“It might be difficult to register as a voter but it is more difficult to suffer as a constituent when the wrong politician gets elected.”
This, according to Quezon City 6th District Councilor Bobby Castelo, is the tragedy awaiting citizens who will not find time to register as a voter or to reactivate their status as a voter after having been delisted.
“Less than 30% of eligible voters have so far registered. Only about 10% of deactivated voters have applied for reactivation.”
“Less than 30% of eligible voters have so far registered. Only about 10% of deactivated voters have applied for reactivation. Masyado pong mababa ang mga numerong ito. Parang lumalabas na ayaw ng mga botante lumahok sa halalan,” lamented Castelo, who is on his third and last term as Councilor.
“People need to realize that, for them to have a bigger, brighter and better future, they need to actively get involved, and one of these positive actions is to vote in elections and choose the right leaders,” added Castelo.
Recently, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced that, due to the low turnout in voter registration, they are extending registration hours on weekdays from the previous 3:00 p.m. to the new 5:00 p.m. or 5:30 p.m., depending on the respective COMELEC offices.
“Di na po 3:00 p.m. ang deadline. Makakaextend na po kami ng 5:00 p.m. hangang 5:30 p.m.,” COMELEC Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said in a radio interview.
“The COMELEC En Banc has approved overtime pay for its staff and is also considering to have voters’ registration on weekends,” added Commissioner Guanzon.
Castelo, who called on the public to register and vote and thanked the COMELEC for its move of extending office hours, said that,”Ginagawa na ng COMELEC ang papel nila, siguro naman dapat ang mga LGU at mga botante ay gampanan din ang kanya-kanyang mga tungkulin. Para sa mga LGU, baka naman pwede matulungan ang mga gustong magpa-rehistro, information dissemination campaign, libreng sakay, tulong pamasahe, at iba pa. Para sa mga botante, baka naman pwede ito bigyan ng konting panahon, dahil para naman ito sa kinabukasan nating lahat.”
“This pandemic has made life difficult for all of us. We can make it a little bit easier if those who lead us in this troubled times are the best choice we can make, and we can only do so if we are registered so we can vote.”
“Napakahirap na po ng buhay ngayon. This pandemic has made life difficult for all of us. We can make it a little bit easier if those who lead us in this troubled times are the best choice we can make, and we can only do so if we are registered so we can vote,” concluded Castelo.