Imee seeks Senate inquiry into voter registration for 2023 BSKE, cites fraud allegations

Senator Imee Marcos is seeking a Senate inquiry into the registration of voters for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), saying there are allegations of "massive" fraud.

In proposed Senate Resolution 592, Marcos cited an article stating an instance in Barangay Carmona, Makati City where the number of registered voters and registration supposedly surged by 78 percent, from 4,718 registered voters during the 2022 national elections to 8,415 voters and registration applicants for the upcoming 2023 village and youth council polls.

It was attested by its barangay chairman, Joselito Salvador, saying there was neither a recent mass migration of new residents into the barangay nor an increase in the territory of the barangay.

Marcos said the sharp rise in the numbers cannot be accounted for.

Further, Marcos said the same article indicated that Salvador challenged the applications for registration of 497 applicants and they have executed affidavits to withdraw their registrations.

It was allegedly found that these applicants reside as far as Bulacan, Zambales, Laguna and Mindoro Occidental, according to Marcos’ resolution.

“There are allegations that the purported massive fraudulent voter registrations are bankrolled by big-time businessmen, contractors, and suppliers in anticipation of the increase in the internal revenue allotment of barangays brought about by the Supreme Court’s ruling in Mandanas  vs. Executive Secretary et al,” she said.

“Concerns have been voiced out that the situation in Barangay Carmona may be happening in many other barangays all over the country,” she added.

Marcos also said there were reports in 2020 and 2022 of double or multiple registration records.

“Given the persistent problems on flying voters and fraudulent voter registrations, there is an urgent need to revisit existing election laws including, but not limited to, the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996 and the relevant portions of the Omnibus Election Code, so that necessary changes may be made in order to decisively address these long-standing issues,” she said.

In a separate statement, Marcos said the government should not allow voter registration fraud to go unchecked and become a permanent fixture in the electoral system.

Asked to comment on Marcos' resolution, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they fully support the senator's initiative.

"Truly, the foremost solution at this point is legislation," he said. — BM, GMA Integrated News