The months-long voter registration period resumed on Monday, but the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is urging the public not to wait until the last minute to file their applications.

“We hope they will not wait until the end of registration,” Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said in an interview after visiting voter registration activities at Rizal Park in Manila.

He also said Filipinos should not let indignation over the corruption issues hounding the government become reason not to register.

“The hatred in your hearts, your anger, let’s just reserve it for voter registration so that we can vote,” Garcia said. “The ballot is our response to all the problems we see in our country.”

The registration will last until May 18, 2026 and will be held from Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The poll body is looking to register some 1.4 million voters during the registration period.

At the time of the interview, Garcia said they have yet to receive a report on the number of registrants that showed up during the first of voter registration.

“We are still assessing the ongoing Day 1 of the voter registration nationwide,” he said.

The next nationwide elections will be for barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth) officials on Nov. 2, 2026. (PNA)