The registration of overseas absentee voters which resumes today (Feb 11) and shall end on August 31, 2009, is marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Undersecretaries of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), at the Lounge Area/Pre-Check-in Center for departing OFWs, Naia Terminal 1, Paranaque, Manila.

Hon. NICODEMO T. FERRER, COMELEC Commissioner-in-Charge for Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) led Hon. RAFAEL E. SEGUIS, Undersecretary for Special and Ocean Concerns of the Department of Foreign Affairs/Chairman of the Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat, and Undersecretary ALFONSO G. CUSI, General Manager of the MIAA, during the ceremonies which formalize their agreements for the duration of the registration of overseas workers.

During his opening spiel, Gen. Mgr. Cusi informs the guests that “registration is also being conducted in all the 91 Foreign Service Posts including the newly opened posts in MACAU, OSLO, BARCELONEA, CHONGQING, DAMASCUS and FRANKFURT, as well as the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in AL KHOBAR and 3 Manila Economic and Cultural Offices or MECOs in TAIWAN”.

         “Filipinos, aged 18 years old and above can register for the 2010 elections,” Cusi stressed. “Registrants are required to present a valid Philippine passport and an accomplished OAV registration/certification form,” he added.

On the other hand, Undersecretary Seguis says that today “mark[s] another milestone in the history of the implementation of Republic Act 9189” (otherwise known as the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003). “During the 2005-2006 OAV Registration, a total of 47,699 OFWs registered at the NAIA Registration Center”, he emphasized. Seguis is also optimistic that the voter turnout of OAV votes for the 2010 elections will be comparatively higher than the 2004 and 2007 electoral exercises. He said that a dip in the voter turnout for national candidates during the 2007 elections may be attributed to voting for limited positions - Senatorial candidates and a Party List representative only, unlike in the forthcoming 2010 elections when the OFWs will be casting more votes for national candidates.

Moreover, Seguis said, the OAV registration aims to accomplish the following three (3) objectives: a) To entice the harmonious working relationship and friendship with COMELEC and MIAA; b) To entice as many overseas Filipinos to register and participate n the nation’s electoral process; and c) To realize our commitment to the ideals of democracy.

Finally, COMELEC Commissioner Ferrer thanked the MIAA for the office provided to the poll body at the OFWs’ pre-check-in-center and for the “full cooperation of the DFA who are manning the foreign posts”.

A MOA signing with POEA shall also take place at the POEA Registration Center for  OFWs at 2:00 o’ clock p.m., tomorrow (Feb. 12)  Ortigas, Pasig City.

Ferrer called upon all OFWs who have yet to register to personally appear at any of the registration centers abovementioned for  the  live capture of their biometrics, after presentation of a valid Philippine passport and complete accomplishment of OAV registration form. ###

Posted: 06.15.2009 LTO, Updated: 01.20.2012 JJSH