Comelec's extension of voter registration 'a positive development,' says Roque
A positive development amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) scourge.

That's how Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque described the Commission on Election's (Comelec) decision to extend voter registration for next year's polls.
"The resolution of the (Comelec) to extend voter registration for the 2022 elections is a positive development in light of the extraordinary circumstances brought by the COVID-19 pandemic," Roque said in a statement sent to Malacañang reporters Wednesday, Sept. 29.
"Having said this, and now that ample time is given, we call on all eligible voters, especially the youth, to register early, and not resort to last-minute registration, while adhering to minimum public health standards. Let us all exercise our right of suffrage," added Roque, who has been included in the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan's (PDP-Laban) Senate slate.
Earlier Wednesday, Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said another round of voter registration will take place from Monday to Friday during office hours between Oct.11 and 30.
However, Jimenez said there will be a registration on the final day, Oct. 30, which falls on a Saturday. The deadline for voter registration was initially set on Sept. 30.
Roque previously said that Malacañang has no problem with the moves to extend the registration period.
The filing of the certificates of candidacy (COCs) of the election hopefuls will run from Oct. 1 to 8.
It remains to be seen how the ongoing pandemic will impact the actual voting of Filipinos come election day on May 9, 2022.