," he said.
"I am saddened by the statement of the Comelec na kung may pondo lang ang extension ibibigay po namin iyan. It is not for you to give. Karapatan ng taumbayan na magrehistro at bumoto. Nagpasya ang Kongreso (It was the decision of Congress). There is no discretion granted to you by Congress," Drilon emphasized.
"The refusal to extend the registration period is clearly a regulation to suppress the right to vote," the minority leader said in a separate statement.
Section 8 of Republic Act No. 8189 states that "The personal filing of application of registration of voters shall be conducted daily in the office of the Election Officer during regular office hours. No registration shall, however, be conducted during the period starting one hundred twenty (120) days before a regular election and ninety (90) days before a special election."
Sen. Francis Pangilinan, during the hearing, suggested to defer action on the Comelec's budget.
"Give them time to discuss again their position, en banc, because I understand it's an en banc decision and I wouldn't want them not to have that opportunity to sit down and thoroughly discuss the position of Congress," Pangilinan proposed.
"I am presenting that as a possible option to hopefull find a win-win solution...I would like to support the Comelec, but in this matter of voter registration, the rights of voters come first," he added.
Drilon backed Pangilinan's motion, adding that other senators should also be given the chance to further study the Comelec's budget.
The Senate had recently adopted a resolution urging the Comelec to extend the deadline for voter registration.
Senators also passed on second reading a bill that would extend the registrations.