Comelec Commissioner George Erwin Garcia

MANILA, Philippines – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Erwin Garcia dismissed rumors that voters need to present a national ID as a requirement for voting on May 12. 

Garcia said the integrity of the elections is being repeatedly bombarded by massive misinformation and disinformation just like this one. 

“Tulad po ng pagsasabi na kailangan po ng national ID para makaboto kasinungalingan po yun. Lahat makakaboto kahit wala kang dalangang ID,” Garcia said on Monday. 

“Basta ang pangalan mo nasa listahan. sa labas ng presinto, sa loob ng presinto, sa ating precinct finder, sa voters information sheet, o sa voters assistance desk. Lahat po tayo makakaboto sa araw ng halalan,” he said. 

However he also advised that having IDs handy on the voting day is still a safeguard in case anyone gets questioned. 

“Bagamat, ipinapayo po natin na kung talaga namang may madadala tayong ID, makikidala nyo na rin. Kasi po baka biglang may mag-challenge, may mag-question sa inyong pagkatao, na isang watcher po doon, kahit paano may maipapakita po tayo. ng pagkakakilan lang,” he said. 

“Pero generally speaking, again, hindi po kailangan ng kahit na anong government issued ID,” he said. 

He cited for example another fake news that made rounds recently saying the May 12 midterm elections will be moved earlier to July 10 because of the stifling heat. Having the same format with how the national ID requirement for voting circulated, Garcia likewise dismissed the rumor as fake news. 

“Sinabi natin walang makakapigil sa kasalukuyan sa halalan sa Mayo a 12 sapagkat siya mismo ay nakalagay sa ating Saligang Batas. Tuloy na tuloy po ang halalan sa lahat ng presinto sa buong Pilipinas sa Mayo a 12 natin,” Garcia said.