Thousands of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) across the Philippines participated in the May 2025 national elections, as confirmed by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
According to BuCor, foreign observers were present during the voting process and were assisted by prison staff and Muntinlupa City election officers. Commission on Elections chairman George Garcia also witnessed the event firsthand.
BuCor data shows that 4,125 PDLs are registered voters, with 2,135 of them coming from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa. Other participants included 924 from the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, 421 from the Leyte Regional Prison, 290 from San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm, and 140 from the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm.
Additionally, 123 voters were registered at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City, with another 92 from the CIW-Mindanao.
Qualified PDL voters include those still undergoing trial, serving short-term sentences, or appealing convictions not related to national security violations like rebellion or sedition.