Vote enlistment for OFWs starts Feb. 1

By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
Posted date: January 28, 2009

MANILA, Philippines -- Starting February 1 and until August 31, Filipinos, 18 years old and above, working and living abroad, can register for the May 10, 2010 presidential and senatorial elections, a migrant watchdog said Wednesday.

The Center for Migrant Advocacy, which lobbied for extending suffrage to those who have left the country for better opportunities abroad, is reminding all its affiliates worldwide about the seven-month registration for overseas absentee voting.

"If you want change to happen, be involved. Be responsible citizens, go out and register," said CMA executive director Ellene Sana.

There are an estimated eight million Filipinos overseas, about half of whom are overseas Filipino workers under contract with their employers. But in the last two elections, less than half a million registered to vote.

Many have complained about the stringent requirements, including the need for personal appearance, which is very inconvenient for many who live and work very far away from the Philippine embassies and consulates.

But personal appearance is required for the biometrics capture of photograph, thumbprint, and signature, the CMA said.

As in previous OAV registrations, various posts abroad could conduct mobile and field registration in far areas, the CMA said.

But usually the Department of Foreign Affairs, which conducts the registration and elections for the Commission on Elections, chooses sites for this type of enlistment in places where there are many Filipinos, it said.

Other requirements include: a valid Philippine passport or in its absence, a Department of Foreign Affairs certification (as most employers of household service workers in the Middle East get their passports); an accomplished OAV registration/certification form (which can be downloaded from the Comelec website http://www.comelec.gov.ph/oav/downloadables/forms/registration.html )

Seafarers, who get to register and vote in posts where their ship may happen to be during the election period, also need to present a photocopy of Seaman's Book or proof of being a seafarer.

For Filipinos who retained or re-acquired their Filipino citizenship under Republic Act 9225 granting dual citizenship, they also need to present the original or certified true copy of the Order of Approval of Application.

In its advisory, the CMA said those who have gone abroad could go to Philippine embassies, consulates, and other foreign-service offices to register, while those in the process of leaving might do so at the Committee on OAV at the Commission on Elections, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (ground floor), and the OFW Pre-Departure Lounge of the Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Citing Comelec guidelines, CMA noted that seafarers could file their applications at any diplomatic post abroad or in Manila.

During the same period, previous registrants could also file or request for transfer of registration records; reinstatement in the National Registry of OAV; correction of wrong entries/misspelled names; withdrawal of application for registration/certification pending approval; or reactivation of registration record.

Other questions could be directed at the Comelec's Committee on Overseas Absentee Voting at (632) 522 2251, (632) 521 2952, or (632) 523 9924; and at their website, www.comelec.gov.ph, as well as at the DFA Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat at (632) 8330914 or (632) 832 8363; and at their website, www.dfa.gov.ph. The nearest Philippine embassy or consulate should also be able to provide more information.

Elections and foreign affairs officials see more Filipinos overseas enlisting and participating for the 2010 elections since it is the presidency that is at stake.