Register to Vote for the 2010 Elections!

I'm just reposting this post from the blog of the Commission on Elections-Education and Information Department called "BagongBotante.Ph"

I urge everyone especially those new voters like me to heed my call and register to vote for the upcoming 2010 elections. After all, we need to have a say on how our government should work and who should lead it. We have witnessed on how the US Election was successfully conducted with President-elect Barack Obama occupying the White House in just a matter of weeks from now.

Here's the post:

Using biometrics technology

COMELEC to resume continuing registration of voters December 2

The Commission on Elections announced today that the continuing registration of voters in all areas nationwide, except in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), shall resume beginning December 2, 2008 to December 15, 2009.

In Resolution No. 8514 promulgated November 12, 2008, the COMELEC en banc ruled to adopt the use of biometrics technology for the purpose of “establishing a clean, complete, permanent and updated list of voters.”

“Applications for registration, transfer of registration records, reactivation and changes/corrections of entries in the registration records/inclusion of registration records/reinstatement of name in the list of voters, shall be personally filed beginning December 2, 2008 to December 15, 2009 at the Office of the Election Officer (OEO) of the district/city/municipality where the applicant resides from Monday to Friday, during regular office hours at 8:00 o’clock AM to 5:00 o’clock PM,” the resolution stated.

The COMELEC will be deploying one (1) Data Capturing Machine in every Office of the City/Municipal Election Officer to facilitate the registration.

“The continued use of biometrics technology in the registration process proves that the Commission is determined to purge the voters list,” says COMELEC spokesman James Jimenez, adding that this move is also part of the poll body’s efforts to ensure the success of the 2010 national and local elections.

Jimenez said any Filipino citizen who is at least eighteen years of age and a resident of the Philippines for at least one (1) year, and in the place where he proposes to vote, for at least six (6) months on or before the day of the election; may register to vote. Deactivated voters may also apply for reactivation of their registration records during the period prescribed, he said.

Filing of applications for registration shall be done personally at the Office of the Election Officer. Applicants will be required to present valid identification cards such as employee’s ID; postal ID; Students ID; Senior Citizen’s ID; Drivers License; NBI/PNP clearance; Passport; SSS/GSIS ID; IBP ID, PRC license etc. ###

I urge everyone to register to vote! Your support for Mar Roxas for President in 2010 would become useless if you, especially new voters like me, would not register to vote.

Remember, the registration of voters will be on December 2, 2008 to December 15, 2009 from Mondays to Fridays at 8:00 o’clock AM to 5:00 o’clock PM.

Yes, the deadline is still almost a year to go, but why wait for the most busy days of the registration? Register to vote early to prevent hassle.

Don't forget to share to me also your experience during the registration. If you have questions about the process, feel free to comment on this post and I'll address it. Thanks!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008 | posted in armm, blog, campaign, comelec, james jimenez, mar roxas | 4 comments [ More ]

Roxas to Exec: Ensure safety in ARMM polls

As there is “no material time” left for Congress to postpone the ARMM elections on August 11, Senator Mar Roxas said the administration, in coordination with the COMELEC, should instead focus on ensuring poll safety.

“There is no material time left. Eight days is not enough to pass a law. The administration should not even attempt to railroad this because it has given no clear and acceptable reasons for postponing the elections,” he said.

“Malacanang should focus instead on the most important concern -- ensure the safety of voters, candidates, teachers and other poll workers and volunteers, and, most importantly, protect public confidence in the new automated elections. Violence must not lead to a failure in the ARMM elections,” he added.

The Liberal Party President pointed out that the COMELEC has made substantial preparations for the ARMM polls, where the automated elections—a fundamental reform to democratic governance that Roxas consistently supported —will be pilot-tested.

“By railroading the postponement of the elections without even giving any viable reason, the administration is asking us to dispense with the ARMM voters’ Constitutional right to suffrage,” he said.

“What they’ve said so far is that the postponement is crucial in finally concluding the peace talks with the MILF. The Senate has yet to see anything that will justify this reason,” he added.

Roxas said the elections should push through regardless of the peace talks to strengthen ARMM voters’ belief in the electoral process. The credibility of elections in ARMM have always been doubted because of repeated incidents of goon politics, cheating, and violence against voters and poll workers, particularly public school teachers who man the election precincts.

He said the death of teacher Musa Dimasidsing in last years’ elections highlights the need to reclaim the credibility of elections in ARMM and in the country. Mr. Dimasidsing was shot to death by unidentified gunmen after exposing alleged poll fraud in Maguindanao.

Of the 121 persons killed nationwide in the 2007 polls, 63 (or 52% were classified as civilians and supporters, which include teachers. Of the 176 wounded, 116 were also of the same class. The 2004 polls was the most violent in recent years, when 148 of 189 (78% persons killed and 261 of 279 (94% persons wounded were supporters and civilians.

Monday, August 4, 2008 | posted in armed forces of the philippines, armm, comelec, mar roxas, milf, mindanao, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Mar Roxas' statement on the proposed ARMM polls postponement

"We demand complete transparency. The executive must disclose the details of the peace agreement. What did we get, what did we give up, and why is the postponement of the ARMM elections related to these points?

"Without this, any discussion on the proposal to postpone the polls will only be a futile exchange of vague statements.

"Meanwhile, we must take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of voters, teachers and volunteers who have been targets of election-related violence in the recent past."

Thursday, July 24, 2008 | posted in armed forces of the philippines, armm, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]