“Voting has started for our land-based overseas voters.  The voting has been peaceful, well-organized and well coordinated.  Careful planning and preparation have paid off,” Secretary Albert said, adding that over 11,000 of 368,000 registered voters had already cast their votes.  “This number represents a good start.  It is just the first day of voting and I anticipate this number to rise significantly over the next four weeks,” the Secretary said.

The Secretary also commended the 2,205 election officers deputized by COMELEC from the ranks of foreign service corps, members of attached agencies of the government as well as members of the Filipino communities overseas for their spirit of volunteerism.  “I am particularly touched by the active participation
of the members of our Filipino communities overseas in helping to ensure the smooth and orderly holding of these elections,” she added.

At least 65% of the election officers appointed by COMELEC came from the Filipino communities.  Another 501 were designated as substitutes to address contingencies.  The election officers administer the ballots and conduct the counting procedures in accordance with the guidelines established by COMELEC.

While voting in the Philippines is principally administered by public school teachers, overseas absentee voting is administered jointly by members of the foreign service corps and members of the Filipino communities.  Overseas, voting sites are located at Philippine embassies, consulates, MECO and labor offices.  In view of the wide geographic distribution of overseas Filipinos, COMELEC also allows the conduct of field and satellite voting in 14 areas.

On the first voting day of the month-long election period, Secretary Albert received encouraging reports from posts abroad by the hour.  “The OAV process is one of the most challenging and logistically-intensive operations of the DFA”, she explained. “The challenge is significant in terms of capability as well as
performance of a new role never before exercised in the history of the foreign service”.

The Secretary emphasized that the elections were being carried out in full compliance with the letter and the spirit of the Overseas Absentee Voting Law. She said that NAMFREL and the political parties involved have appointed watchers and coordinators for the overseas voting.  Five political parties, the K-4, LDP, Bangon Pilipinas, Migrante International and Akbayan, have appointed watchers in at least 25 countries as of 11 April 2004.

A total of 388 watchers and 30 coordinators have been appointed by these political parties.  NAMFREL  has also mobilized watchers/coordinators in Hongkong, Dubai, Al Khobar, Riyadh, Jeddah, Singapore, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Brunei, Athens, Saipan and in Taiwan, Japan, United Kingdom, Italy and the United States.  END.