CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In a landmark move to promote inclusive democracy, a Special Polling Precinct was established at the Cagayan de Oro City Jail – Male Dormitory for the 2025 National and Local Elections, held on May 12, 2025, from 9:30 AM to approximately 2:00 PM.
This initiative, conducted in coordination with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), enabled Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) to exercise their constitutional right to vote in a safe, secure, and dignified manner.
The special polling activity took place at Purok Mahigugmaon, Dalawan Area, under the direct supervision of JSUPT MARLON J YMBALLA, DSC, and was facilitated by Special Electoral Board (SEB) members and BJMP personnel. A total of 173 PDL successfully cast their votes:
- District 1
- Cluster 1: 25 PDL
- Cluster 2: 31 PDL
- Cluster 3: 97 PDL
- District 2: 20 PDL
It is important to note that while 173 PDL participated, some PDL waived their right to vote, and others were no longer eligible as they had already been released prior to election day. The BJMP does not determine voter eligibility — the COMELEC is responsible for validating the list of voters. The BJMP’s role is to ensure that elections within jail facilities are conducted in a safe, orderly, and lawful manner.
The process was actively supervised by JSUPT MARLON J YMBALLA, DSC, Assistant Warden JCINSP CARLO F OBRIQUE, and Chief of Security and Control JSINSP RENE MICHAEL B GUANGCO. Monitoring the transparency of the elections were representatives from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Atty. Kristine T. Gaudiel-Gambe (Attorney IV) and Mr. Jean Claudie E. Lugatiman (Special Investigator), ensuring the protection of voting rights and dignity of PDL voters.
High-ranking BJMP officials also visited the site to oversee operations and conduct inspections. Among them were JCSUPT CESAR M LANGAWIN, BJMPRO-X Regional Director; JSUPT THOMAS AUGUSTINE H CATARATA, Chief of the Chaplaincy Service Section; and JCINSP OMAR A JALAGAT, Provincial Jail Administrator of Misamis Oriental.
Additionally, PDL from the Cagayan de Oro City Jail – Female Dormitory participated in the voting process held at the same facility, under the supervision of JSINSP Mary Rose P Pacana, Jail Warden. Their Forty (40) votes were successfully cast and recorded.
This successful collaboration among COMELEC, BJMP, and CHR reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the country’s democratic foundations through inclusive and participatory governance, even within custodial facilities.
