Comelec-Cebu City holds registration in malls

CEBU, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Cebu City has reminded that registration for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections are currently conducted inside some malls in the city.

This, after it was observed on the first day of registration that many people went to the Comelec office to have themselves registered. The voter’s registration is from July 4 to 23, 2022.

Lawyer Marchel Sarno, the city’s North District election officer, said satellite voter registration is being conducted for new voters to participate in the elections scheduled on December 5, 2022.

Sarno clarified that their office will not accommodate any application for voter’s registration, but the issuance of voter’s certification will be done at the Comelec office.

“Dili ta modawat og registration diri, ato rang buhaton mag-issue ra tag certification,” said Sarno.

“Gituyo ni nato'g bulag para ma-decongest ang tawo,” he added.

Those living in the north district who would want to register may visit the Time Square Mall in Barangay Talamban from July 4 to 6; Robinsons Cybergate Cebu from July 7 to 9; Ayala Center Cebu from July 11 to 16; and Robinsons Galleria Cebu from July 18 to 23.

In the south district, the Comelec’s registration site is at the SM Seaside City Cebu from July 4 to 9 and July 11 to 16; and at Robinsons Galleria Cebu from July 18 to 23.

Sarno said new registration, transfer, correction of entry, and reactivation will be accommodated in these sites.

Barangay and SK Elections will be held on December 5 although there were proposals in the 18th Congress to postpone and instead use the money for COVID-19 response. Village elections are often postponed, with the last polls held in 2018. That means barangay officials have been on a holdover capacity since then.

The qualifications to register as an SK voter are individual must be at least 15 years old by December 5, 2022, but not over 30 years old; must be a resident of the Philippines for at least a year; and must be a resident of the barangay where he/she plans to vote for at least 6 months before the 2022 Barangay and SK Elections.

For regular voters, he/she must be 18 years old by December 5, 2022; must be a resident of the Philippines for at least a year; and must be a resident of the barangay where he/she plans to vote for at least 6 months before the 2022 Barangay and SK Elections.

The poll body said those who wish to register may get a copy of application forms beforehand through their offices or they may print the forms themselves through the Comelec website.

Aside from the application forms, applicants are reminded to bring any of the following IDs— PhilSys National ID; Employee's ID with Employer's Signature; Postal ID; PWD ID; Student's ID or Library Card signed by school authority; Senior Citizen's ID; Driver's License; NBI Clearance; Passport; SSS/GSIS ID; IBP ID; License issued by the PRC; Certificate of Confirmation issued by the NCIP for members of ICCs or IPs; Barangay Identification or Certification (with photo); and any other valid ID or proof of identification. — GMR (FREEMAN)