MUNTINLUPA CITY: The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) conducted a voter education activity for 2,140 registered persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. The initiative aimed to prepare PDLs for participation in the 2025 National and Local Elections.

According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec officials, led by Chairman George Erwin Garcia, included BuCor in its Info-Campaign Caravan, specifically designed for the Voter Education Activities of the Vulnerable Sectors Office. This effort is part of a broader strategy to ensure that even the most marginalized groups in society are informed and empowered to exercise their voting rights.

In a statement, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. emphasized the importance of this activity, highlighting the poll body’s dedication to ensuring that all Filipinos, regardless of their current situation, have the opportunity to express their opinions through voting. Catapang noted tha
t the activity is not just about participation but also about affirming the rights of PDLs to be informed and to make a difference in the future of the nation.

Catapang further elaborated on the significance of this opportunity for PDLs, suggesting that it helps them realize their continued membership in society despite their incarceration. He stated that BuCor strongly supports rehabilitation and reintegration, with education serving as a crucial element in this process. The chance to vote is seen as a vital step towards regaining dignity and a sense of belonging.

He concluded by stating that the endeavor goes beyond teaching the mechanics of voting. It aims to instill in PDLs the confidence that they are valuable members of society, capable of contributing to its advancement and that their voices are essential.