Senators welcome extension of voter registration period

At least four senators on Wednesday welcomed the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to extend the period of voter registration for Eleksyon 2022.

In a virtual press conference, Senator Francis Pangilinan said he is “thankful” to the poll body as it heed the call to move the deadline of the registration period.

“We are thankful na sa wakas pinakinggan tayo ng Comelec na pumayag na magkaron tayo ng extension,” he said.

(We are thankful that the Comelec finally listened to us and agreed to the extension.)

To recall, it was Pangilinan who led the filing of a resolution urging the Comelec to extend the registration period by one month.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri also welcomed the Comelec’s decision, noting the long queues of people waiting outside the registration sites in order to vote in the upcoming polls.

“We’re very happy with this decision. Ang laki ng magagawa nitong extension for our democratic process (This extension is a big help to our democratic process). And I really hope our people take advantage of these extra three weeks, to get out, register, and eventually vote,” he said.

Senator Grace Poe also acknowledged the poll body for “exercising utmost understanding and flexibility when the exigencies of the pandemic demanded it.”

“The long lines of registrants have become inspirational scenes in display of our people's perseverance not to give up on their right to vote,” she said.

“Ang pila sa pagpaparehistro, gaya ng pila sa bakuna, ay mga karapatang hindi susukuan ng ating mga kababayan,” she added.

(The lines to register, like the queues for the vaccines, are the rights that our countrymen will never give up.)

Moreover, Senator Risa Hontiveros lauded Comelec’s recent decision, saying this is a “win for all Filipinos.”

“The power of the people is undiminished. This decision remains true to the spirit of democracy because the Senate, the Congress, and especially the COMELEC, heeded the call of the people:  To have our voices heard, and to allow us to genuinely partake in paving the path to our future.  Especially in this pandemic that has taken so much from us, we must protect our right to participate in the crucible of our democracy-- the elections,” she said.

She thanked the Comelec for their hard working employees who were able to accommodate more than four million first time voters for the 2022 polls.

On Wednesday, the Comelec en banc unanimously voted for the extension of voter registration period.

Filipinos may register on October 11 to October 30,2021 after the period of filing of certificate of candidacy.

Under the original timeline of Comelec, the registration period was supposed to end on September 30.

The lawmakers, however, urged the poll body to move the deadline by end of October.—LDF, GMA News