OFWs seek amendments to Absentee Voting Law

MANILA, Philippines – Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are pushing for online voting and other amendments in the existing provisions of the Overseas Absentee Voting Law.

Ellene Sana, Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA) executive director, said the Senate should immediately pass the proposed amendments on absentee voting law to enable more Filipinos abroad to practice their right to vote.

“It is up to the Senate to act promptly on this bill. The OAV law was enacted in 2003 in the 12th Congress and we hope that this 15th Congress can deliver the necessary improvements to the law to make it a more effective tool for political empowerment of overseas Filipinos,” she said.

Sana noted that Congress has approved on third and final reading the proposed amendments and the Senate should pass its own version at the soonest possible time.

The amended OAV bill passed by the House of Representatives seeks to repeal Section 5 (d) which requires Filipino immigrants and permanent residents to execute an affidavit of intent to return and establish permanent physical residence in the Philippines.

The bill also authorizes the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to explore and adopt more efficient modes of registration and voting, including online system without doing away with postal voting and personal appearance in designated voting centers.

“The immediate passage of the bill by the Senate would greatly help in further empowering OFWs and giving them a voice in choosing the country’s next leaders,” Sana said.

Sana said their group has already talked to Senators Franklin Drilon and Kiko Pangilinan, who have expressed support for the proposed amendments to the OAV law.

The US Pinoy for Good Governance and the International Coalition for Overseas Filipinos Voting Rights echoed CMA’s call. –Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)