1.3 M Pinoys abroad vote today

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 1,367,067 registered Filipino voters abroad begin casting their votes today.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday voting would be automated in 30 of 85 Philippine posts.

Comelec records show that 593,772 overseas Filipino voters are in the Middle East and Africa, 344,848 in Asia Pacific, 275,729 in North and Latin America and 161,718 in Europe.   

Voting was cancelled in posts in Tripoli, Damascus and Baghdad, where there are a combined 3,106 voters. To prevent their disenfranchisement, they are allowed to vote in adjacent posts.

A total of 49,360 voters abroad are seafarers while 1,323,641 are land-based workers.

With the start of the overseas absentee voting (OAV) today, the Comelec reminded all candidates that campaigning abroad is no longer allowed. 

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said even if campaigning is still going on in the Philippines, candidates are now barred from campaigning overseas.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 9981, campaigning abroad is banned during the voting period for OAV from April 9 to May 9.

But local campaigning for both local and national positions will run until May 7. 

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said the Comelec is using Skype to help the Special Boards of Elections Inspectors (SBEIs) who are administering the overseas elections. 

Bautista added that through Skype, the SBEIs could communicate directly with the designated personnel of the Comelec in case they have questions on the conduct of the elections. 

Pastoral letter

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMIP) yesterday issued a pastoral letter to guide overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on what qualifications to look for in a candidate.

CBCP-ECMIP reminded them to support candidates who would help create employment in the country and respect their rights.

CBCP-ECMIP chairman Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos said the pastoral letter would be sent to all overseas chaplains and pastoral workers.

He cited four “Ps” that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) should look for in the candidates: programa sa trabaho (program for work); pangangalaga sa buhay at sa inyong mga mahal sa buhay na naiwan (care for you and for the love ones that you left behind); paggalang sa inyo at sa inyong karapatang pagkatao (respect for your rights) and pagpaparusa sa mga nanglilinlang, umabuso at nagpahamak sa inyo (punishment for those who tricked and placed your life in peril). – With Evelyn Macairan