Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has announced the removal of barangay clearance from the list of requirements for voter registration. This decision comes in response to the misuse of barangay certificates by certain individuals to manipulate voter registrations.

According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia revealed this change during the monthly Balitaan forum of the Manila City Hall Reporters' Association (MACHRA) at the Harbor View Restaurant in Ermita. Garcia emphasized that barangay certificates have been used as tools for enabling "flying voters," a practice that involves the fraudulent transfer of voter registrations. To combat this issue, Comelec has decided to exclude barangay certificates as proof of residency for voter registration.

Garcia highlighted that in some cases, thousands of voters appeared to have moved between barangays due to the manipulation by certain barangay officials. The removal of the barangay certificate requirement will take effect during the voter registration period from July 1 to 11 for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). It will also apply to the voter registration planned for the 2028 presidential elections. Garcia stated that Comelec is prepared to defend this decision in the Supreme Court if necessary.

Further discussing the upcoming elections, Garcia indicated that Comelec anticipates an additional three million voter registrants for the 2028 elections, increasing the total number of voters to 71 million from the 68 million registered during the May 12 midterm elections. He also clarified that in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, candidates are recognized as such upon filing their certificates of candidacy, unlike in national and local elections where candidacy is official only at the start of the campaign period. Garcia warned potential candidates about the risks of premature campaigning before the official filing period from October 1 to 7, ahead of the BSKE scheduled for December 1, 2025.