The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) approved the extension of the voter registration from the initial deadline of September 30 until the end of October. This was officially announced days after the passage of House Bill 10261, a proposed measure, seeking to extend the voter registration period by one month. 

In a statement from COMELEC Spokesperson James Jimenez, he said that “Extension is from October 11 to 30, Monday-Friday, no Saturdays, except for the last day, October 30, 8 am to 5 pm. All registration services offered.”

However, COMELEC Sheriff Abas stated that registration will be suspended from October 1-8 to give way for the scheduled filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for the 2022 elections. He explained that the gap was agreed upon in consideration of the logistical and manpower needs during the filing of COCs. 

Meanwhile, the COMELEC En Banc also approved to extend the voters registration overseas from October 1-14. 

“Note that for overseas voting, the filing of COCs is not an issue, thus the extension starts immediately,” Jimenez stated.