House Speaker Martin Romualdez hailed Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials on Tuesday, Jan. 24 for holding what he described as "the best election in the world" during the May 9, 2022 national polls.
Romualdez gave such remarks as the House of Representatives hosted Comelec officials led by Chairman George Garcia for the local launch of the Register Anywhere Project (RAP) of the commission.
"I’d like to just let you know that he (Garcia) made sure that the past election was trouble-free, the automation was smooth as possible," said Romualdez, Leyte’s 1st district congressman, in his speech at the event.
"And would like to say, perhaps the best election--not exaggerating-- in the world, because even in ano, sad to say in the United States there have problems but he spearheaded that. Under the stewardship, and with his very, very close partners," Romualdez further said of Garcia.
The Speaker’s statements were met with a round of applause.
It was during the May 2022 polls that Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte recorded historic majority vote victories in the presidential and vice presidential race, respectively.
Marcos received 31 million votes while Duterte got 32 million votes, respectively. Romualdez served as one of two campaign managers of Duterte.
Referring to the RAP, Romualdez said: "I’d like to commend again the Comelec, once again, for your innovation, your creativity, and your service to the Filipino people. and now particularly to the House of Representatives. I understand that this project has been long in the pipeline in the Comelec for implementation."
The House located in Batasan Complex will serve as a pilot area of RAP, which--as it's name implies--provides for off-site voter registration. In the case of the House, it will be conducted at the North Wing Lobby of the Batasan Complex.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said registration for House members and employees and personnel of agencies will take place 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 25 and 26, while that of their dependents will be on Jan. 27.
Aside from the registration venue and similar requirements, the House will provide Covid-19 antigen test for the 30 Comelec employees who will participate in the off-site registration, the MOU stated.
For its part, the poll body will make available the needed personnel, registration machines, laptops, and other equipment for the endeavor.
Comelec will accept new registration, reactivation, transfer of registration, transfer from post to local in case of overseas voters, and updating of records of senior citizens and persons with disability.