How to get voters certification; reactivation, transfer and change status

Image snippet from comelec.gov.ph | for educational purposes only

To vote is a right and a privilege which means the power to vote can be revoked to a person who committed a crime with a guilty verdict, the revocation will last until a person served an imprisonment a fine, or is given a pardon. To vote is a power and a record of citizenship it is also a requirement for a working visa in some countries.

In December 2017, Comelec stop issuing Voters IDs in the anticipation of the rollout of the National Identification System (National ID), Since then Comelec issued an alternative which is a Voters Certification to meet the demand (requirement) of other government agencies that required a person's voters record. In the Taiwan Economic Cultural Office (TECO) which is the issuing agency of working visas in Taiwan voter certification is a requirement.

Comelec rules for deactivation and reactivation of voter's record

According to Comelec rules, a person who registered and fails to vote twice consecutively in a local or national election will be deactivated for the next election unless he/she requests a reactivation before the last day of registration for the next election. To explain further; if a registered voter did not vote last 2018 (Senatorial and local) and 2019 Barangay elections he/she will automatically deactivate for the 2022 election unless he/she requested a reactivation before the 2022 election. On the other hand, if a registered voter voted in 2018 and not in 2019 or vice versa he/she will be considered an active voter for the 2022 election. 

How do they process the reactivation and change status?

To be able to get the voters certification a person must be an active voter if not then he/she should need to reactivate his/her status. A voter's reactivation requires 2 to 3 months; According to the Comelec staff in Imus Cavite, a voter's reactivation needs to be filed quarterly to be able, to sum up, all the "for reactivation" in one court hearing. [yes you read it right] A court hearing is needed for all applications of reactivation as what you read in the beginning to vote is a "right and a privilege", a court hearing is needed for them to be able to know if the person applying for reactivation is qualified for the privilege; is he/she has a good moral for the last 3 years? if not then maybe he/she will not be granted a reactivation. (no worries your attendance in a court hearing is not necessary unless ordered by the Comelec) 

How you can get voters certification?

Go to your municipal or city Comelec office where you were registered, ask the receptionist that you will be requesting a voters certification; they will be giving you a form, fill in those and submit it together with your valid ID. Voters' certification has cost Php70.00. If in case you don't know the status of your voter's record and from there you found out that you are already deactivated simply ask to reactivate your record. They will be giving you a form for you to fill in. On the other hand, if you know already that you are deactivated, you can fill in the reactivation form on the Comelec website. Download and print those, and present them to the Comelec office where you were registered. The processing will take 2 to 3 months whether it be reactivation, change status, correction of spelling, or transfer of voters' records.