CFO Sec. Francisco P. Acosta (4th from left) with Usec. Astravel P. Naik (3rd from left) at the MOA Signing for the Establishment of Local Field Registration Centers for Overseas Voting
There was a time in Spanish and American colonial rule when only the landed elite could vote. And only the men. As we progressed as a nation towards independence and sovereignty, we became more inclusive. In 1933, women were able to vote for the first time. Fast-forward to 70 years later in 2003, overseas Filipinos, who have been staunch partners in Philippine development and nation-building, could also already vote for the first time, subject to certain qualifications and conditions.
It is almost time, once again, to exercise our right of suffrage. And qualified Filipinos abroad have less than 3 months left to register as overseas voter for the upcoming May 2022 National Elections. Just as strongly as the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has lobbied for the passage of the overseas voting law during the 12th Congress until its signing in 2003, we, alongside other migrant-serving agencies of the government, now strongly urge our clientele, to file their applications for registration at the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate or other registration centers authorized by the COMELEC.