PH FOREIGN SERVICE POSTS IN THE AMERICAS UNDERGO TRAINING FOR RESUMPTION OF OVERSEAS VOTER REGISTRATION

Mr. Rouie Peñalba from the COMELEC discusses the final module of the three-day training on overseas voting held at the Philippine Embassy Chancery Annex on 10-12 December 2019.

PRESS RELEASE
WDC-52-2019
16 December 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and Department of Foreign Affairs-Overseas Voting Secretariat (DFA-OVS) conducted a training for designated overseas voting (OV) personnel of Philippine Foreign Service Posts (FSPs) in the Americas in preparation for the resumption of continuing voter registration overseas on 10-12 December 2019 at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. 

The three-day training, led by COMELEC Commissioner Marlon Casquejo and DFA Undersecretary Brigido Dulay, Jr., also aimed to clarify policy, procedural and budgetary concerns to ensure that the FSPs are fully equipped to handle their responsibilities related to the conduct of overseas voting. Training modules include systems overview and data policy, encryption, and troubleshooting. 

“I am sure I speak for all our embassies and consulates when I say that we remain committed to ensuring that all Filipinos, no matter where they are in the world, are empowered to exercise their right to vote and participate in our nation-building,” Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez said in his opening remarks. 

Ambassador Romualdez noted that the United States remains to have the biggest potential for registering more land-based overseas voters and that the embassy and consulates in the US would continue with their field registration activities during their consular outreach missions. 

The Ambassador also expressed the hope that in the near future, the smart use of new technology will ease the voting process and procedures for the COMELEC and DFA personnel, as well as the voters themselves, without in any way compromising the security and sanctity of the ballot. 

Overseas voter registration for the May 2022 elections resumes today, 16 December 2019, and will end on 30 September 2021. 

To register, all applicants must personally appear at the nearest Philippine Embassy/Consulate or other registration centers authorized by the COMELEC. ###

PHOTO RELEASE
WDC-146-2019
16 December 2019

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Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez delivers the opening remarks at the closing ceremony of the overseas voting training of Philippine Foreign Service Posts (FSPs) in the Americas on 12 December 2019.

PHOTO RELEASE
WDC-147-2019
16 December 2019

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COMELEC Commissioner Marlon Casquejo presents a Plaque of Appreciation to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., received by Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, at the conclusion of the OV training on 12 December 2019. Also in photo is DFA Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Brigido Dulay, Jr.

PHOTO RELEASE
WDC-148-2019
16 December 2019

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Group photo of representatives from Philippine Foreign Service Posts (FSPs) in the Americas with Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez (seated, 4th from right), DFA Undersecretary Brigido Dulay, Jr. (seated, 3rd from right), and COMELEC Commissioner Marlon Casquejo (seated, 5th from right) at the conclusion of the three-day overseas voting training held at the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC on 10-12 December 2019.