THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) for Region XI has recorded over 300,000 applications for voter registration, transfer, and reactivation since February of this year.
During the Davao Peace and Security Press briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Lawyer Gay Enumerables reported that the total number of applications for Region XI has reached 341,739. This total includes registrations, transfers, reactivations, and corrections for the entire region.
“We don’t have a target number; the process will continue until the deadline on Sept. 3,” Enumerables said. “These are additional voters.”
She added that Comelec is still processing ongoing voter registrations.
Regarding the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) from Oct. 1 to 8, Enumerables mentioned that a recent Supreme Court decision about the BARMM might cause changes. Sulu’s status as a separate entity from BARMM could affect the schedule.
“Yesterday afternoon, officials had a meeting to discuss whether to reset the COC filing. There are discussions both for and against a reset,” Enumerables said. “If there is a reset, the timeline for preparations might change. However, if the filing proceeds as scheduled, adjustments will be necessary due to the inclusion of Sulu in the BARMM preparations, which will be reconfigured in the system. Sulu will return to Region IX.”
“We hope a decision will be made soon, as the filing period from Oct. 1 to 8 is approaching,” she added. “Our preparations are affected by this uncertainty.”
Enumerables assured that Comelec is ready to accept COCs from candidates during the designated period.
She also reminded supporters that not all supporters can be present at Comelec premises. Any violations could be considered breaches of Comelec rules.
“Early campaigning is not deemed premature because candidates are not officially recognized until the start of the campaign period,” she noted. “Unlike previous barangay elections, where candidates were considered as such upon filing their COCs, current regulations do not apply.”
Enumerables encouraged everyone to support the process.
On the other hand, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Captain Hazel Tuazon stated that they are monitoring areas that may need increased security measures.
“So far, there are no hotspots, but we continue to coordinate with Comelec and PNP as needed,” Tuazon said.
For the first district voters application will be held at the following locations: Sept. 11 at Philippine Women’s College, Sept. 17-18 at SM Ecoland, Sept. 19-20 at Ateneo de Davao University, Sept. 21 at Catalunan Grande Elementary School gym, Sept. 25 at SM Ecoland, and Sept. 26-30 at Felcris Centrale.
