“Ang ating mga kababayan ay nararapat na hayaang makapili ng mga mamumuno sa isang bukas at malayang eleksyon (Our countrymen should be allowed to choose their leaders in an open and free election)," Velasco added.

According to Velasco, the recently-held Palawan plebiscite served as a testing ground for health safety measures including temperature checks, social distancing, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for election frontliners, which may be used for the 2022 elections.

The House speaker believes that, like the country's educational system, the pandemic will most likely transform the traditional electoral system.

He said that face-to-face campaigns and town hall debates will primarily take place online.

“We must ensure, therefore, that the voice of those who have less in life, those who do not have easy access to internet-ready devices shall still be heard by the candidates,” Velasco said.

As per Velasco, the most difficult task is persuading Filipinos, particularly the youth, to exercise their democratic right to vote in next year's elections despite the current pandemic.

“Like the most effective approach to the pandemic, this challenge should also be addressed through a whole-of-nation approach,” Velasco said.

“Obligasyon po nating lahat na hikayatin ang bawat isang Filipino, lalo na ang ating mga kabataan, na magparehistro upang makaboto at sa araw ng halalan ay pumunta sa mga presinto upang makaboto nang buong laya at katapatan (It is the obligation of all of us to encourage every Filipino, especially our youth, to register to vote and on election day to go to the polls to vote freely and honestly)," he continued.

Velasco thanked the committee, chaired by Rep. Florida Robes of the lone district of San Jose del Monte in Bulacan, for organizing the forum.

Former Commission on Elections commissioner Luie Tito Guia, political strategist Malou Tiquia, and Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez were among the resource persons invited to the forum. (ENSJR/RAMJR/PIA Mimaropa)