Lawmaker asks Senate to approve ‘early voting’ bill

By Maricel V. Cruz

CAGAYAN de Oro City Rep. Rufus

Rodriguez on Thursday urged the Senate to pass the Early Voting Bill once Congress opens its second regular session next month.

He made the appeal in reaction to the plan of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to pilot test early voting for vulnerable sectors for the Oct. 30, 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

“I suggest that our beloved senators make the approval of our House

Bill No. 7576 allowing early voting for senior citizens, persons with disability, pregnant women, and other vulnerable sector members their top priority shortly after we reconvene in July,” he said. He said the House led by Speaker Martin Romualdez is supporting the proposed law that would “provide voting convenience to members of our population who need it.”

“It is important that Congress approves the bill soon so it could be sent to the President for signing into law ahead of the October grassroots elec-