Camille Joy Uyboco chased after registration to be a voter in the next election on Saturday, the last day of the extended voter registration period.
Uyboco had difficulty with the online application, so she just took a chance and walked in.
She lined up at 10 a.m. and finished registration at 4 p.m.
“Gusto ko magparehistro kasi naniniwala ako [na] every vote counts, na ‘yong boto natin, malay natin ‘yong gusto nating manalo, ikaw nalang hinihintay, mananalo siya,” said Uyboco.
According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the extended voter registration has been successful.
From the target of an additional 300,000 registrants, up to 400,000 chased and registered.
Many of the registrants are said to be women and youths.
“We think it was generally successful. Masyadong maraming dumating at talagang dinagsa tayo,” said Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez.
The Comelec, on the other hand, admitted that other field offices ended voter registration immediately due to power outages, such as in Marawi.
But according to Jimenez, even if there is a power outage, there will be no new extension.
Despite the extension of voter registration, Jimenez insisted that the Comelec is still “on track” with the schedule for the election.
400K registered in extended voter registration: Comelec
Although the timeline is said to be tight, the Comelec is said to be making sure that the schedule will not deviate too much because they have been able to adjust.
“Kasi lahat naman ng schedule, may slack time nang kaunti para unforeseen circumstantes. Basically ngayon kinain na lahat ‘yon so talagang medyo kritikal na ngayon,” said Jimenez.
The Comelec has also released the tentative list of candidates for the 2022 election and has until November 8 to request correction if there is an error in the listed names.
Meanwhile, Comelec opposed the idea of people accepting money from candidates even if they will vote according to conscience.
“I disagree with the notion of taking the money and voting according to your conscience. Vote buying is an election offense regardless of financial situation or noble intentions,” said Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez.
“‘Di dapat ginagawa, at di dapat sina-suggest yan sa mga botante.”
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