Manila - Approximately 300 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in Manila City Jail participated in Monday's Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), as reported by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
According to Philippines News Agency, the PDLs voted in a special precinct within the jail located in Sta Cruz, Manila. The turnout marked a historic milestone, as more than 31,000 PDLs nationwide are expected to exercise their voting rights. This comes after the Supreme Court lifted a restraining order last August, allowing PDLs who meet specific criteria to vote. The Omnibus Election Code disallows voting for individuals sentenced with a 'final judgment' to be imprisoned for not less than a year, those who have lost or renounced their citizenship, and those declared insane or incompetent by a competent authority.