We are over seven million Filipinos and Filipinas living and working in different regions all over the world or almost 10 % of the total Philippine population. We are the hailed modern day “heroes and heroines”, but who have been deprived for eleven years now of our fundamental right to actively participate in the Philippine elections.
While the 1987 Philippine Constitution guarantees overseas Filipino/as the right to vote (Article 5, Section 2), Congress, up to this moment, has failed to pass an Enabling Law that would provide the system for its implementation.
We want to be accorded our political and civil right to vote as citizens of the Philippines. The fact that we reside and work abroad do not make us lesser Filipinos and Filipinas, and do not in anyway justify our being stripped of our fundamental right to vote. It is high time that we are seen not only as the country´s source of the much-needed Dollars ($6.4 Billion official bank remittances in 1997)! We represent a political and social bloc, whose exposures to various cultures, to different concepts and practices of democracy, to new technology make us a distinct sector that has yet to be tapped to work towards the overall development and transformation of our country.
We therefore call on our Congress, through our newly elected President, Mr. Joseph Estrada, our Congressmen and Senators to legislate an enabling law now to enforce Article 5, Sec. 2 of the Philippine Constitution in time for the 2001 elections!
We demand that the Enabling Law include the following:
1. All Philippine passport holders, working and residing abroad, of
legal age, as well as undocumented migrants, who can present a kind of
identification issued by Embassies/Consulates or from Philippine Banks
abroad, shall have access to vote beginning 2001. No minimum Philippine
residence requirement shall be imposed in order to vote.
2. Overseas Filipino/as cast their votes for national elections, and
referenda.
3. Overseas Filipino/as shall have the right to join and/or form
political parties in the Philippines, participate in information drives
and campaigns.
4. Registration and Casting of ballots shall be done in
Embassies/Consulates or in designated areas nearby, and by mail or
e-mail to one´s designated polling center.
5. Counting of ballots shall be made public right after election, the
results of which shall be immediately conveyed per diplomatic pouch to
the Philippines.
6. Representatives of migrant organizations shall be part of the local
commission on election together with representatives of
Embassies/Consulates.
We also strongly appeal to Congress to look into the possibility of letting overseas Filipino/as, who have assumed citizenships of their host countries, to participate in the Philippine election in the future (by allowing them to join certain political activities like in a referendum or by considering dual citizenship).
(For more information, pls. contact Migrant Initiative, Vic-Vic Rodriguez-Krahl, Auf den Kämpen 1, 28870 Ottersberg, Germany, Fon/Fax: 04293–1444 or LicLic Orben-Schmidt thru e-mail: orben-schmidt@web4all.de)
