Overseas Absentee Voting Registration for Filipinos Ends October 31, 2015

By Tony A. San Juan, OCT.



"Tara na kabayan, bumoto na tayo sa darating na halalan. " With this welcoming call, Filipinos in Canada especially kababayans who are still holding Philippine passports either as a Filipino national or dual citizen, are being encouraged to exercise the right of suffrage , that is to vote, in the May, 2016 national elections sa ating Inang Bayan.

In a previous announcement, the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, "encourages our Fellow Kababayans to register through the Philippine Consulate General office in Toronto , as Overseas Voter to be able to vote for the 2016 Presidential Elections" in order to choose your next national leaders. 

The Overseas Voting Act or Republic Act No. 9189 , passed on February 13, 2003, provides for a system for citizens of the Philippines to vote in election. The Act states that " all Filipino citizens abroad who are not disqualified by law and at least 18 years of age by the time of elections will be entitled to vote " but must file their application personally at the Consulate nearest their region.

A registered Overseas Absentee Voter may vote for the following positions during a presidential election: President, Vice President, Senators and Part-list representatives.

The process of free registration is from now until October 31, 2015 at the Philippine Consulate General office at: 160 Eglinton Avenue East, 7th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, Tel.  or nearest Embassy /Consulate. Personal appearance is a must as registration requires intake of a person's biometrics. Applicants should bring proof of Philippine citizenship, that is, his /her Philippine passport.

To register, applicants are advised to follow this step-by-step procedure : 1. Access or go to http:// irehistro.info or www.comelec.gov.ph or pick up a Registration Form OVF1 at your nearest Consulate ; 2. Select the type of application from the list;  3. Print and / or fill up application form;  4. Set an appointment with the Consulate or walk in during their regular office hours for filing purposes; 5. Submit personally the form ( Do not sign the accomplished / printed form yet) ; 6. Present the accomplished form to a Consular Officer for biometrics capturing ( photo, signature, fingerprint);  7. Sign the accomplished form in the presence of the COMELEC Representative at the Philippine Embassy / Consulate Office .

The following information  are required in the Application Form : Name of Applicant; Status Abroad; Citizenship; Sex; Date of Birth;  Civil Status ; Passport details ; Complete mailing address for purposes of voting; Country; Consulate .  After the submission, you will get a confirmation from COMELEC OAFS System that your application was received.

Again, please be reminded that OAV Registration (manually or online through http://irehistro.info) will be available until October 31, 2015.  For more information, please call   the Toronto Consulate at :  or you may email the Philippne COMELEC office at : . Para walang reklamo sa huli, wika nga, bumoto tayo ng marangal , maselan at mapagmahal sa ating bayang sinilangan.( T. San Juan).