DAYS after the end of voter registration period, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged all registered voters Monday, November 1, to start examining the candidates in the May 2022 national and local polls.

In a social media post, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said it is now time for the vetting process of candidates to begin, with only seven months before Election Day.

"Voter registration is done. Now, you need to start thinking about what the country needs, which candidate can bring us closest to filling those needs, and what you can do to help your chosen candidates win," said Jimenez.

In a separate post, the poll official stressed that choosing their candidates is entirely up to them.

This, he said, means that they should not rely on other people, regardless of their stature, in choosing their bets.

"Voters should remember that they are the ones holding pen to ballot on Election Day -- not their priest, pastor, or minister; not their parents, teachers, or friends; not their mayor, their congressman or their president. The choices they make should be the ones they want to make," said Jimenez.

Last October 30, the extended voter registration period for the May 2022 polls ended.

The Comelec released on October 29 the tentative list of candidates/aspirants in the coming elections. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)