TFC, COMELEC & DFA-OAVS partner to promote overseas voting

MANILA, Philippines - After a record-breaking turnout of Filipinos during the registration period in 2012 as a result of a multi-platform campaign mounted by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs – Overseas Absentee Secretariat (DFA-OAVS) with strong support from The Filipino Channel (TFC), the agencies and the Filipino media network have entered into a landmark tripartite agreement to propagate the overseas vote further.

With an umbrella campaign entitled, Boto Mo, Kinabukasan ng Bawat Pilipino (Your Vote is the Future of Each Filipino), TFC disseminated the campaign via public service announcements (PSAs), print media and social networking sites. As a result, the turnout exceeded records for the past three elections in 2004, 2007 and 2010 in terms of new registrants among overseas Filipinos (OFs).

TFC’s Philippine country manager Edson Aguiflor said that as the Filipino network with the widest reach, TFC does not only aim to bring the best of the Philippines to every part of the world where there is a Filipino, but also aspires to be a catalyst for change for OFs and their families in the Philippines. “Consistent with the theme, we encourage our kababayans to exercise their right to suffrage and choose the nation’s next leaders who can make a difference in the lives of every Filipino,” he added.

In 2012, DFA-OAVs reported that total registration turnout hit close to a million or a total of 988,384 OFs, a milestone for a registration for a non-presidential election. DFA Usec. and OAVS chairman Jose Brillantes recognized TFC’s participation in achieving the all-time high record. He said, “We continue this cooperation with TFC because the network plays a pivotal role in bringing our campaign worldwide.  With its presence in the U.S.A., Canada, Middle East, Europe, Australia, Japan and other countries in Asia, the campaign reaches and encourages a greater number of Filipinos.” COMELEC Commissioner Lucenito Tagle echoed his sentiments, saying, “We did it in the 2012 registration. With TFC, we can even do better this year.”

This year, TFC, COMELEC and DFA-OAVs tapped Kapamilya artists like Kim Chiu and Robi Domingo, Pinoy True Stories hosts Maan Macapagal, Atom Araullo and Ted Failon. They join last year’s endorsers — Boy Abunda, Pokwang, Eric Santos, Randy Santiago and Piolo Pascual in conveying the message: “Your vote is our (every Filipino’s) future.”

Filipinos can also connect with their kababayan and fellow voters via facebook.com/KapamilyaTFC. The election period is from April 13 to May 13 (closing at 7 p.m. Manila time).  Modes of voting (depending on the country where you are situated in) include personal voting, postal voting and automated election system (AES) or automated voting. 

Voting will be conducted in the nearest Embassy, Consulate, Mission or Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) for personal voting and automated voting, while electoral ballots will be sent directly to Filipinos identified under postal voting.

For a list of Certified List of Voters (CLOV), inquire at or visit the nearest Embassy, Consulate, Mission or Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO).  For details, visit www.dfa-oavs.gov.ph, www.comelec.gov.ph/oav, www.tfc.tv/halalan2013 or www.facebook.com/KapamilyaTFC.