The Supreme Court lifted a temporary restraining order issued in 2026, which prevented the Commision on Elections (Comelec) from enforcing several provisions of Comelec Resolution 9371, which regulates the voting of detainees.
In a statement, Comelec spokesperson Atty. Rex Laudiangco said:.“In upholding the validity of Resolution No. 9371, the Supreme Court affirmed Comelec’s commitment to the rule of law, due process, fair play and equity, and in championing the constitutional right to suffrage of all qualified Filipino citizens.”
Inmates who will be allowed to register and vote in the next elections are those confined in jail, formally charged for any crime, or those awaiting or undergoing trial while inmates with an imprisonment sentence of less than one year as well as those whose conviction of crime involving disloyalty to the government such as rebellion, sedition, violation of the firearm laws or any crime against national security or for any other crime is on appeal will also be allowed.
Meanwhile, the poll body said it will ensure democracy through elections.
“We assure the Filipino people from all walks of life of Comelec’s fidelity in ensuring democracy through elections and the guarding sanctity of the ballot,” it said.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said inmates who are registered at the area where they are detained may vote there.
“Kung sakali naman po na sa ibang lugar, puwede naman sila samahan mismo ng ating mga custodian. Subalit, kinakailangan magpaalam po sa korte para ‘yung korte mismo ang magsabi na pwe-pwedeng makaboto,” Garcia said.
“Kinakailangan protektahan din, hindi lamang ‘yung security kung hindi ‘yung kapakanan, ‘yung mismong person deprived of liberty, kung sakaling sila ay pabobotohin sa presinto kung saan sila naka rehistro,” he added. (Anthony Quindoy)
