22 March 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today praised the Philippine Embassies in Pretoria, Africa and Islamabad, Pakistan who have given the thumbs up signifying their full readiness for the overseas absentee voting.

The Philippine Embassy in Pretoria opened its doors on the first day of voting on Friday, 12 March 2004, Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes Jr. said. The Embassy was informed and advised by the OAV Secretariat this month that three seafarer’s destination had been diverted and that they would therefore be scheduled to vote in South Africa. In light of this development, the Embassy made all the necessary preparations and installed the voting/polling precincts earlier than scheduled to conduct elections for the seafarers.

In Islamabad, Ambassador Jorge V. Arizabal has announced that the Philippine Embassy is ready to provide election related services starting 11 April 2004. He has invited members of the Filipino community who have registered to check for their names in the certified list of voters released by COMELEC.

Both Embassies have made sure that all relevant information, including the COMELEC primer with the certified list of candidates, and notices concerning the 2004 election, particularly the certified list of overseas absentee voters approved by COMELEC were disseminated to the Filipino communities.

“I commend Ambassadors Reyes and Arizabal plus their dedicated officers and staff for their commitment to our citizen’s conduct of their democratic right to vote abroad,” Secretary Albert said. “I am fully confident in their preparations and readiness.” - END