Name Address/Country/Organization if any Lydia Orben-Schmidt, Grabbestr.6,22765 Hamburg, Germany, Migrant Initiative (MI) Victoria Rodriguez-Krahl, Auf den Kämpen1, 28870 Ottersberg, Germany, Migrant Initiative Girlie Melgar-Körte, Wähmannstr.36,28201 Bremen, Germany, Migrant Initiative Cirila Block, Grasdoof 80,28870 Ottersberg, Germany,Migrant Initiative Carmen Taepke, Grossestr. 104,27313 Dörverden, Germany, Migrant Initiative Helen Wong, Lohmeyerstr. 25,10587 Berlin, Germany,Migrant Initiative Dr. Jade Pena, Duisburgerstr. 13, 50735 Köln, Germany, Migrant Initiative Emmalyn Liwag Kotte, Hamburgerstr. 10, 50969 Köln, Germany, Migrant Initiative Carol Anonuevo, Unesco,Feldbrunnenstr. 58,20148 Hamburg, Migrant Initiaitve, PWF 10. Marissa Paredes Haese, Wasserkrüger Weg 127b,23879 Mölln, Migrant Initiative, PWF Maria Teresa Fürcho, Schumannstr. 57, 22080 Hamburg, Germany, Migrant Initiative Nestor Bunda, Winckelmannstr. 12a, 22609 Hamburg, Germany, MI, Philstud, KR Nilo Enamno, Bernstoffstr. 155, 22767 Hamburg, Germany, MI, Philstud Joyce Salita, Schuberstr. 31, 28209 Bremen, Germany Patricia Reyes, Luisenthal 29 E Appr. 8-109, 28359 Bremen, Germany Alma Röhrs, Am Moorhof 11, 28870 Ottersberg, Germany Tessa Piper, Waltmershauser Str. 336, 28197 Bremen, Germany Dionie Mandelbaum, Papenmorrweg 40 B, 25469 Halstenbek, Germany Nora Böge,r Hoopskamp 5, 28870 Fischerhude-Ottersberg, Germany 20. Maya Butalid, Bachlaan 680, 5011 BP Tilburg, The Netherlands Yolanda Palis, 2749 Ordway St. NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA Fidel Labrador, Am Heck 23, Luübeck-Travemunde, Germany Rodolfo Concepcion, Tilsitstr. 14, 23569 Lübeck, GErmany Brenda Concepcion, Tilsitstr. 14, 23569 Lübeck, Germany Lotus Concepcion, Tilsitstr. 14, 23569 Lübeck, Germany Ver Cruz, Ehrenbergstr. 34, 22767 Hamburg, Germany Rosalinda Buenviaje, Ehrenbergstr. 34, 22767 Hamburg, Germany Charlie Dalik, c/o Ehrenbergstr. 34, 22767 Hamburg, Germany Ella Bunda, Philstud, Germany 30. Janice Meyer, Philstud, Germany Enrica Elbern, Philstud, Germany Susan Kuan, Philstud, Germany Eppie van Wittken, Philstud, Germany Gilbert Lopez, Sedanstr. 23, 20146 Germany Eduardo Calaycay, Lerchenstr. 3, 22767 Hamburg, Germany Rodrigo de la Cruz, Hellbrookstr. 39, 22305 Hamburg, Germany Isabelita de la Cruz, Hellbrookstr. 49, 22305 Hamburg, Germany Bartolome Tobias, Herrengrabernstr. 60, 20459 Hamburg, Germany Benita Tobias, Herrengrabernstr. 60, 20459 Hamburg, Germany 40. Alfredo Jebulman, Baldwinstr. 28, 20359 Hamburg, Germany Florito Malvar, Lastropsweg 7, 20255 Hamburg, Germany Elmer Manalo, Maxstr. 36, 22089 Hamburg, Germany Bernardo Villaneueva, Wagrierweg 1, 22455 Hamburg Rolando Meneru, Reinhold Meyer Str. 7, 22455, Hamburg, Germany Elizabeth Elizaga, Kieler Str. 91, 22769 Hamburg, Germany Lorna Friedrich, Christinen Str. 22, 21031 Hamburg, Germany Joselito Almacida, Hamburger Str. 47, 21465 Reinbek, Germany Conchita Heitmann, Hollandische Reihe, 22765 Hamburg, Germany Grace Tuvalles- Jacobs, Rainvilleterrasse 4, 22765 g´Hamburg, Germany 50. Ana Mae Contreras-Ramirez, Development Education, United Kingdom Myan Oeveza-Grau, Nikischtr. 20, 22761 Hamburg Wenda de Mar, Rubeerslaan 83, Harenswonde, Holland, Diwa Tessie Hontees, Ceasar Franckweg 101, Almere, Holland, Kapatiran Grace Cabactulan, Kapellaan 68, Den Hoorn, Holland, Damayan Agoth Cosip, Graan Voor Visch 13921 Hogddorf, Holland, Tropa Alice de Vera, Bolksbeckst. 71bis Utrecht, Holland, Kapatiran Wads Wijnbenrg, Celebestraat 42, 2585 TL Den Haag, Holland, Siony de Groot, Pastorijidijk 206-4 Persnis 1395 HK 4380260, Holland Arelia Kustadio, Max Hardaarburg 47, Holland, Bisdak 60. Doris Alfafara, Adm. V. Gentstr.26, Holland, Damayan H. lo Voort, Zuidlaader Brink, 7812 Glemmen 290, Holland H. v. Eysden Poslandstr. 104 a Rotterdam, Holland R. Grahmbeel, Rynbandyh 11-107 Maurk, Gouda, Holland, Bisdak R.V. S. Agarrado, Dorpsstr. 