12 April 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today said that she found most inspiring the fact that senior citizens and the youth were among the first to cast their ballots as voting began for the land-based overseas Filipinos.

“I am deeply moved and inspired by the high sense of civic duty and love for our country shown by our overseas Filipino seniors and youth who trooped to the precincts at our foreign service posts during the first day of the overseas absentee voting for our land-based Filipinos,” Secretary Albert said.  98-year old Mrs. Toribia E. Lopez who voted in Guam, was the most senior voter on the first day of voting while 18-year old Christopher Van Opstal who voted in Sydney, was the youngest.

The most senior overseas absentee voter, Mrs. Toribia E. Lopez, cast her ballot at the Philippine Consulate General in Agana, Guam.  Mrs. Lopez will celebrate her 99th birthday this month. Mrs. Lopez said that she was eager to participate in the election process. “This is why I am very glad that now, overseas voting already exists. Otherwise, I would have missed voting this election since I am a registered voter in Binan,” she said.

In Guam, the Philippine Consulate General in Agana welcomed its first two voters at 10:30 a.m.  The Post’s first voters were a retired couple from Dededo village, 75-year old Mr. Moses C. Mabute and his wife Loreto, 73 years old.  The couple, who hailed from Mankayan, Benguet, have been permanent residents of Guam. Mrs. Mabute is a retired school teacher who has herself a former SBEI Chairperson in past Philippine elections.

After casting her vote, Mrs. Mabute expressed elation at the opportunity to choose Philippine leaders even though she was far from home. “I am very happy to participate in this election. This is the first time that we will be able to vote for our chosen leaders in a different place, away from home,” Mrs. Mabute said.

Mr. Mabute could not hide his pride at being able to cast his vote.  “I am proud to have cast my vote as a Filipino. I am thankful that Congress passed this law that enables overseas voters, like me and my wife, to vote even though we are away from the country,” Mr. Mabute said.

In Sydney, 18-year old Christopher Van Opstal, who celebrated his 18th birthday just 15 days ago, became the youngest overseas absentee voter to cast his ballot so far.  Christopher van Opstal was among those who showed their enthusiasm in making their voices heard in political decision-making.  He is currently taking
up a course in media and journalism at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).  In Wellington, Mr. John Paolo Borja, a B.A. student at the Victoria University of Wellington, was also among the first to vote.

Mr. Van Opstal felt a strong sense of history after casting his vote. “When saying that the youth have a legitimate voice in shaping the future of the Philippines, I believe that by this act, I am answering the call of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, to be the fair hope of our Inang Bayan,” Mr. Van Opstal said.

Secretary Albert said that she expected registered overseas Filipinos tocontinue to cast their ballots during the month long election period. END.