Comelec approves absentee voting applicants from CFO

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved 632 applications for overseas absentee voting filed through the mobile registration desk set up at the Commission on Filipinos Overseas in Pasay City, election officials recently announced.

The applications were processed at the CFO main office and were vetted by the Comelec’s Resident Election Registrations Board.

Ian Michael Geonanga, director of the Comelec Office for Overseas Voting, formalized the announcement in a letter addressed to CFO Chairperson, Secretary Dante "Klink" Ang II. 

“The CFO’s support has been instrumental in ensuring accessible registration for Filipinos bound abroad,” he said.

The applications were received from Jan. 18 to March 31. The mobile registration desk at the CFO was established to streamline the voting application process for Filipinos preparing to emigrate or travel abroad.

Under the current Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) registration guidelines, any Filipino citizen who expects to be abroad during the designated voting period, is at least 18 years of age on the day of the election, and is not otherwise disqualified by law, is eligible to register.

Applicants registering through local field conversion desks or mobile booths must present a valid Philippine passport. In the absence of a passport, applicants may submit a Seaman’s Book or a certification from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) or the CFO confirming their citizenship and upcoming departure.

For dual citizens, Comelec guidelines require the presentation of the original or a certified true copy of the Order of Approval or the Identification Certificate issued by the Bureau of Immigration or a Philippine foreign post under the Dual Citizenship Law (Republic Act 9225).

The integration of mobile desks in departure-related agencies like the CFO aims to capture voters before they leave the country, mitigating lower registration turnouts often seen at foreign embassies and consulates.

Approved registrants will be added to the National Registry of Overseas Voters and will be eligible to cast their ballots for president, vice president, senators, and party-list representatives in the upcoming national elections. Voting for overseas Filipinos is traditionally conducted safely over a month-long period ahead of the domestic election day, either via mail or in person at designated foreign service posts.

About the Commission on Filipinos Overseas

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), established under Batas Pambansa 79, is dedicated to the welfare and empowerment of Filipinos permanently residing abroad. It is distinct from the Department of Migrant Workers, which primarily addresses the needs of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and other temporary migrants.

The CFO, which is an agency under the Office of the President, works to strengthen the political, economic, and cultural ties of global Filipinos with their home country. Its primary stakeholders include Filipino permanent migrants, dual citizens, spouses and partners of foreign nationals, participants of the US Exchange Visitor Program, participants of Au Pair Program for Europe, and Filipino descendants overseas.

For more information, please contact Atty. Jan Karlo Magracia of the Office of the  Secretary at jkmagracia@cfo.gov.ph