THE Philippine Embassy in Kuwait said thousands of Filipinos showcased solidarity in strengthening Philippine democracy as they braved a sandstorm to vote in the 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE).
The significant voter turnout and their eagerness to participate in this electoral exercise despite the bad weather may reflect an awakened patriotism among Filipinos in Kuwait as several Filipinos were at the Embassy on 06 May 2022 as early as 6:30 A.M. to line up and cast their votes.
The Embassy’s COMELEC-deputized personnel encourage voters to inform their relatives, friends and loved ones to visit the Embassy to exercise their right to suffrage.
The substantial number of Filipinos during the on-going overseas voting (OV) can likewise be attributed to the Embassy’s intensified OV omni-media campaign, where all possible platforms and avenues to disseminate information are being utilized. The Embassy tapped its media partners like Kuwait-based Pinoy Arabia ME, JASS Online Radio, MEGA Love Radio, AIM 101 Broadcast, GMA Network, ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel (TFC), and UNTV among others, as well as print media partners like The Times News, The Arab Times, Kuwait Times, and bloggers/vloggers like “OFW si BESS”, “The Morning Talk”, “Pilipino sa Kuwait” etc. have also supported the Embassy’s OV omni-media campaign.
Continuous requests for media appearances and interviews have also been accommodated by Embassy officials to invite and encourage more Filipinos in Kuwait to vote. Regular appeals and OV information dissemination to Filipino clients at the Consular Section as well as the Assistance-to-Nationals Section were done as part of the OV omni-campaign.
“I appeal to my fellow Kababayans to exercise their right of suffrage. Of course safety always comes first, but their bravery and eagerness in coming to the Embassy despite the heavy sand storm to vote is commendable. Patriotism of Filipinos here in Kuwait is evident, notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic that we all have survived and experienced considering they are also miles away from our motherland, they still want to have a voice and reshape the political landscape of the Philippines.” said Ambassador Mohd. Noordin Pendosina N. Lomondot.
As part of the Embassy’s OV omni-media campaign, an OV appeal message by Ambassador Lomomdot was disseminated to more than 200 FILCOM/FILORG through their leaders to further encourage Filipinos to vote. The same message was disseminated to other media partners, including vloggers and bloggers.
The Embassy continues to carry DFA-OVS and COMELEC’s battle-cry/slogan throughout this election period: “Let’s continue to strengthen our democracy. It’s our right and duty. LET US VOTE!’ (Patuloy natin patatagin ang ating demokrasya. Atin itong karapatan at tungkulin. HALINA’T BUMOTO!) as well as COMELEC’s election slogan: Vote S.A.F.E. Pilipinas 2022 National and Local Elections all over cyberspace via various social networking sites. S.A.F.E. stands for Secure Accurate Free And Fair Elections.all over cyberspace via various social networking sites.
The overseas election period started on 10 April 2022 to 08 May 2022 from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. from Sundays through Saturdays and holidays, and on Monday, 09 May 2022 from 8:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. The 30-day overseas voting period that ends on 09 May 2022 will allow registered Filipinos in Kuwait to cast their votes for President, Vice President, twelve (12) Senators and one (1) Party-list representative. END
