Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. led other officials on Monday, Oct. 30, in overseeing 303 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) cast their votes during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) at the Manila City Jail.
The DILG said that the exercise gave the chance to inmates who were still awaiting for the resolution of their cases to vote for the first time in local elections.
“Makasaysayan ito dahil ngayon lamang sila magpa-participate sa BSKE (This is a historic event since this is the first time that they will participate in the BSKE). It is very, very historic in that sense," Abalos said.
Abalos explained that the historic event occurred by virtue of the Aug. 26, 2022 Supreme Court decision that unless convicted with finality, all PDLs have the Constitutional right to vote.
On Aug. 26, 2022, the DILG stated that the Supreme Court lifted the temporary restraining order (TRO) on Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution No. 9371 which allowed qualified PDLs to vote during elections.
“A tripartite memorandum of agreement then ensued among the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), COMELEC and Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) to ensure an orderly election process for PDLs," the DILG added.
For this year’s BSKE, a total of 26,223 PDLs were allowed to vote inside the 418 participating BJMP jails nationwide through special polling precincts (SPPs) while 1,600 inmates were allowed to vote outside jail premises through escorted voting.
Abalos likewise reported that seven detainees are candidates running in the barangay elections, with five running for kagawad while two for barangay chairperson.
The DILG stated that Section 490, Chapter IX of COMELEC Resolution No. 10924 issued on June 7, 2023, eligible PDLs may vote either through a special polling place established inside a jail facility or detention center or escorted voting in a regular polling place.
“Qualified PDL voters are: those who are confined in jail, formally charged for any crime/s and awaiting/undergoing trial; serving a sentence of imprisonment for less than one year," it added.
“Also allowed are detainees 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," the DILG continued.