PH foreign service posts train for next overseas voter sign-up

Rouie Peñalba from the COMELEC discusses the final module of the three-day training on overseas voting held at the Philippine Embassy Chancery Annex on December 10-12, 2019. CONTRIBUTED

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Designated overseas voting personnel of Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the Americas on December 10-12 underwent training for the resumption of continuing voter registration overseas.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and Department of Foreign Affairs-Overseas Voting Secretariat led the three-day training at the Philippine Embassy.

The sessions also clarified policy and procedural and budgetary concerns to fully equip the foreign service posts to handle their responsibilities in the conduct of overseas voting. Training modules include systems overview and data policy, encryption, and troubleshooting.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez noted that the U.S. continues to have the biggest potential for registering more land-based overseas voters. The embassy and consulates in the U.S. would continue with their field registration activities during their consular outreach missions, Romualdez added.

He also hopes that in the near future, the smart use of new technology will ease the voting process and procedures for the COMELEC and DFA personnel, as well as the voters themselves, without in any way compromising the security and sanctity of the ballot.

Overseas voter registration for the May 2022 elections resumed December 16 and will end on 30 September 2021.

To register, all applicants must personally appear at the nearest Philippine Embassy/Consulate or other registration centers authorized by the COMELEC. 

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez delivers the opening remarks at the closing ceremony of the overseas voting training of Philippine Foreign Service Posts (FSPs) in the Americas on 12 December 2019.

COMELEC Commissioner Marlon Casquejo presents a Plaque of Appreciation to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., received by Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, at the conclusion of the OV training on 12 December 2019. Also in photo is DFA Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Brigido Dulay, Jr.

Group photo of representatives from Philippine Foreign Service Posts (FSPs) in the Americas with Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez (seated, 4th from right), DFA Undersecretary Brigido Dulay, Jr. (seated, 3rd from right), and COMELEC Commissioner Marlon Casquejo (seated, 5th from right) at the conclusion of the three-day overseas voting training held at the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC on 10-12 December 2019.