LEGAZPI CITY (PIA5) – Six months before the deadline of voter’s registration, Regional Election Lawyer Michael Angelo B. Laurio is urging Bicolanos to register for the May 9, 2022 elections.
For him, signing up and voting is not just a privilege, but a civic duty.
In an interview at Ugnayan sa Bicol last March 25, Laurio noted that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) 5 has recorded about 161,322 new voters from January 2020 up to March 23 this year.
Laurio added that Comelec 5 aims to receive more than their target 234, 000 voter’s applicants before September 30.
“Our main goal is to drive everyone who is qualified and eligible Filipinos to register and exercise their rights of suffrage,” Laurio said.
"It is very important for us to choose our leaders wisely from the national down to local level as they are the ones who hold the government and the administration,” he added.
Voter’s registration new schedule
Because of the surge of COVID-19 cases in the country, the commission released a new schedule for voter’s registration.
From March 22 to April 4, Comelec field offices will be open from Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 5 pm. Applications for new and reactivated voters will be up to 3 pm only. Fridays will be spent for disinfection of their workplaces.
Satellite registration is temporary put on hold until further notice.
For barangays that will request for satellite registration and schedule, their respective barangay councils may write their intent to the Office of the Regional Election Director. However, factors are to be taken with utmost consideration before the office could approve: No COVID-19 cases within the last 14 days; and number of voters who will register.
Applications of voters who did not vote in the past two successive elections would be deactivated. Nonetheless, they can easily apply for reactivation at any election office, Laurio said.
“We will push for the 2022 elections”
Amid COVID-19 pandemic, Laurio and the rest of Comelec 5 push for the conduct of 2022 national elections.
In order to assure the safety of the public during any electoral activities, a committee on new normal composed of various directors in Comelec was established.
Laurio explained that the committee will study and recommend any guidelines or policies to ensure the safety during registration, filing of certificates of candidacy, campaigns and casting of votes in the new normal.
He added that the committee is yet to release any directives on the mode of campaigns or sorties. “We do recognize that the traditional mode of campaign may no longer be practicable," he concluded. (PIA5)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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