The Commission on Elections (Comelec) welcomed on Thursday, Sept. 1, the Supreme Court (SC) resolution allowing persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to register and participate in the national and local elections.
"The Commission on Elections welcomes with utmost gratitude the March 29, 2022 Resolution of the Honorable Supreme Court in GR No. 221201 entitled Atty. Victor Aguinaldo vs. New Bilibid Prison (Bureau of Corrections), Department of Justice, Commission on Elections, et al.," Comelec Acting Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said in a statement.
Through the resolution the Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition with Application for Injunctive Relief against Comelec Resolution No. 9371 was dismissed; and the April 19, 2016 Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) was lifted.
Laudiangco added that this resolution paves the way for the full and unimpeded implementation of COMELEC Resolution No. 9371 entitled Rules and Regulations on Detainee Registration and Voting in connection with the May 13, 2013 National and Local Elections and subsequent elections thereafter in succeeding elections.
He also mentioned that in this "triumph of electoral inclusivity, societal equality, and non-discriminatory justice", qualified PDLs such as any person confined in jail, formally charged for any crime/s and awaiting/undergoing trial; or serving a sentence of imprisonment for less than one year; or whose conviction of a crime involving disloyalty to the duly constituted government such as rebellion, sedition, violation of the firearms laws or any crime against national security or for any other crime is on appeal, will be allowed to register as well as vote in the election of National and Local Elective Positions.
"In upholding the validity of Resolution No. 9371, the SC affirmed Comelec's commitment to the rule of law, due process, fair play and equity, and in championing the constitutional right to suffrage of all qualified Filipino Citizens," he said.
"With our gratitudes and appreciations to the SC, as well as to the Department of Justice, Bureau of Corrections, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and all Municipal, City and Provincial Jails, we assure the Filipino People from all walks of life of Comelec's fidelity in ensuring democracy through elections and the guarding sanctity of the ballot," he added.