How overseas Pinoys can register to vote in 2010

OAV Primer

The Overseas Absentee Voting mechanism was implemented in the Philippines in 2003 to provide an opportunity for Filipinos abroad to exercise their right in electing the President, Vice President, Senators and one Party-list Representative. [Click on the image above to activate the interactive guide]

With over eight million of them scattered throughout the globe, overseas Filipinos could decide the result of the 2010 national elections. After Congress approved the OAV in 2003, about 300,000 Filipinos abroad registered to vote in the two-month registration period.

But this number dipped in 2006 when only 142,000 Filipinos in the 13-month registration period for the 2007 elections.

GMANews.TV prepared this short interactive primer as a guide for the Filipinos living and working abroad on the voting registration process for the 2010 national elections.

The OAV registration process opened in February 2009. The government has set a goal of 1 million OAV registrants by August 31, the last day of the registration period. Only 115,650 overseas Filipinos had signed up as of end-June.

This OAV primer is the first in a series of information materials that the Pinoy Abroad team is producing so that the voice of overseas Filipinos may be heard in the polls. - The Pinoy Abroad Team, GMANews.TV

Manila Summer Festival 2009

 

To: All Filipino Community in Riyadh

 

We are inviting everyone to come and witness the Opening Ceremony of MANILA SUMMER FESTIVAL 2009 which will officially open this July 24, 2009 at 5pm – 10pm to be held at the basement of Manila Plaza Center, Batha.

  

There will be weekly activities (every Thursday & friday) like sports tournaments, libreng tawag sa Pinas, food festival, bazaar, tiangge at iba pa.

 

See you all.

 

SE Productions 

 

 

 

Open Letter to: Hon. Phil. Consul General Ezzedin Tago

Related Posting : GMA’s Super Maids ;  Improvement at Bahay Kalinga  ;  The Other side of  Maltreatment & Abuse ;

Let us wield the power of the overseas vote

INQUIRER.net First Posted 12:37:00 07/05/2009 Filed Under: Migration, Elections, Eleksyon 2010,

Some four years ago, the Overseas Absentee Voting Act and the Dual Citizenship Act were passed by the Philippine Congress and signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The first enabled overseas Filipino immigrants to vote in Philippine elections. The second allowed those of us who had become naturalized citizens of other countries to reacquire Philippine citizenship and thus enjoy the right of suffrage, among other rights.

OFW Vote

We who live in America lobbied long and hard to have both laws passed. We said we wanted to alleviate poverty, stimulate national development, and change the culture of corruption and incompetence in government. We demanded a say in the way the country was being run because we were keeping its economy afloat with our billions in dollar remittances. And we argued that our voting potential, numbering in the millions, could place honest, competent, and dedicated leaders in office and bring about a renaissance in the Philippines.

But what has happened when we were finally given the right to vote? Of the millions that make up the overseas Filipino population, only a few disappointing thousands have bothered to register and even fewer actually voted in the last Philippine elections.

Many reasons have been given for this. Stringent election rules and requirements. The belief that our votes would not be counted anyway in an electoral process notorious for cheating. The cynical view that the incumbent rascals would simply be replaced by a new set of thieves and incompetents.

But weren’t these the very reasons why we demanded our rights as citizens? Didn’t we insist that our enlightened votes could change the status quo?

As strangers in a foreign land, we have dared uncertainties and challenges and have become masters of our own destiny. Should we now become defeatists in the face of a challenge that we are perfectly capable of confronting?

In only a few months, a crucial election will take place. In May 2010, a new president will be elected, amidst increasing poverty and growing unrest among the masses and allegations of rampant corruption, extra-judicial killings, and abuse of power. Once more we are being asked, as overseas Filipino citizens, to participate in the electoral process and help achieve the reforms that our country desperately needs.

It is not enough to send money. Not enough to criticize and complain. Let us not turn a deaf ear to the pleas of our country and people. Let us perform our sacred duty as Filipino citizens. Let us wield the power of the overseas vote.

Yes, we can elect competent and honest public officials if we cast our votes wisely. Yes, we can make our votes count by being vigilant and involved. Yes, we can help lift the Philippines from its miserable state.

The last day of registration to vote in the 2010 presidential elections is on August 31. Let us all register and vote.

We can do it. Yes, we can!

Global Nation:  Let us wield the power of the overseas vote 

****

related post:     Absentee Voters GO Out and VOTE  ; Riyadh Group Says Yes to OFW Political Party

Pilipinas, Perlas ng Silanganan

To: ALL Filipino Community in Riyadh

We cordially invite  you to watch “PILIPINAS, PERLAS NG SILANGANAN” (Mahigit Isang Daang Taon ng Makasaysayang Paglalakbay) on June 26, 2009 (Friday) at the Liwasang Bonifacio Multi-Purpose Arena of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

FREE ADMISSION!!!

Witness the Philippines rich and diverse culture through its pompous and colorful festivals celebrated in many areas of the archipelago. Show starts at 6:00pm.

Please come and watch as we celebrate the 111^th Philippine Independence Day Anniversary.

MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS!!!

From: ALCA – Artists’ League for Culture and Arts

Flower

 

Ati Atihan

Kadayawan

Magayon

Pasaway

Yesterday, I read an online news at GMANews TV  about “72 Filipinos” rounded up during a concert inside a compound in  eastern Riyadh.  Gays are not prohibited in Saudi Arabia but  display of homosexual behavior is strictly forbidden.  Such offense could suffer imprisonment and lashing for immorality.

Vice President Noli De Castro who is also the Presidential Adviser on OFW Affairs reminded OFWs to abide laws in their respective host country more particularly in Saudi Arabia.

This blogger also reminded fellow kababayan’s in KSA to respect the strict laws of the host country in an entry titled “ Immorality a Serious Offense “.

Just two weeks ago  the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in the Kingdom raided a Gambling Den (Sabongan) in Buraydah.  A total of 150 gamblers in different nationalities many of them Filipinos  were arrested during the raid.

Gambling is also strictly prohibited in the Kingdom.  Caught and if found guilty of organizing such gambling arena will be imprisoned for months, lashing and be deported to their respective country of origin and be blacklisted to enter back again in the Kingdom (see related entry “Massive Fingerprinting of Expats Begins“). 

 

 

Filipinos said ”we are smarter than other nationalities when it comes to work, we are not lazy, we are very industrious, we have bigger brains, we can invent things that can make our life more easier and safer”  that is why in every corners of the world there are Filipinos and it is true. Though sad to say that in every part of this world there are also “PASAWAY Filipinos” see more photos below.