85, 2831 AW Gouderak, Holland, Bisdak Irma Galias, Korevaarstr. 27-C Leiden, Holland, Kapatiran Jaime Ayong, Hoepstr. 14, 231185 Leiden, Holland, Kapatiran Lily Isla, Wildenborch 208, 7006 HV Doetakha, Holland L. A. Rispens-Noe,l Weth. Venteweg 49, 2805 Gouda, Holland, Kapatiran B. Snyders-Japitana, Oudegracht 347, 3511 PD, Utrecht, Holland 70. Nonoy Ty, Martenstr. 58, 3067 Rotterdam Jessie C. Ligan Utrecht, Holland Malu Padilla, Utrecht, Holland A. Florentino, Weegbreestr. 239 80 EST, Holland, Damayan S. Sevellano, Weegbreestr, 239 80 EST Holland, Damayan R. Agbayani, Holland, DPA V. Agbayani, Uiterwaardenstr. 247, Holland S. N. Baneke, J. Golsstr. 3 Holland, DPA D. Abarquez, Amsterdam, Holland F.N. Gagarra, Veight, Holland, Bisdak 80. N. Verheyden, Ryen, Holland, Bisdak L. J. Rio, Holland, Damayan S. Lily Mendoza, Arizona State University, USA Raul Paulo E. Miranda, MIS, Micropac Technology Pte. Ltd., Singapore Julius Catral, Plano, Texas, USA Imelda R. Castaneda, 2930 Scioto St. #607, Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA Alice Escalante-de Cruz, Yamagata, Japan Sr. Venus Hannah Galvez, Fil-Japanese Network, Rm 101, Ryoke 1-4-6, Kawaguchi City, Japan Simeon Lara, MD, Micronesia Hedidia P. Ramos-Lara, MD, Micronesia 90. Mariesol A. Velasco-Palma, Sec. Forces Hospital, P.O. Box 3643 Ridyadh, Middle East Arlene Latayan, Singapore Air, Singapore Raoul Bantuas, Hewlett-Packard, Sunnyvale, California 94086 USA Edgar Gumabon, Folke Bernadottesväg 375, S-256 57 Ramlösa, Sweden Ramon F. Santiago, Brunei Teresita C. Santiago, Brunei Maria Eliza C. Santiago, Brunei Joselito F. Santiago, Brunei Nida A. Santiago, Brunei Candy Dizon Singapore 100. Joe Roca, Brandenton, Florida, USA Lito von Cua, Macau Judy Quiazon, Benedicto Villanueva, Jalan Siaga II No. 27-B, Pejatan, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia Mylene Schlenker, Am Sünderberg 25a Dörverden, Germany Schiela Braje, Greheweg 10, 27313 Dörverden, Germany Rosie Braje, Döhrener Weg, 27211 Bassum, Germany Espie Binayug, Alter Postweg 74, 28207 Bremen, Germany Virgie Dodenhoff, Hofkoh 4, 27404 Zeven, Germnay Carmen Bohlmann Vollmensstr. 37, Bremen, Germany 110. Dorothy Köhler, Fellendsweg 26, 28279 Bremen, Germany Luth Liebig, Dantzweg 50, 28279 Brremen, Germany Neneng Lippert, Sen. Balcke 28, 28279 Bremen, Germany Enrico Carls, Dorf Str. 11, 272299 Etelsen, Germany Nanette Gersner, Alfred Faust Str. 28, 28277 Bremen, Germany Marge Hintze, Benigsenstr. 37, 28205 Bremen, Germany Cheryl Scharley, Bockhebener Weg 52, 29640 Schneverdingen, GErmany Carmela Gäde, Blumenweg 6, 28832 Achim-Bierden, Germany Ester Schütte, Dnosselweg 2, 28870 Ottersberg, Germany Shu-Jean Herbst, Am Weserberg 25 b, 28832 Achim, Germany 120. Nelia Sieh, Waldsiedlung 3, 27404 Elsdorf, Germnay Angelita Mickisch, Zur Zwillingslinde 19, 27324 Eystrup, Germany Nene Schmale, Münsterstr. 165, 40476 Düsseldorf, Germany Aida Oertmann, Moorlandsweg 17, 27313 Dörverden, Germany Jenly Spiller, Zum Sportsplatz 21, 27313 Dörverden, Germany Jeff Barroga, Rufino Santiago Sunshine Victoria, Australia Lydia Barogo, Wiener Platz 2, 51065 Köln, Germany Lilia Adam, Rotdornallee 60, 51503 Rösrath, Germany Cora Blanco-Gracia Lübeckerstr. 7, 50858 Köln, Germany 130. M Banaybanay, Schwalbengarten 10, Bonn, Germany Marlene, Pinlac-Rodriguez, Ellesdorferstr. 19, 53179 Bonn, Germany Meriam Roß, Lupenaustr. 