Comelec seeks ban on voter registration using brgy certificates

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) wants a law prohibiting individuals from using their barangay certificates as proof of residency when they register as voters.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia on Friday said barangay certificates were being "weaponized" to register individuals without actual and real domicile or residence.

He said the Comelec does not have the discretion to refuse registrations if barangay certificates are provided, even if applicants have no government IDs.

"So, isang rekomendasyon ng panel ay gawan namin ng paraan, pakiusapan ang Kongreso na maipasa ang isang batas na kung saan ipagbabawal ang barangay certification bilang ebidensya ng residency doon sa lugar na 'yun," he said in a media briefing.

(So, one of the recommendations of the panel is for us to do something, appeal to Congress to pass a law that would prohibit barangay certifications as evidence of residency in an area.)

Meanwhile, Garcia said the Election Registration Board has also rejected the voter application of some individuals who were residents in one of the barangays that were moved from Makati to Taguig, and were attempting to return to Makati.

"Ang recommendation ng panel ay to prosecute 'yung mga responsible sa pag i-issue en masse ng walang pakundangan ng mga barangay certifications," he said.

(The recommendation of the panel is to prosecute those responsible for issuing barangay certifications en masse.)

"Sa kasalukuyan, ito ay nasa En Banc, pinag-uusapan, at umasa kayo the committee will come up with a resolution patungkol sa bagay na 'yan," he added.

(Right now, the En Banc is discussing this and you can be assured that the committee will come up with a resolution regarding this matter.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News