Comelec to go after voters who falsify addresses amid info sheets distribution

Metro Manila, Philippines - The ongoing nationwide distribution of voter’s information sheets (VIS) could help verify registered voters' addresses and potentially lead to legal action against those who misrepresent their data, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said on Wednesday, April 2.

Garcia led Comelec officials and personnel in a house-to-house distribution of VIS in Pasay City, marking the start of the distribution in Metro Manila. The distribution has already begun in other regions, including Northern Mindanao, Davao, South Central Mindanao, Caraga, and Bangsamoro.

The sheet contains the voter’s name, address, precinct number, voting instructions, and a sample ballot featuring the names of national and local candidates.

“Sa katotohanan lang, ito ay warning doon sa mga nag-claim na sila daw ay residente ng lugar na ‘yan,” Garcia said during the program launching the distribution on Wednesday morning.

“Kapag walang tumanggap na pangalang tao doon o hindi naman talaga pala taga doon o kaya itinanggi ng nasa bahay na may pangalang tao doon, halatang halata. Alam na alam namin ngayon na yun pala yung mismong sinasabi niyang residente siya doon ay hindi pala totoo,” Garcia he added.

[Translation: This serves as a warning to those who falsely claim to be residents of a certain area. If no one by that name receives the VIS, or if the household denies that such a person lives there, it becomes obvious. We can immediately tell that the claimed residency is false. Even if their registration has already been approved, we can still file a case against them because their declaration of residency was a misrepresentation.]

The poll chairman explained that the law requires voters to have a domicile address in the area where they intend to vote.

“Ang ibig sabihin, kahit po sila ay wala na dito o wala dito, lagi at lagi silang babalik sa kanilang ina, sa kanilang pinanggalingan na lugar – ito po yung domicile. Kaya dito pa rin kayo bumuboto, dito pa rin kayo pwedeng makatakbo,” Garcia explained.

[Translation: This means that even if they are not currently residing there, they always return to their place of origin – this is their domicile. That’s why they can still vote and even run for office in that area.]

Garcia said that while the individuals who misdeclared their domicile addresses cannot be immediately removed from the list of registered voters for the May 12 midterm elections, the findings can serve as evidence for filing a case and excluding the names from the voter list in the next polls.

“Pwede naman namin silang balikan ng kaso dahil yung palang ginawa nila ay misrepresentation nung sinabi nila na sila ay residente o nakatira sa bahay na ‘yan,” he added.

[Translation: We can still file a case against them because what they did was a misrepresentation when they claimed to be a resident or living in that house.]

Under the Omnibus Election Code, making false statements in a voter registration application is an election offense punishable by up to six years in prison.

Garcia admitted that while the distribution of VIS is mandated by the Omnibus Election Code, it has been overlooked in past elections – something the current poll officials aim to change. He emphasized that providing hard copies of the VIS would also help voters who cannot access their precinct details online.