Mayroon kang sakit — ibig bang sabihin wala ka nang boses sa gobyerno?
Para sa mga residente ng Culion Leper Colony sa Palawan, napakalaking tanong iyon noon. Culion is one of the world's oldest leprosy settlements, and for decades its residents were effectively cut off — not just geographically, but politically. Republic Act No. 6659, signed into law on June 22, 1988, answered that question clearly: hindi. Kahit nasa colony ka, qualified voter ka pa rin.
ELI5 Summary: RA 6659 says that qualified voters living in the Culion Leper Colony in Palawan have the legal right to vote for provincial officials of Palawan — just like any other registered voter in the province. It doesn't matter that they live in a colony. If they're registered, they vote. Ganun kasimple.
Real Filipino Scenario: The First-Time Voter sa Culion
Ivy ay isang 28-anyong health aide na lumaki sa Culion Island. Her mother was treated for leprosy there, and Ivy eventually settled in the community to help care for aging residents at the colony's health center.
When barangay elections came around, Ivy asked a visiting COMELEC representative if she could register — she'd heard rumors na hindi daw puwede ang mga taga-Culion bumoto dahil "espesyal" ang kanilang status.
Under Section 1 of RA 6659, Ivy is fully authorized to register and vote for the elective provincial officials of the Province of Palawan, as long as she meets the standard voter qualifications under Philippine election law. She should go to her local COMELEC office (or the nearest satellite registration), present valid ID, and register like any other Filipino citizen. Wala siyang dapat ikahiya o ikatakot.
What the Law Actually Says
RA 6659 is a short law — two sections lang — but its meaning is significant.
Section 1 states that:
"The qualified electors of the Culion Leper Colony in the Province of Palawan, who were registered as such in the May 11, 1987 national election as well as those who may qualify and register in accordance with the law in future elections, are hereby authorized to vote for the elective provincial officials of the Province of Palawan."
Key things to note:
- The law covers provincial officials specifically — the governor and vice governor, and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Palawan.
- The right extends to residents who were already registered in the May 1987 elections AND to those who would qualify and register in future elections.
- Section 2 simply states the law takes effect upon approval — which was June 22, 1988.
This law doesn't create a separate class of voters. It removes an implied barrier — the assumption that colony residents were somehow ineligible.
What This Means for You
Kung isa kang residente ng Culion, o mahal mo ang isang tao doon, ito ang bottom line:
Your home address does not disqualify you from voting.
The Philippines has had a long and painful history of isolating people with leprosy. Culion itself was established in 1906 as a forced quarantine colony. Generations of Filipinos grew up there, built lives there, and raised families — lahat sila Pilipino, lahat may karapatang bumoto.
RA 6659 makes it explicit in law: living in the colony does not strip you of your civil and political rights as a Filipino citizen. As long as you are:
- A Filipino citizen
- At least 18 years old
- A resident of the Culion area
- Not otherwise disqualified under the Omnibus Election Code
...you can register and vote.
The law specifically covers voting for provincial officials — so when Palawan holds elections for governor, vice governor, and Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, Culion residents participate in that process.
Real Filipino Scenario: "Di Naman Sila Taga-Palawan, Di Ba?"
Reggie is a 41-year-old former BPO team leader from General Santos who relocated to Puerto Princesa after retirement. He volunteers with an NGO that assists communities in Palawan, including Culion.
One day, a barangay official told him that Culion residents "don't really count" in Palawan elections because the colony is "like its own place" — hindi daw sila regular na Palawan residents.
This is wrong — and it's the exact misconception RA 6659 was designed to address. Culion is part of the Province of Palawan. Its residents are Palawan constituents. Under Section 1 of RA 6659, qualified electors of the Culion Leper Colony are explicitly authorized to vote for the elective provincial officials of Palawan. The colony's unique history doesn't carve it out of Palawan's political jurisdiction.
Reggie should document the official's statements and report the concern to COMELEC's Palawan provincial office, or contact the Commission on Human Rights if residents are being actively discouraged from registering.
What Most Filipinos Get Wrong
"Leprosy patients can't vote — they're under government care."
Mali ito. Being under medical care, living in a government-managed facility, or having a history of illness does not remove your right to vote under Philippine law. The right of suffrage under the 1987 Constitution is broad — it is only limited by specific disqualifications (like being declared incompetent by final judgment, or being convicted of certain crimes). Having or having had leprosy is not one of them.
"Culion is its own municipality, so they vote separately from Palawan."
Kulain (now officially the Municipality of Culion) is a local government unit within the Province of Palawan. Voting for provincial officials — which is what RA 6659 specifically covers — is precisely about electing officials who govern the entire province, including Culion.
"This law is outdated and no longer applies."
RA 6659 has not been repealed. Subsequent election laws like RA 8189 (Voter's Registration Act of 1996) govern the mechanics of registration, but the voting authorization under RA 6659 stands unless explicitly superseded.
"Only those registered in 1987 can vote under this law."
No. Section 1 clearly covers future registrants: "those who may qualify and register in accordance with the law in future elections." This is a continuing right, hindi isang one-time provision.
For OFWs / Para sa OFWs
Mayroon bang koneksyon sa Culion ang iyong pamilya — o ikaw mismo ay nagmula roon at ngayon ay nasa ibang bansa?
This section matters most if you are from Culion and are now working abroad as an OFW.
Can Culion-origin OFWs vote for Palawan officials?
Overseas voting in the Philippines is governed by the Overseas Voting Act (RA 9189, as amended by RA 10590). Under these laws, OFWs and other Filipinos abroad can vote in national elections — for President, Vice President, Senators, and Party-List Representatives.
However, local elections — including the provincial elections covered by RA 6659 — are generally not available under the overseas absentee voting system. This is a nationwide limitation, not specific to Culion.
