Tips for a Hassle-Free Voter Registration

We've all heard the horror stories: very long lines, not enough application forms, people having to wait hours just to register for the 2010 elections. Truly an unpleasant initiation for first time voters.

But the registration process need not be a nightmare. The key is preparation and advanced planning.

I went with my younger sister Sam when she registered and it took her no more than thirty minutes to complete the process. And this despite the crowd in the Quezon City Hall.

So how did we do it? Here are some pointers:

• Fill out the application form beforehand. You can download this from the Comelec website. Fill up all three copies but do NOT sign or put your thumb marks yet.
  

• Bring a photocopy of a valid ID (driver's license, passport, school ID).
  

• Know where to go! Find out beforehand where your city or municipality comelec office is. Know your district and your barangay.
  

• Bring a pen. Even if you fill up your application form beforehand, you still have to sign this in front of the Comelec officials.

• Come early. The Comelec offices are open from 8 am to 5 pm. Avoid coming near lunch time or late afternoon.

Remember, you only have until 31 October 2009 to register. Avoid the rush and register now.

The Letter of the Law

I accompanied my sister to register for the 2010 elections this morning and saw these Bistek-branded tents outside the Comelec Quezon City office. What a blatant case of premature campaigning!

The law is pretty straight forward: it shall be unlawful for any person, whether or not a voter or candidate, or for any party, or association of persons, to engage in an election campaign or partisan political activity except during the campaign period (Ominibus Election Code, Section 80). And yet we all know that would be candidates from president all the way to municipal councilors have already been campaigning since late 2007.

And the legal loop hole they use? Section 79 of the same law that defines a candidate to be any person aspiring for or seeking an elective public office, who has filed a certificate of candidacy.

Ah yes, they are all sticklers for the law. The letter of the law, that is. No more, no less.

And so what happens to the spirit of the law? That unfortunately, does not exist for them. Their mantra seems to be as long as it is not explicitly illegal, then it's legal. To hell with propriety and morality.

So sad to have such spirit less leaders.

I hope again

The death of Cory, the outpouring of love during her wake and funeral, and the subsequent declaration of Noynoy has given me new hope for our country.

Not that I was in despair. Mine was more of apathy. Which I think is worse.

Sure there were times I was angry, indignant. Who wouldn't be? The Hello Garci scandal. The Fertilizer Scam. The NBN-ZTE Broadband Deal. But this anger would often time turn to frustration and even cynicism because those at the forefront of these anomalies' investigation didn't seem trusty worthy themselves.

But now I have hope again. Just as she did more than twenty years ago when she ran against the dictator, Cory in death has united us and has shown us that there still is hope for our country.