But the dilemma is, if these applicants will still have to undergo the process of biometrics-taking after having submitted their application forms, the bell will have already tolled at midnight of the deadline. The next second more would render these applicants to have registered out of time, and therefore, not having registered at all, hence not qualified to vote for the National and Local Elections in May 10, 2010.
What the Election Officers did was just to gather these forms and advised the applicants to come back for the final stage of the process of registration -- the biometrics-taking. The following day, however, was a holiday. So, the next working day would be in November 3, 2009.
But what is the legal basis for Election Officers to take the biometrics of voter applicants three days after the deadline? This is the purpose for the Minute Resolution No. 09-0741 promulgated by the COMELEC En Banc on November 3, 2009. The RESOLUTION reads as follows:
MINUTE RESOLUTION No. 09-0741
IN THE MATTER OF COMPLETING THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION
FILED LAST OCTOBER 31, 2009
FILED LAST OCTOBER 31, 2009
Promulgated: 3 November 2009
In order to complete the processing of applications for registration filed last October 31, 2009, the Commission, after due deliberation, RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to direct all Election Officers concerned to continue the biometrics taking of those who filed applications for registration last October 31, 2009, on November 3, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, same day.
Let the Executive Director implement this resolution.
SO ORDERED.
(Sgd.) JOSE A.R. MELO Chairman | |
(Sgd.) RENE V. SARMIENTO Commissioner | (Sgd.) NICODEMO T. FERRER Commissioner |
(Sgd.) LUCENITO N. TAGLE Commissioner | (Sgd.) ARMANDO C. VELASCO Commissioner |
(Sgd.) ELIAS R. YUSOPH Commissioner | (Sgd.) GREGORIO Y. LARRAZABAL Commissioner |
