Obey and be Part of it

President Benigno Aquino III signed RA 10367 entitled, An Act Providing Mandatory Biometrics. The law provides that a voter needs to have his or her biometrics taken in order for him/her to vote for 2016 elections. However, a number of militant group opposes the said Act because they averred that it is unconstitutional. In effect, a TRO against the RA 10367 was brought. After deliberations were made in the higher courts, the case was decided in favor of the No Bio, No Boto policy and the TRO was lifted.

According to the militant groups that opposes the policy, Act 10367 was unconstitutional because it hinders our right to suffrage (Art V, 1987 Constitution). I believe in the contrary. The fact that there was a law that defined the No Bio, No Boto policy which was signed by the President, therefore the policy cannot be declared as unconstitutional because it is written in the law. Our courts are just merely enforcing it. The 2.4 million Filipinos who are said to be affected by the policy cannot blame the government for their negligence in failing to validate their voter’s registration. The public was well informed of the policy months before the implementation. And as voters, it is incumbent upon them to have the responsibility in taking actions so that they may enforce their rights. The government had given enough time and even extensions to voters and newly registered voters to validate their registration but still failed to do their part. RA 10367 may be considered as akin to an amendment regarding the right to suffrage. The law was not violated, the government just created some changes and advancement in the due process of voting. The No Bio, No Boto policy will make the process of registration clean, permanent, complete and updated according to COMELEC.

Our government as a parent of the state, stated in the rule of parens patriae is administering its duty for the best interest of the country. As part of the state, being its people, we should take part in the enforcement of laws by adhering to it. We should embrace innovations or advancements in our system for the easement of public.