Comelec calls on PDLs to register: Voting is ‘form of justice’

Persons deprived of liberty cast their votes at Mandaluyong City Jail in Mandaluyong City on Monday, May 12, 2025. A total of 135 male and 19 female inmates exercise their right of suffrage inside the detention facility. INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday urged persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to register and vote for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), reminding them that they remain part of society and also get to choose the next leaders of the country.

Speaking at the Manila City Jail during a satellite voter registration, Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia said that it was important for the poll body to have everyone registered as voters, even those in detention, saying that being able to vote is a form of “justice.”

“There is hope, that is what it means. There is always hope in life, there is always hope because [we] will be able to vote. That only means ‘I will eventually be released’… the justice everyone is looking for, the No. 1 form of justice, is being allowed to vote,” he told the PDLs.

“So hopefully, somehow, in the coming elections, we will participate, because where is our right to complain when we don’t even vote for our leaders? Whether the Filipino people choose right or wrong, let us all remember that that is democracy in our country,” he added.

Garcia also told the PDLs to keep in mind that they remain innocent until proven guilty, which shows the “heart” of the law in the country.

“In truth, back then, PDLs were only able to vote for national positions, but there was a decision by the Supreme Court that said ‘no, even for local positions you may still vote.’ See that recognition?” Garcia said.

“You are recognized as a part of society, you are recognized as having a part in choosing who will be the leader of our country. Somehow, each of our votes, your votes are for our countrymen, siblings, and relatives outside. And someday, the time will come when, I believe, that most if not all of you will be free,” he added.

READ: Comelec: Strong turnout in first days of poll listup

Garcia noted in an ambush interview that there is interest among PDLs to vote, citing an almost 88-percent voter turnout during the last elections, according to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

“Let us all remember, even if we are not free, we still have rights, we still have our dignity, and that is our humanity and our right to vote,” he said.

The Comelec chief on Monday also conducted an inspection of sites holding its Special Register Anywhere Program, allowing Filipinos unable to return to their localities during the 10-day voter registration period for the BSKE to register.

Although the BSKE is expected to be postponed to November next year after Congress ratified a bill that extended the term of Barangay and SK officials to four years, the Comelec has continued its preparations while the bill has yet to be signed into law.

Currently, the voters’ registration period for the BSKE is ongoing from Aug. 1 to Aug. 10, with the Special Register Anywhere Program being implemented in several areas across Metro Manila from Aug. 1 to Aug. 7./mcm