Materials on Overseas Voting

On 13 February 2003, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed the "Overseas Absentee Voting Law of 2003" (Republic Act 9189), which finally makes it possible for Overseas Filipinos to vote in Philippine elections. The Philippine Constitution of 1986 grants this right, but it took more 15 years before the implementing law was passed. This law was finally passed by the Senate and House of Representatives in response to an international campaign by Overseas Filipinos, in cooperation with allies among Philippine NGOs, media, and politicians.

Passing the bill is only half of the story, however. The next step will be for the Commission of Elections (COMELEC) to draft the law's Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). Overseas Filipino organizations and their Philippine-based allies would need to exert their influence on COMELEC in order to put in place the procedures that would ensure the maximum (and optimum) participation of Overseas Filipinos in the 2004 elections.

To make things more difficult and complicated, opponents of the law are preparing to take the case to the Supreme Court. They contend that Overseas Filipinos who are "permanent residents" in their various host countries should not be given the right to vote.

In addition, there still needs to be a massive voters' education campaign to inform Overseas Filipinos about the Absentee Voting law, and how they could participate in the election process.

Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003 (RA 9189)
signed into law on 13 February 2003

Recent Statements from Overseas Filipinos International Coalition for Overseas Filipinos Voting Rights (ICOFVR) Press Statement 10 September 2002 Pass the Absentee Voting Bill Now! PANAHON NA! Paid Advertisement (Philippines Daily Inquirer, 22 July 2002), by the International Coalition on Overseas Filipinos' Voting Rights An Open Letter on the occasion of SONA 2002 Urging Action Now on Absentee Voting Platform of Filipino Migrant Organisations in Europe , 22 July 2002 The Overseas Filipinos' Inalienable Right of Suffrage International Coalition on Overseas Filipinos' Voting Rights - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 15 March 2002 On the Provisions of the Absentee Voting Bill Mga Impormasyon Tungkol sa Sistemang Absentee Voting para sa mga Pilipino sa Abroad Kakammpi, 10 Pebrero 2002 Salient Features of HB 10720 and SB 1746 A Position Paper on the Proposed Bills to Allow Absentee Voting for Overseas Filipinos by I.F. Bagasao Statements from Philippine-based Organizations Position Paper on the Proposed Absentee Voting Act of 2001 by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Committee On Filipino Migrant Workers' Rights, August 2002 Church Pleads for the Passing of the Absentee Voting Bill CBCP Press Release, 28 January 2002 On the August 2001 Advocacy Delegation's Visit OFWs Push Hard for absentee voting bill by Jeremaiah M. Opiniano, CyberDyaryo, 25 August 2001 Petition Letter of Overseas Filipinos to the Philippine Government on our Right to Vote Overseas Filipinos Worldwide network Enfranchising Overseas Filipinos Worldwide: A Call to Action EMPOWER (Global Coalition for the Political Empowerment of Overseas Filipinos), March 2001 Appeal to Enact the Absentee Voting Bill Empowering Seven Million Migrant Filipinos for the Next Millenium Privilege Speech of Congresswoman Rosales on 10 May 1999. Implement Overseas Filipinos and Filipinas´ Right to Vote by 2001 by Migrant Initiative Right to Vote of Overseas Filipinos by Carlo Butalid

Calls to Action Urgent Appeal to Migrant Families on Absentee Voting Bill Platform of Filipino Organizations in Europe, 14 January 2002 Text of Absentee Voting Bills Senate Bill 2104: the Absentee Voting Act of 2002 (as of August 2002) House Bill 3570: the Absentee Voting Act of 2002 (as of 6 September 2002) House Bill 10720: the Absentee Voting Act of 2001 Consolidated bill at the end of 11th Congress (early 2001) House Bill 7243: the Overseas Voting Act of 1999 Introduced by Rep. Rosales at the beginning of the 11th Congress (1999) News Summaries March - September 2002 November - December 2002 January - February 2003 Opinions Related Websites Philippine Political Update Voting Rights for Filipino Migrants: Campaign Central Elagda Overseas Voting Center (PDI) Articles Posted on Other Sites Overseas Filipinos Fight for their Right to Vote by Freda Editha O. Contreras, 30 September 2002 The Absentee Voting Bill: 10 years in the making and counting? by Ann Bernadette S. Corvera, Philstar, 7 May 2002 Kumare-Kumpare Position Paper on Absentee Voting Absentee Voting for Overseas Filipinos by Gene Alcantara, Philippines Express International, 6th edition