Comelec reminds public: Voter’s ID is free

MANILA, Philippines - Voter’s identification (ID) cards are free, the Commission on Elections reminded the public yesterday.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. posted on his Twitter account @ChairBrillantes that the poll body does not charge anything for the voter’s ID.

“If you are being charged fees when you claim your voter’s ID, report it to my office. Provide picture, video or any evidence,” Brillantes said.

According to Comelec spokesman James Jimenez, around 4.5 million voter’s IDs remain unclaimed in various Comelec offices across the country.

Jimenez noted they expect the figure to increase as election officers are still submitting their report to the Comelec. He claimed the owners of these IDs could be unaware that their voter’s IDs are already available for pickup.

He added the figure was based only on the election officers who submitted their reports. Only 80 percent of the election officers have done so, Jimenez said.