The Supreme Court lifted the temporary restraining order issued in 2016 against the Commission on Election (Comelec) and has now allowed persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to vote in the national and local elections.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, Aug. 31, acting Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said it welcomes with the utmost gratitude the SC’s resolution that dismissed the detainee voting ban that was petitioned by Atty. Victor Aguinaldo in 2015.
He said the SC’s decision will pave the way for the poll body to fully and unimpeded implement Resolution No. 9371 titled “Rules and regulations on Detainee Registration and Voting in connection with the May 13, 2013, National And Local Elections And Subsequent Elections thereafter”.
Inmates will now be allowed to register and vote in the election of national and local candidate positions.
Laudiangco said the qualified voters are as follows: PDLs confined in jail, formally charged for any crime/s, and awaiting/undergoing trial; or those serving a sentence of imprisonment for less than one year.
Other qualified detainees for voting are those whose conviction of a crime involving disloyalty to the duly constituted government, such as rebellion, sedition, violation of the firearms laws, or any crime against national security or for any other crime, is on appeal.
“In upholding the validity of Resolution No. 9371, the Supreme Court affirmed Comelec’s commitment to the rule of law, due process, fair play, and equity, and in championing the constitutional right to suffrage of all qualified Filipino citizens. This (is a) triumph of electoral inclusivity, societal equality, and non-discriminatory justice,” he said.
Laudiangco said they assure the Filipino people that they will uphold their commitment in ensuring democracy through the election and guarding the sanctity of the ballot.
