Seventeen female inmates cast ballots inside Naga district jail

By Ana-Liza Sapinoso Macatangay

“Joyce,” a 49-year-old inmate at the Naga City District Jail’s Female Dormitory, expressed her gratitude for being able to exercise her right to vote, thanks to the special polling center set up within the facility.

“Ugmahon po akong maray dahil I was given a chance to vote. Dawa po yaon ako igde sa laog, at least na practice ko ang constitutional right ko na magkaigwa nin ambag sa komunidad ang vote ko,” Joyce said.

(I am happy because I had the opportunity to vote. Even though I’m inside the facility, I was able to exercise my constitutional right and contribute to the community through my vote.)

Senior Jail Inspector Chona Seno, the acting warden of the Naga City District Jail Female Dormitory, stated that eligible persons deprived of liberty (PDL) still have the right to register and vote, even while incarcerated.

This is in accordance with Comelec Resolution 9371, which outlines the rules and regulations regarding detainee registration and voting, and was approved in 2013.

“Sa ating batas, they can still exercise their right to suffrage. Kahit na nasa kulungan na sila, ay hindi pa rin sila sentensyado. May karapatan pa din silang pumili ng kanilang iboboto,” Seno added.

Seno reported that 17 inmates in the female dormitory voted, starting at 6:54 a.m. and concluding less than an hour later.“Very smooth ang voting. We were on red alert and all our personnel are on standby to ensure the security of the PDLs. The filled-up ballots were turned over to the Comelec and witnessed by personnel from the Commission on Human Rights, watchers, and volunteers,” Seno said.

“Lorraine,” another PDL who voted, also applauded the Comelec and BJMP for allowing them to exercise their right to vote even while imprisoned.

“Naugma din po ako kasi gusto mi lang po na bilang sarong PDL, matawan din kami ning pansin dawa yaon kami igde sa laog. Magayon sa pagmate na tinawan kami ning chance na ma i-boto si gusto ming kandidato. Kan nasa luwas pa po ako, nakaboto naman ako, pero ang diperensya lang nguyan nasa laog ako. Kaya maug,a talaga ako ta nagtugot ang Comelec na tawan kami nin oportunidad na maka boto,” Lorraine said.

(I’m also feeling happy because, as PDLs, we just want to receive attention even while we’re in the facility. It feels great to have the freedom to vote for the candidate of our choice. When I was outside, I was able to vote too—the only difference now is that I’m in jail. That’s why I’m thankful that the Comelec has allowed us to exercise our right to vote.)

Joyce and Lorraine have been waiting for a verdict in their cases for nearly two and a half years.

This morning, 17 female PDLs and 89 male PDLs cast their votes inside the Naga City District Jail. (LSM PIA 5) Cover photo : Courtesy of BJMP Naga