Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 4) — For the first time, persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) will be voting in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Garcia on Monday said he met with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officials to discuss BSKE polls.
“Ibig sabihin, ‘yung mga persons deprived of liberty, ‘yun bang mga hindi pa nabibigyan ng final na judgment of conviction, ‘yun bang mga kaso ay kasalukuyan pa lang dinidinig sa mga korte, ay pupwede po silang makaboto sa ating batas,” Garcia said.
[Translation: That means those persons deprived of liberty, those who have not yet been given a final judgment of conviction, those cases that are currently being heard in the courts, they will be able to vote under our laws.]
Candidates will be allowed to drop campaign paraphernalia in jails, which will then be distributed to PDLs.
Media personnel, the Comelec citizen’s arm, and international observers may be allowed to document the exercise during election day.
Garcia also mentioned that some PDLs in the country’s prisons will also be allowed to vote.
There are 936 PDLS who are registered voters in the minimum, maximum, and medium security facilities of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, he said.
