COMELEC Comm. Leonida visits Tondo satellite registration

About Fifty (50) bikers from ‘Alamid ng Maynila Motorcycle Riders Club’ and the ‘COMELEC Riderz Club’ held a motorcade this morning in Balut, Tondo to encourage residents to register as voters in the next elections and to promote the satellite registration being conducted by the poll body in Tondo’s Zone 10.

The red and black clad motorcycle riders paraded in Balut’s Five (5) Barangays while handing out pamphlets and flyers regarding the ongoing voter registration and the automation of the May 10, 2010 national and local elections. Today’s activity was spearheaded by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Education and Information Department in cooperation with the Office of the Election Officer in Manila’s First District.

“Isang malaking karangalan sa amin na idinaos dito ang satellite registration ng COMELEC,” said Brgy. 125 Capt. Delia Dumagat. She said the off-site list up drive being done in their area is greatly appreciated by her constituents especially the poor who have no money to spare for the long commute to COMELEC Manila Unit’s Office in Arroceros.

Brgy. 135 Captain and ‘Alamid ng Maynila Motorcycle Riders Club’ President German Nuñez likewise thanked the Commission for giving attention to the voters residing in the “heart of Tondo”.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa COMELEC dahil dininig nila ‘yung aming paghingi ng tulong na magkaroon ng mga satellite registration centers gaya nito; upang ng sa ganoon ay hindi na masyadong mahirapan ang mga mamamayan na pupunta pa sa COMELEC, mamamasahe pa, gitgitan doon at may nahihilo pa,” he said.

For his part, Manila 1st District Election Officer Atty. Jovencio Balanquit told the voters in Tondo that the COMELEC brings registration right at the voters’ doorstep to accommodate the broadest number of registrants especially among the first time voters.

“Kami na mismo ang lumalapit sa inyo para maging mas kombinyente na ang pagpaparehistro lalo na sa mga bagong botante, estudyante, mga manggagawa at mga nanay. Gusto rin namin ipaalam na bukas ang aming tanggapan kahit Sabado para kayo ay irehistro,” Balaquit said.

Meanwhile, COMELEC Commissioner Leonardo Leonida, who also graced the Tondo activity, extolled the Tondo community for supporting the COMELEC’s effort to encourage wider voter participation. He also had this advice for the Tondo folk who were lined up in the satellite registration center.

“Huwag po kayo mapagod sa pagpila dahil kailangan po ninyong magparehistro upang kayo’y makaboto sa 2010.”

“Piliin natin ang mga tamang mamumuno sa ating bansa. Baguhin na po natin ang dating sistema. Huwag na po tayo matakot. Huwag na po tayo magpadala sa pera. Iboto natin ang mga mahuhusay na mamumuno sa ating bansa,” said Leonida, who arrived in Tondo fresh from a voter education activity conducted by the COMELEC in Naga City. ###

Posted: 06.19.2009 LTO, Updated: 01.20.2012 JJSH