Over 1,600 CPDRC inmates to cast vote

CEBU, Philippines — More than 1,600 Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) inmates will be casting their votes come May 13 midterm elections although only for the national candidates.

Lawyer Jerome Brillantes, Cebu provincial election supervisor, said inmates are not allowed to vote for local candidates to “avoid being influenced” by local officials.

CPDRC, the biggest jail in Cebu, is home to over 3,000 inmates or double its optimum capacity of 1,500.

The 1987 Constitution allows prisoners to exercise their right to suffrage. Under Article V of the Constitution, all citizens “not otherwise disqualified by law,” are entitled to register and vote.

Filipinos could only be disqualified from voting if they have been sentenced with “final judgment” by a court to imprisonment of not less than a year, found to be insane or incompetent, or have lost or renounced their citizenship.

Brillantes said the qualified voters have only until 3 p.m. on May 13 to cast their votes.

“We expect that there would be high voter turnout this year,” he said.

He said there will be no vote-counting machines (VCM) at the provincial penitentiary.

Brillantes said 280 electoral board (EB) members will facilitate the electoral procedures in jails across the province.

The first batch of 138 EB members has completed the training on the rules and responsibilities in facilitating prisoners or persons deprived of liberty.

The remaining EB members will undergo training and seminar on May 8. Each participant is given P1,900 transportation allowance.

Among the tasks of EB members is to bring ballots to the jail facilities. (FREEMAN)