By Wilnard Bacelonia

MANILA – Senator Nancy Binay on Wednesday urged for tighter legislation and the use of biometric technologies to curb abuses in the issuance of fraudulent residency certificates.
Binay made the call after data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) showed that around 1 million voters have double or multiple registrations in 2024 alone.
The Comelec has implemented measures like the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) to detect fraudulent voter registrations.
“Comelec’s biometric technology has shown us that multiple registrations can be detected. However, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia revealed during a recent Senate hearing that some barangay officials have exploited their authority, issuing residency certificates to individuals who do not meet requirements,” Binay said in a news release.
She cited the case in Makati where Comelec flagged nearly 57,000 individuals who used barangay residency certificates to transfer voter registrations to areas where they do not reside.
“We must not allow some politicians and barangay officials to exploit this system. Stricter laws on residency verification, coupled with advanced biometric technology, are necessary to safeguard the credibility of elections,” she added.
Binay said barangay officials found guilty of violating election laws could face severe consequences, including criminal liability under the Revised Penal Code, and election offenses under the Omnibus Election Code.
“Barangay officials proven guilty will face significant penalties. Transferees making false declarations are also not exempt. Both parties are under oath and can be charged with perjury and other election offenses,” Binay warned, adding that violators could face jail terms of one to six years.
She said barangay officials must exercise their authority responsibly, and lawmakers should combine stringent legislation with technological innovation to preserve the integrity of the electoral process. (PNA)