What can Culion-origin OFWs do?
- If you are registered as a voter in Culion or Palawan and you are abroad during an election, your registration remains valid. You do not lose it just because you are overseas.
- Contact the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO/MWO) or the Philippine Embassy/Consulate in your country if you have questions about your voter registration status.
- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) maintains overseas voter records through the Overseas Voting Secretariat — you can reach them at ovs@comelec.gov.ph.
- If you return to the Philippines before election day, you may vote in person in your registered precinct in Culion/Palawan.
- The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) can refer you to the right agencies if you have concerns about documentation or proof of residency.
The key takeaway: your right to be a registered Palawan voter — as guaranteed under RA 6659 — does not expire while you're abroad. Pero ang overseas voting para sa lokal na opisyal ay hindi pa available sa kasalukuyan.
Real Filipino Scenario: Bumalik Si Nicole
Nicole, 34, is a construction project coordinator who has been working in Saudi Arabia for five years. She grew up in Culion, where her lola still lives. Nicole registered as a voter before she left — her registration lists her address in Culion.
She's been asking: puwede pa ba siyang bumoto para sa gobernador ng Palawan kahit nasa Saudi siya?
Under current overseas voting rules, Nicole cannot vote for provincial officials while abroad — overseas absentee voting covers national positions only. But her voter registration in Culion remains active. If Nicole returns to the Philippines before election day and is present in her registered precinct, she can vote for Palawan's provincial officials under the rights guaranteed by RA 6659.
Nicole should: (1) check her voter status at comelec.gov.ph, (2) confirm her precinct assignment at the nearest COMELEC office when she returns, and (3) bring a valid ID on election day. Her being an OFW does not erase her registration — she just needs to be physically present to cast her local vote.
What to Do if Your Rights Are Violated
Kung Pinipigilan Kang Bumoto / What to Do
Register first, if you haven't. Go to the COMELEC office in Culion or the nearest satellite registration site. Bring proof of identity and residency. Registration periods are announced ahead of elections.
Check your voter status online. Visit comelec.gov.ph and use the voter verification tool. This confirms whether your registration is active and what precinct you're assigned to.
Document any refusal or harassment. Kung may nagpigil sa iyo — barangay official man o sinuman — isulat mo ang pangalan, petsa, at nangyari. Take photos if possible.
File a complaint with COMELEC. The Commission on Elections accepts complaints about voter suppression and election law violations. Contact the COMELEC Provincial Office in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Contact the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). If you believe your rights are being violated based on your health history or residency in the colony, the CHR can investigate. Their hotline is (02) 8294-8704.
Seek help from your barangay's legal aid or an NGO. Many civil society organizations in Palawan assist marginalized communities with voter registration. Ask your barangay captain or health center for referrals.
Know that RA 6659 is the law on your side. You don't need a lawyer to assert a right that is written plainly in a law signed by the President of the Philippines.
Related Laws
- Omnibus Election Code (BP 881) — the main body of Philippine election law, including voter qualifications and disqualifications
- Voter's Registration Act of 1996 (RA 8189) — governs how Filipinos register to vote
- Overseas Absentee Voting Act (RA 9189, as amended by RA 10590) — covers how OFWs and Filipinos abroad can vote in national elections
- Philippine Leprosy Mission and Related Laws — laws governing health rights of persons affected by leprosy
- 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article V — the constitutional basis for the right of suffrage
Mga Madalas Itanong / FAQ
Q: Kung may leprosy ako o nagkaroon noon, puwede pa ba akong bumoto?
A: Oo. Walang batas sa Pilipinas na nag-aalis ng karapatang bumoto dahil sa leprosy o anumang sakit. Ang RA 6659 mismo ay nagpapatunay na ang mga residente ng Culion Leper Colony — isang komunidad na nakasentro sa history ng leprosy care — ay may buong karapatang bumoto.
Q: Para lang ba ito sa mga nakarehistro noong 1987?
A: Hindi. Section 1 ng RA 6659 ay malinaw na sinasaklaw ang mga magrerehistrong botante sa hinaharap: "those who may qualify and register in accordance with the law in future elections." Kung ikaw ay residente ng Culion at natutugunan mo ang mga pamantayan ng pagiging botante, puwede kang magrehistro ngayon.
Q: Anong mga opisyal ang maaari kong iboto bilang residente ng Culion?
A: Sa ilalim ng RA 6659, ang mga residente ng Culion ay awtorisadong bumoto para sa mga elective provincial officials ng Palawan — kasama na ang gobernador, bise-gobernador, at mga miyembro ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Para sa ibang posisyon (kongresista, barangay officials), susunod sa regular na election rules ang Culion bilang bahagi ng lalawigan.
Q: Paano kung hindi pa ako nakaalis ng Culion para makapunta sa COMELEC?
A: Ang COMELEC ay may regular na satellite registration drives sa mga probinsya, kasama na ang mga malalayong komunidad. Makipag-ugnayan sa inyong barangay captain o sa Palawan COMELEC provincial office para malaman kung kailan ang susunod na satellite registration sa inyong lugar.
Q: Maaari bang piliing huwag pabotoin ang isang tao dahil siya ay naninirahan sa leper colony?
A: Hindi legal iyon. Ang pagpigil sa isang qualified na botante mula sa pagboto ay isang paglabag sa Omnibus Election Code at sa mga karapatang sibil. Kung ito ay nangyayari, maaaring mag-file ng reklamo sa COMELEC at sa Commission on Human Rights.
Sources
- Republic Act No. 6659 — An Act Authorizing the Qualified Electors of the Culion Leper Colony to Vote in Local Elections for the Elective Provincial Officials of the Province of Palawan (June 22, 1988). The LawPhil Project, Arellano Law Foundation. (archived at)