CARMEN Barangay Chairperson Raineir Joaquin ‘Kikang’ Uy defended the right of registered voters in his barangay to cast their ballots, as he attended a congressional committee meeting on electoral reforms in the lower house on Wednesday.
The discussion followed a surge in registered voters in Barangay Carmen, raising concerns about the interpretation of the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) “Register Anywhere” program.
During the meeting, Representative Lordan Suan replayed a media interview in which Uy stated that voters could register anywhere as part of their constitutional right, citing the Comelec’s mandate.
“Pero yong pronouncement nang Barangay Chair na pwede kang magparehistro kahit saan kahit di ka don nakatira kasi constitutional right,” Suan said to the Comelec.
However, Comelec First District Officer Joel Dexter Nagtalon clarified that while applications can be submitted anywhere, approvals are processed by the Election Registration Board (ERB) in the applicant’s intended place of residence.
Suan challenged Uy’s interpretation, asserting that the program does not allow voters to register and vote in any location of their choice but rather aims to make registration more accessible while maintaining residency-based voting rules.
Uy defended his stance, citing Comelec briefings that he claimed promoted the program as allowing voter registration anywhere in the Philippines.
However, Comelec Task Force Head Jose Nick Mendros emphasized that registration must align with a voter’s official residence.
“You can register anywhere, but your registration must be tied to your place of residence. It doesn’t mean you can register anywhere and choose any location to vote,” Mendros explained.
Following the exchange, the meeting was suspended due to the absence of key resource persons, including Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy, who was represented by City Administrator Hilario Raagas.
