Comelec calls on prisoners to register, vote in BSKE

Commission on Elections chief George Garcia —Photo by Marianne Bermudez

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Garcia on Monday urged prisoners to register so they can vote in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), as he reminded them that despite being incarcerated, they remain part of society.

“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,” Garcia told inmates at the Manila City Jail, where the Comelec opened a satellite voter registration center.

He said it was important for the Comelec to have everyone registered as voters, even those in detention, saying that being able to vote is a form of “justice.”

READ: Comelec: No decline in registration as BSKE postponement looms

“There is hope, that is what it means. There is always hope in life because [we] will be able to vote. That only means ‘I will eventually be released’ … the justice everyone is looking for, the number 1 form of justice, is being allowed to vote,” he added.

“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 made the right or wrong choice, let us all remember that this is democracy in our country,” he said.

Voters may register until Aug. 10 for the BSKE, which may be reset to November next year after Congress approved a bill extending the term of barangay and youth leaders to four years. The bill, however, has yet to be signed into law.