NEGRENSE Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri lauded the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to extend the voter registration by three weeks.

On Wednesday, September 29, 2021, Comelec chairman Sheriff Abas announced that they would be extending the voter registration period from October 9 to 31, 2021.

This announcement came after the Senate and the House of Representatives ratified a bill extending the voter registration period.

The Senate majority leader, in a statement, said they thanked Abas and the commission for hearing the call not just of Congress, but of the people.

Zubiri, who is the author and sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, said “judging by the packed lines at our registration sites, talagang gusto po ng maraming Pilipino na makaboto, and they deserve the chance to do so.”

The senator said the bill extends the voter registration period for thirty days after the effectivity of the act, while Comelec’s three-week extension will start only after the period for filing of certificates of candidacy, which lasts from October 1 to 8, 2021.

“We’re very happy with this decision. Ang laki ng magagawa nitong extension for our democratic process,” he said, adding that “I really hope our people take advantage of these extra three weeks, to get out, register, and eventually vote.”