THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) will no longer honor documents such as barangay clearance, community tax certificate and police clearance in the registration of voters.
Cebu election officer Ferdinand Gujilde said the issuance of a barangay clearance has become politicized and “vulnerable to abuse,” especially when elections are coming up.
The requirements for voter’s registration were highlighted as the listing up began on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019.
Some of those who went to the Comelec Cebu City offices could not register because they brought documents that Comelec no longer deemed valid.
Valid IDs
Cebu City election officer Marchel Sarno has identified some of the valid IDs the registrants can use.
These are the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID, employee’s ID, Philippine Statistics Authority certificates, and other government IDs.
Also valid are senior citizen’s ID, driver’s license, student ID, passport, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID, and postal ID.
Gujilde said Comelec has long stopped honoring the barangay clearance in voter registration.
The people who issue the barangay clearance often have political interests, he said.
“Kinsa may moisyu sa barangay clearance? Taga barangay. Kinsay molansar sa barangay? Ang incumbent barangay officials,” he said.
The community tax certificate or cedula is issued by a local government unit and may be issued by the barangay just like the barangay clearance.
If one doesn’t have any of the IDs mentioned, a prospective voter can ask a family member or a relative of fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, to vouch for him.
Glitches, delays
The first day of voter’s registration at the Comelec Cebu City north office was marked by technical glitches encountered in the signature pads.
Sarno said the computer peripherals had not been upgraded.
He said the first day of voter’s registration is usually filled with glitches, but the registration time will improve in the next few days.
Included in the voter’s registration period are first-time registration, transfer of registration, correction of entry and reactivation.
Voter registration for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in May 2020 began Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019.
The Comelec offices are open Monday to Saturday and holidays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. without lunch break.
Voter’s registration ends on Sept. 30, 2019. (SCG, HBL, JJL)