2,431 Bilibid PDLs allowed to register for 2025 elections -- BuCor

A total of 2,431 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City had been allowed to register as voters in the 2025 elections, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said.

In a statement, BuCor said that the registration of the qualified PDLs started today, Monday, August 12, and will be conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) until Tuesday, August 13.

“Even if they are behind bars, unless convicted with finality, their constitutional right to suffrage must be upheld,” BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. said.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 9731, those allowed to register are  those confined in jail or those formally charged with any crime/s and awaiting/undergoing trial; those serving a sentence of imprisonment for less than one year; those 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 registration of the qualified PDLs at NBP is being conducted under a special security arrangement headed by CSInsp. Henry Avila with additional assistance from the Philippine National Police (PNP) based in Muntinlupa City.