Overseas Filipinos reminded of civic duty to vote a week before poll deadline

Overseas Filipinos are being reminded of their civic duty to cast their choices for national leaders with only a week to go before the voting period for the absentee vote ends.

Rafael Seguis, Undersecretary for Special Concerns of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), said he has given instructions to all 93 Philippine embassies and consulates-general to ensure that those who signed up for the overseas absentee voting (OAV) will exercise their right to vote.

The month-long absentee vote started on April 10. Seguis said he is positive that 589,830 who had registered will beat the May 10 voting deadline.

Seguis said that as of Friday, only 80,000 were able to cast their votes. "The cooperation, assistance, and support of all Filipino community leaders and organisations are keys to ensuring the success of the OAV exercise. It is one's civic responsibility to cast his vote during elections," Seguis was quoted in reports as saying.

The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are among the countries with the highest numbers of absentee voters. Seguis also said members of the media will be allowed entry into the Embassy and Consulate General premises to observe the electoral processes.