3, 50354 Hürth, Germany Gerry Ison, Gursäich Str. 32, Köln, Germany Sheryl de la Cruz, Köln, Germany Mitzi Barong, Troidorf, Germany Gie Dalusong, Köln, Germany Brian Hector Villa, Bonn, Germany Lhiza Ulaye, Bonn, Germany Charina Grafen, Aachenerstr. Wesseling, , Germany 140. Letecia Bürger Rheinbach, Germany Rebecca Curammey, Müllheimer Str. 54, 51469 Berg. Gladbach Renato Curammey, Müllheimer Str. 54, 51469 berg. Gladbach Ihme Besina, Müllheimer Str. 54, 51469 Berg. Gladbach Ellen Weis, Köln, Germany Carlo Butalid, Phil. Solidarity Centre, Netherlands Angelito Santos, GPA, Karpfänger Str. 1, Hamburg, Germany Adjutor Rabulan, Hamburg, Germany Tedon Aperocho, Hamburg, Germany Edwin Arano, Hamburg, Germany 150. Vivian Schantz, Hamburg Germany Analiza Wurr, Hamburg, Germany Teddy Aperocho, Hamburg, Germany Richard Uy, Hamburg Germany Betty Pama, Hamburg, Germany Praxi Werner, Lohbekstieg 30, 22529 Hamburg, Germany Martina Utne, Fomenkron 148, 22179 Hamburg, Germany Pablea Selle, Konsul Francke Str. 3, 21705 Hamburg, Germany M. Lopez, Hamburg, Germany Franziska Mikulob, Hamburg, Germany 160. Rhodalena Sanchez, Grandweg 117,22529 Hamburg Germany Jose Benzon Sanchez, Grandweg 117, 22529 Hamburg, Germany Reginald Pilapil, Hasencleverstr. 2, 22769 Hamburg, Germany Emelda Baltrusch, Curschmannstr. 37, 20251 Hamburg, Germany Alicia Baltrusch, Curschmannstr. 37, 20251 Hamburg, Germany Roderick Pilapil, Eckernförder Str. 61, 22769 Hamburg, Gemany Mateo Pempenco, Hermann Renner Str. 2A, Hamburg, Germany Reynaldo Pilapil, Eckernförder Str. 61, 22769 Hamburg Germany Buenaflor Pilapil, Eckernförder Str. 61, 22769 Hamburg Germany Joel Domingo, Leibuitzstr. 3, 22038 Hamburg, Germany 170. Marlyn Bauer, Leibuitzstr. 3, 22038 Hamburg, Germany Jessie Abella, Niedergeorgeeweder Deich 114, 21109 Hamburg, Germany Mryna Blum, Vogelhütten Deich 121 21107 Hamburg, Germany Daisy Tripphahn, Bültenblick 24, 22415 Hamburg, Germany Roger Bareng, Schrehering 34, 22089 Hamburg, Germany Richard Bareng, Schrehering 34, 22089 Hamburg, Germany Rolando Aguilar, Kroonhorst 130, Hamburg, Germany Rey Mandin, Veddelerdamm 9, 205539 Hamburg, Germany Jovie Mandin, Veddelerdamm 9, 205539 Hamburg, Germany Letecia Bock, Schöne Aussicht 21, 22085 Hamburg, Germany 180. Carol Agaran, Feldstr. 29, 20539 Hamburg, Germany Marino Agaran, Feldstr. 29, 20539 Hamburg, Germany K. Barth, Hellbrookstr. 80a, 22305 Hamburg, Germany Lady Bleckert, Fühlsbüttelerstr. 390, 22309 Hamburg, Germany Joselyn Delff, Hamburg, Germany Juanita Irrgang, Hinter der Lieth 42, 22529 Hamburg, Germany Marilou Kock, Hamburg, Germany Mae Laudehr, Hamburg, Germany J. Malke, Buchholzer Weg 254, 21079 Hamubrg N. Malke, Buchholzer Weg 254, 21079 Hamubrg 190. Divina Martens, Oderfelderstr. 7, 21049 Hamburg, Germany Vangie Meinecke, Hamburgerstr. 112-B, 22949 Hamburg, Germany Vicki Morales-Seifert, Gustav-Falke Str. 68, 20144 Hamburg, Germany Josie Pertl, Eimbütteler Chausee 44, 20259 Hamburg, Germany H. Reichardt, Ohnsorgweg 48, 22605 Hamburg, Germany J. Reichardt, Ohnsorgweg 48, 22605 Hamburg, Germany Virginia Rossen, Elmshorn, Germany Yelly Schmidt, Kleinfeld 81 a, 21140 Hamburg, Germany H. Schult, Hamburg, Germany R. Schult, Hamburg, Germany 200. AM. Seifert, Gustav-Falke Str. 68, 20144 Hamburg, Germany Teresita Thomsen, Elmshorn, Gemany Tita Ventura, Hellbrookstr. 80 a, 22305 Hamburg, Germany K. Wagner, Diesterweg Str. 30, 24521 Pinneberg, Germany L. Wagenr, Diesterweg Str. 30, 24521 Pinneberg, Germany Tess Weber, Mühlenstr. 33 a 21509 Glinde, Germany
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