MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Overseas Absentee Voting secretariat (DFA-OAVs) reported recently that the total number of new overseas absentee voter (OAV) registrants for the 2013 Philippine elections broke several records at the close of registration booths across the world.
According to DFA-OAVs official statement, the total number of OAV registrants reached 988,384 this year. Of this figure, 398,554 are new registrants while 589,830 are returning registrants.
According to DFA Usec. and OAVs chair Jose Brillantes, the increase can be attributed to the efforts of embassies, consuls, missions and Muslim Economic and Cultural Offices (MECO) all over the world and the strong support of premier global Filipino media network, The Filipino Channel (TFC). As early as September 2012, DFA-OAVS has already officially recognized TFC’s pivotal role. In a press statement, Usec. Brillantes said, “Through the promotion of TFC, voter registration notably increased. With the efforts of TFC, specifically the voice of iconic celebrities, we saw significant improvements in voter registration through promotion.â€
In 2011, overseas absentee registrants only accounted for 12 percent of the entire population of Filipinos overseas. Historically, OAV registration peaks prior to presidential elections. DFA-OAVs’ partnership with TFC, as well as with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) headed by its chairman Sixto Brillantes, encouraged Filipinos outside the Philippines to register through various avenues and with this, hoped to increase registration turnout.
Supporting the global OAV registration campaign were Kapamilya stars headed by Boy Abunda, Pokwang, Erik Santos, Randy Santiago and Piolo Pascual.
Piolo, in particular, took time out from his busy schedule to register last Oct. 12 at the Comelec Satellite Office within District 4 of Quezon City.
For details, visit TFC Facebook pages, www.dfa.gov.ph and www.comelec.gov.ph.