Voter ID vs. Voter Certification – where things stand in 2025
For two decades the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) issued a permanent, PVC-plastic Voter ID under §10-12 of the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996 (Republic Act 8189). Printing was indefinitely suspended in January 2017 by COMELEC Resolution 10159 to avoid duplicating the soon-to-be-rolled-out Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) created by Republic Act 11055 (2018). The suspension has never been lifted, so:
- If your card was printed before 2017 it may still be waiting for pick-up; you can claim it.
- If it was never printed, or if you register today, the only document COMELEC can issue is a Voter Certification—a security-paper print-out with dry seal and QR-code that serves the same evidentiary purpose until PhilSys becomes universal. (How to Get Voter's ID or Certification Philippines, Republic Act No. 11055 - LawPhil)
I. Legal framework
| Level | Instrument | Key provisions on ID/Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Constitution | 1987 Const., Art. V | Guarantees the right of suffrage; COMELEC has a ministerial duty to “insure free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible elections”. (How to Replace a Damaged Voter's ID in the Philippines) |
| Statute | RA 8189 (1996) | §10-12: one permanent, biometrics-based voter card; §12(j): COMELEC may charge reasonable fees for certifications; §25: replacement of lost/damaged cards. (R.A. 8189 - LawPhil) |
| Statute | RA 11055 (2018) | Establishes PhilSys; PhilID to become the universal proof of identity for public transactions, including elections. (Republic Act No. 11055 - LawPhil) |
| Administrative | Selected Resolutions | 8604 (biometrics validation 2013); 9853 (continuing registration 2013); 10159 (2017 – ID printing halt); 11066 (2024 – one-day pause in certification issuance); 10963 (2024 – current continuing registration rules). ([Comelec stops voter certificate issuance |
| Jurisprudence | Bagabuyo v. COMELEC, G.R. 176970 (2008) | Clarifies that COMELEC’s compliance with statutory duties may be compelled by mandamus when ministerial. (G.R. No. 176970 - LawPhil) |
II. Who may claim a PVC Voter ID still on file?
- The registrant herself – must be active (not deactivated for failure to vote, etc.).
- An authorized representative – needs a notarized authorization letter and valid IDs for both parties.
- Overseas voters – claim through the embassy/consulate where they enrolled; passports suffice. (What to do if you’ve lost or damaged your Philippine COMELEC Voter’s ID ..., COMELEC Resolution No. 6117 - LawPhil)
III. Step-by-step procedure for claiming a printed ID
| Stage | What to do | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Verification | • Check the release list posted at the local Office of the Election Officer (OEO) or on the COMELEC website/Facebook page. | Some OEOs accept phone or e-mail inquiries; bring the tracking/acknowledgment slip if you still have it. (COMELEC PVC Voter ID Release Follow-Up Philippines) |
| 2. Prepare documents | • Any government-issued ID (passport, driver’s license, PhilID, etc.) • If representative: authorization letter + both IDs. • If the original claim stub is lost, execute an Affidavit of Loss. |
No fee is collected for mere claiming. (How to Replace a Damaged Voter's ID in the Philippines) |
| 3. Appearance | Go to the OEO that holds the card, sign the logbook, undergo biometrics verification (fingerprint scan) if required. | Overseas Filipinos appear at the consulate’s Overseas Voting Section window. (COMELEC Resolution No. 6117 - LawPhil, [File SOCEs, remove campaign materials, bets told |
| 4. Release | The clerk stamps the card “Released”, updates the voter’s database, and hands the PVC ID to the claimant. | Keep the plastic sleeve intact; laminating the ID voids security features. |
IV. If the ID is lost or damaged
Despite the print-halt, §25 of RA 8189 is still law. Replacement is possible but the document you actually receive today is a Voter Certification:
- File CEF-1R (Replacement Form) at your OEO.
- Submit: affidavit of loss/damage + one valid ID.
- Pay the ₱75 certification fee (official receipt issued under §12(j) RA 8189).
- Processing time: same-day in small OEOs; up to 5 working days in metropolitan offices. (Replacement of Lost Voter ID COMELEC Philippines, Comelec - 🗳️ HOW TO SECURE YOUR VOTER'S CERTIFICATE ..., Replacement of Lost Voter ID COMELEC Philippines)
V. Requesting a fresh Voter Certification (no existing PVC card)
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Must be in the Book of Voters and not deactivated. |
| Documents | One valid ID; if via representative, authorization letter + both IDs. |
| Fee | ₱75 (fee waived for indigents upon sworn declaration). |
| Validity | Generally one (1) year; some agencies accept only certificates issued within the last six months. |
| Where to apply | Any OEO; under the Register-Anywhere Program (RAP) you may apply in a satellite site outside your city if RAP is active. |
| Overseas | E-mail request to the embassy’s OV Secretariat; digital certificates (PDF with QR) are delivered by e-mail or printed on-site. |
Tip: avoid the last day of a registration period—COMELEC suspends certificate issuance to focus on new registrants (e.g., Resolution 11066 on 30 Sept 2024). (Comelec stops voter certificate issuance | Philstar.com)
VI. Interaction with PhilSys
- Executive Order 162 (2022) directs all government agencies to accept the PhilID as sufficient proof of identity; once the PhilSys rollout is complete, COMELEC will stop printing voter IDs altogether.
- Until every voter has a PhilID, the Voter Certification remains the poll body’s official proof of registration. (Executive Order No. 162 - LawPhil)
VII. Data privacy and security
COMELEC is a personal information controller under the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (RA 10173) and must:
- release IDs/certifications only to the data subject or a duly-authorized representative;
- keep a release log for six years; and
- redact birthdates when publishing release lists online. Non-compliance may be reported to the National Privacy Commission or the COMELEC Integrity Board. ([PDF] Mandatory Biometrics Voters' Registration - NAMFREL)
VIII. Remedies when an ID or certification is unreasonably withheld
- Administrative complaint with COMELEC Law Department (Rule 34, COMELEC Rules of Procedure).
- Mandamus in the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals citing Bagabuyo v. COMELEC—issuance of proof of registration is ministerial once requirements are met. (G.R. No. 176970 - LawPhil)
IX. Frequently asked questions (2025 edition)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I still “apply” for a new voter ID? | No. Registration continues but PVC-card production is suspended. Get a Voter Certification instead. |
| Is the old green-and-white ID still valid? | Yes. It remains a government-issued ID pursuant to RA 8189 until PhilSys fully replaces it. |
| Will COMELEC ever restart printing? | Unlikely. Budget laws since FY 2018 removed PVC-ID appropriations; policy favors PhilID. |
| What if my name is misspelled on the certification? | File a CEF-1 Correct application; corrected certificate is free if the error is COMELEC’s. (Correction of misspelled voter certification - Respicio & Co.) |
Key take-aways
- PVC cards printed before 2017 can still be claimed—bring a government ID and, if applicable, a representative’s authorization.
- All new proofs of registration are issued as Certifications for ₱75 (waivable), valid for one year, same-day in most offices.
- PhilSys will ultimately render separate voter IDs obsolete, but until then, certifications (or existing PVC cards) remain indispensable for many government and private transactions.
This article reflects COMELEC rules and jurisprudence as of 30 April 2025 and will require updating once PhilSys achieves full coverage or if COMELEC lifts Resolution 10159.