October 5, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

After Ondoy and Pepeng devastated the country
Youth solon urges Comelec anew to extend voters registration

In light of the suspension of voters registration in towns and cities affected by Typhoon Ondoy, Kabataan Representative Raymond “Mong” Palatino today once again urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to extend the registration of new voters for the 2010 elections.

The young solon filed House Resolution 1143 to direct the Comelec to move the deadline of voters registration from October 30, 2009 to its original date of December 15, 2009 “to ensure that the people's right to suffrage is protected, especially those whose lives are severely affected by the recent calamities that have struck the nation.”

Citing news reports, Palatino said Comelec temporarily stopped accepting applications for voters registration in typhoon-stricken areas in the cities of Pasig, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Marikina, Montalban, and Rizal.

“Even if Comelec has announced that registration for these areas have resumed, some barangays remain flooded, preventing people to register. The damage brought about by Ondoy is enormous. Many flood victims will be busy recovering and rehabilitating their homes in the coming weeks, hoping to return to the normal course of their lives,” Palatino said.

He also said the suspension of registration of new voters may inevitably occur in some provinces and towns in Northern and Central Luzon affected by typhoon Pepeng.

Palatino said the need to participate in the 2010 elections becomes even more relevant and important during these times of crisis amid calamity brought on by bad governance and mismanagement of national affairs. “Filipinos saw how ineffective the current government has been during its rescue and recovery operations,” he said.

Palatino also said that the goal of registering five million new voters is realizable as the nation has witnessed the youth's desire to serve their countrymen through volunteering in relief operations.

“The youth's collective action has proven us that we can overcome any obstacle despite the failures of the government. It is now time for the youth to prove their generation's political power by registering and voting,” he said.###

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Office of Rep. Raymond ‘Mong’ Palatino
Temporary Office at 3rd Floor, Main Building
House of Representatives, Batasan Complex, Quezon City

Reference:
Kabataan Party-list Rep. Mong Palatino
Mobile: 09085927099
Email: cong.mongpalatino@gmail.com
JM Ragaza, Media Officer, 09166947806