   


There can be no special registration for applicants who failed to register within
the prescribed period as set forth by Republic Act 8189 otherwise known as the Voter
’s Registration Ac of 1996. The exercise of the right of suffrage, as in the enjoyment
of all other rights, is subject to existing substantive and procedural requirements
embodied in our Constitution, statute books and other repositories of law. For
instance, Section 8 of RA 8189 provides that:
No registration shall, however, be conducted during the period starting one
hundred twenty (120) days before a regular election and ninety (90) days before a
special election.
Although the COMELEC may move the dates for the conduct of pre-election
acts, a Special Registration is not susceptible of performance within the prohibitive
period because such a period is intended for the inspection and verification of the
book of voters.