The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced on Tuesday that voter registration will resume in February 2027, giving eligible Filipinos an extended window to prepare for the 2028 national elections.
COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin Garcia stated in an ambush interview that the upcoming registration period is slated to run from February until September 2027. Garcia strongly urged the public to break the habit of registering at the eleventh hour.
“Next year, mahaba-habang panahon po, baka po February to September ang registration period. Sana ay huwag na po nating laging sasagarin o [hihintayin] yung huling araw,” Garcia said.
(Next year, it will be a long period, the registration period might be from February to September. I hope we do not always push it to the limit or wait for the last day.)
Acknowledging the busy schedules of citizens, the COMELEC chief emphasized that early registration prevents the inevitable gridlock at the end of the period, which often leaves latecomers cut off from the process.
“Maaaring marami rin kayong ginagawa, nagtatrabaho o yung iba nag-aaral, pero sana wag naman po yung huling araw dahil yan po ang laging nagiging sakit natin. Gusto man po namin kayong ma-accommodate, mapagbigyan, kaya lang po talagang unfortunately ay hindi po kinakaya,” he added.
(You may have many things to do, working or studying, but hopefully not on the last day because that has always been our problem. Much as we want to accommodate you and grant your requests, unfortunately, it is really impossible.)
The announcement follows apologies from COMELEC Spokesperson Rex Laudiangco on Monday regarding the chaotic final day of voter registration for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), which concluded on May 18.
Laudiangco addressed complaints from numerous citizens who lined up as early as noon but were turned away due to an early 3:00 p.m. cutoff. He explained that several COMELEC offices across Metro Manila had already reached their maximum daily capacity of 1,000 registrants early Monday morning, forcing staff to halt admissions.