OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING GOES FULL BLAST IN BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG  

16 April 2007 – Philippine Ambassador to the European Communities Cristina G. Ortega reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Embassy started receiving ballots cast by overseas Filipinos from Belgium and Luxembourg for the 2007 Philippine National Elections.  

Ambassador Ortega said, “I am glad Filipinos here are showing enthusiasm in this electoral process.”  To ensure maximum participation in the month-long election period, she added, ballots would be received including Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and until 12 midnight on 13 May 2007.  

Field voting in Antwerp would be conducted for Filipino seafarers regardless of where they are registered, and as part of the information drive, Ambassador Ortega was the guest speaker at the “Pulong-Pulong sa OAV” on 15 April 2007 after the Holy Mass with the Filipino Community in Antwerp.  

The Embassy have been conducting an intensive information program, which included meetings with leaders of all religious organizations and others in Belgium and Luxembourg to disseminate information materials on the procedures of the new postal voting system.  

“This is to ensure that no overseas Filipino is disenfranchised from exercising his/her right to vote as well as to inform them that their ballots could either be mailed or personally delivered to us at their convenience,” Ambassador Ortega added. END 

/jay

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