Never Again!

Today is the last day of voters' registration, unless COMELEC would decide to extend the deadline for a few more days.  That is, if they would consider the recent influx of prospective voters at the registration centers such as what I saw in SM MOA yesterday.

I almost got myself unregistered because of that.  If not for the declaration of half day work yesterday, my chances of going to SM MOA for that purpose would have been nil.  And mind you, I felt like a ping-pong ball being tossed by the guards when I asked for directions to the satellite registration center.  I was already worried then as it was almost 5pm and I knew the registration center would be open only up to 6pm that day.  Alas, when I found the place, the door was already closed as they only accommodated a maximum number of 800 registrants.  I was advised to come back early the following day.  I asked how early, and the lady guard answered that there was already a queue as early as 4am.  What?!  And to make matters worse, the giving out of priority numbers starts at 830am, while the processing commences at 9am. Que horror!

No, I'm not going to make a sacrifice just like that.  Never again!  I would have registered long time ago and not waited for a few days before the deadline, if not for the hectic schedule.  I didn't had the chance to register when a registration activity was scheduled right within the convenience of our condominium as I was just leaving for Rome then.  Nor was the time when the same was also previously scheduled in SM MOA.  Blame it to my confusion with the date.  And when I learned from the local COMELEC office that  they will have another schedule in SM MOA on the last week of October, I just waited for that.  And the half day work yesterday would have been the perfect time for me..

While I was staring at the signages, a man approached me and asked if I would want to register.  When I said yes, he then gave me a piece of paper, which says "357".  I realized it was a priority number!  He then advised me to immediately go inside the center and do my thing.  So, I flashed the paper at the guard and he then let me in.  Inside, the line was looooong!  I wanted to back out as I remember the traumatic experience I went through when I registered in Taguig six (6) years ago.  I just held on knowing that this would be my only chance..

Exercising My Right

It's almost three hours already since the Barangay Elections started.  Until now, I am still contemplating whether to go out and vote or just stay at home.  Actually, the reason why I am hesitant to go to the polling precinct is because I do not know yet if I am already a registered voter.  If you had read my last year's post, I mentioned about my struggle and even to the point of braving the typhoon just to make it to the last night (err day) of registration.

Anyway, I checked the COMELEC website and searched for name.  And I found nada.  But, I'm still hopeful.  I'm giving myself the benefit of the doubt that maybe, just maybe, COMELEC has not updated its database of registered voters.

I was told that my neighbors, with whom I was with during that fateful registration night, found their names in the list of voters and hence, they were able to vote during the May 2010 elections.  With that small piece of information, there's a spark of hope that, just like them, I might have already been successfully registered.

I guess I'll just give it a try and march to the voting center anytime before three o'clock in the afternoon. :)

By the way, should you want to verify your name at the COMELEC website, please click this.

Voters' Registration Bruhaha

Weeks before the deadline of voters' registration, I was already considering transferring my registration from Surigao to Taguig since I might not be able to go to my hometown on election day, anyway.  But then, I hesitated as I got feedbacks that the process of registering would not be easy.  On the eve of typhoon Santi (October 30), I found out too late that, just the night before, the barangay accommodated most of my neighbors at the Police Station for their Police Clearance and they were already scheduled to march to COMELEC the following night.

Knowing my dilemma, the President (of our homeowners' association) took pity on me and accompanied me to the zone leader.  I was lucky enough that I was able to secure the needed Police Clearance without too much effort.  I was relieved further when I saw some of my neigbors as it was already about nine o'clock in the evening then.  The problem started when we were ferried to the barangay hall and waited for (censored!) while I could hear the rain threatening to pour flood-potential water in the area.  Right after we got we wanted, we were advised to proceed directly to COMELEC.  And it was almost midnight!

My neighbors and I (all are beautiful ladies! hehehe) decided to go home as we were already afraid that Santi might join us at the COMELEC office.  Nevertheless, we agreed to meet at seven o'clock the following day.  But then when I woke up that morning, the wind was making scary sounds outside.  Hence, I let Santi do his job while I nestled in bed and slept.  At almost noontime, my neighbors and I trooped to the barangay hall and proceeded immediately to COMELEC office.

There, we were greeted with bad news from acquaintances who just survived the recent Taguig COMELEC stampede.  Good thing, all their bones and skins remained intact.  Hehehe.  Anyway, we were informed that the COMELEC decided to defer the registration to November 3 due to power interruption..

Well, i should say, my registration efforts were swept away by typhoon Santi just like that.  The following day, November 1, I was on my way to my hometown for a week-long vacation.  I guess, I am meant to be in Surigao City on Election Day.  :)