OFW Party List Representative Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino urged Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to engage in the democratic process by registering for the 2025 elections as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) assured the party list lawmaker that internet voting for overseas voters in 76 foreign posts will push through for the 2025 National Elections.
According to Comelec, to confirm eligibility for the 2025 National Elections, OFWs need to verify their voter registration status. For those whose voter registration records have been deactivated due to non-participation in the past two elections, they need to reactivate their registration.
As of January 15, 2024, Comelec said it has around 1.096 million registered overseas voters. The registration period is open until September 30, 2024 (Monday).
OFWs are encouraged to visit key registration centers to complete the necessary procedures and present their Philippine passport. For those currently deployed overseas, they may visit the Philippine Embassy, Consulate General, or Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECOs – Taiwan) in their area. In the Philippines, they may visit the Comelec-OFOV Extension Office in Intramuros, Manila; DFA Consular Office NCR (Robinsons Galleria) in Pasig City; DFA Office of Consular Affairs – ASEANA Business Park in Parañaque City; Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), in Mandaluyong City; Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) in Quezon City; and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in Manila.
“As Comelec is geared up for internet voting for overseas voters, I encourage all our OFWs to maximize the opportunity to exercise their right to suffrage. But first, they must ensure that their registration status is in order. Sana ay maging kabahagi ang lahat ng ating OFWs sa kauna-unahan at makasaysayang internet voting para sa ating mga overseas voters na gagawin sa 76 out of 93 posts. Ito’y ating ipinaglaban, kasama ang Comelec, dahil batid natin ang hirap ng mga OFWs sa pagboto kada eleksyon dahil sa oras at layo ng kanilang trabaho sa mga polling places.” Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino said.
Last January 2023, Magsino filed a measure to allow internet voting for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). House Bill 6770 seeks to amend the Overseas Voting Act of 2003 (Republic Act 10590) to allow voting via email, web-based portals, and/or other internet-based technologies that will be determined suitable by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). The party list lawmaker also joined technical working groups to finetune the policy on the proposed internet voting and participated in the internet voting demonstration organized by COMELEC with the technology providers.
“Ngayong 2025, mas madali nang makakaboto ang ating OFWs sa pagpupursige ng Comelec na gawing internet-based ang pagboto ng overseas voters. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa pamunuan ng Comelec, sa pangunguna ni Chairperson Garcia at ni Commissioner Casquejo, sa pagtulak sa internet voting dahil ito’y malaking kaginhawaan sa ating mga OFWs. They can now easily exercise the right to vote for their country’s leaders and participate in this crucial process in nation-building,” said Magsino.
