BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Jail–Male Dorm announced that some one hundred ten persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are qualified to vote in the upcoming May 12, 2025 mid-term elections.
Jail Chief Inspector John Waylan Lapon, warden of the Baguio City Jail–Male Dorm, said that the qualified voters registered with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) during the conduct of the poll body’s mobile registration in the facility.
He called on all national and local candidates wanting to campaign inside the facility to signify their intention by writing to the administration so that the city jail can schedule their desired activities in the jail.
Earlier, the poll body allowed PDLs to cast their votes for their chosen national and local candidates, provided that they had not been convicted for the crimes they had been charged and that they are registered voters.
Further, the poll body will be providing the guidelines for the voting process that will have to be strictly adhered to by the PDLs when casting their votes during election day.
For the past several elections, PDLs had been allowed by the Comelec to vote by providing the facility with the personnel who administered the casting of votes among other related processes for the PDLs to exercise their right of suffrage as guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution.
The jail officer noted that all the candidates who want to campaign in the facility will be given equal opportunity for them to explain their respective platforms of governance to the PDLs.
Lapon expressed his gratitude to the city government for its unwavering support by providing the annual budget for the facility and that the continuing support being extended along with vital roles of health care and social services had been instrumental in the success of the jail’s programs and interventions.
He stipulated that the facility’s accomplishments are not just a reflection of its success as an institution but also a testament to the power of collaboration between the facility’s partners in both government and non-government organizations.
Lapon pointed out that together, they were able to show that change is not only possible but it is also essential when they work with purpose and compassion. By Dexter A. See
