Senator Calls for Enhanced Residency Verification to Combat Election Fraud

Senator Nancy Binay has pushed for more stringent laws and the adoption of biometric technologies to address the misuse of residency certificates in fraudulent activities. This call to action follows the revelation by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that approximately one million voters were found to have multiple registrations in 2024. The Comelec has employed the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) to identify such fraudulent activities. During a Senate hearing, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia disclosed that certain barangay officials have been abusing their power by issuing residency certificates to ineligible individuals. Binay highlighted a specific instance in Makati where nearly 57,000 people used these certificates to illegally transfer their voter registrations. She stressed the need for tougher residency verification laws and advanced biometric tools to protect the integrity of elections. Binay warned that barangay officials found guilty of such violations could face severe penalties, including criminal charges under the Revised Penal Code and election offenses under the Omnibus Election Code. She emphasized that both the officials and the individuals making false declarations could be prosecuted for perjury and other election-related crimes, facing potential jail terms ranging from one to six years. Binay urged barangay officials to act responsibly and called on lawmakers to integrate strict legislation with technological advancements to maintain the credibility of the electoral system.