Comelec seeks probe into anomalous issuance of barangay certifications

/ 11:52 AM October 17, 2024

Comelec

Commission on Elections Chairperson George Erwin Garcia (3rd from left) answers queries from the press at the close of the fifth day of filing of certificates of candidacy and certificates of nomination – certificate of acceptance for the 2025 midterm polls at The Manila Hotel Tent City on Saturday (Oct. 5, 2024). (File photo from PNA by Avito Dalan)

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is urging the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to investigate the laxity of some barangays in the issuance of of barangay certifications which leads to irregular voter transfers.

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said the use of barangay certification as proof of residence can be abused by local officials during elections.

Article continues after this advertisement

“We are also urging our DILG to investigate those issuing barangay certification which we know are bogus,” Garcia said in a press conference on Wednesday.

FEATURED STORIES

DILG chief Jonvic Remulla was reached by INQUIRER.net for comment but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

Currently, one requirement the public can present as an identification document to become a registered voter in a locality is a barangay identification or certification with a photograph.

Article continues after this advertisement

However, this can lead to “mass migration” of voters from one locality to the other, according to Garcia.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Unfortunately, these new voters are not using government issued ID but barangay certification,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

Nevertheless, Garcia noted that the Supreme Court ruled that barangay certification is acceptable in absence of any government IDs.

“But we think, with all due respect to all of them, the usage of barangay certification is being abused,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

The United Nationalists Alliance, a party led by Sen. Nancy Binay who is gunning for Makati City’s mayoral seat, on Monday questioned before Comelec the validity of the qualifications of 3,000 registrants in the 2nd district and 79 more in the 1st district.

Garcia said similar irregularities were observed in the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Cagayan de Oro and Batangas.

He said the poll body learned that “as high as 40 percent of the total number of registered voters” were found to be irregular in some areas.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

The Comelec has formed a task force to probe such cases.

TAGS: Comelec, Philippine Elections

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.