The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), led by Director General, GENERAL GREGORIO PIO P CATAPANG JR., AFP (Ret.) CESE, CCLH, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Commission on Election (COMELEC), Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to enhance voting process for Persons deprived of Liberty (PDLs) this upcoming 2025 National and Local Election (NLE) Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) and subsequent elections. The signing ceremony was held on December 12, 2024 at the Chairman’s Hall, Palacio Del Gobernador, Intramuros, Manila.
The MOA signing was hosted by the COMELEC led by Mr. GEORGE ERWIN M GARCIA, COMELEC Chairman. It was attended by Atty. PERSIDA V RUEDA-ACOSTA, Chief Public Attorney and Jail Director RUEL S RIVERA, witnessed by Ms. Aimee P. Ferolino, COMELEC Commissioner; J/CSUPT BABY NOEL P MONTALVO, BJMP Director for Operations; C/SUPT ROGER O BONCALES, New Bilibid Prison Acting Superintendent; and Ms. Ana Lisa M. Soriano, Deputy Chief, Public Attorney.
The MOA seeks to promote and implement an inclusive voting environment for PDLs, including the registration and voting process for NLE, BPE, and subsequent elections in 2025.
The BuCor and the BJMP are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the safekeeping and development of PDLs. They are also responsible for upholding the voting rights of PDLs, acknowledging it as a fundamental constitutional right.
The partnership is dedicated to actively influencing and shaping policies that promote and safeguard the constitutional right to vote of PDLs, fostering an inclusive and equitable democratic process.
