PH overseas voters can register for two extra weeks

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, led by Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer, held a consular outreach mission Aug. 25-28, in Anchorage, Alaska. The outreach also involved a mobile registration for overseas Filipino voters. CONTRIBUTED

After much urging from overseas Filipino organizations, the Philippine Commission on Elections (Comelec) extended overseas voter registration for two weeks – Oct. 1 -14.

Supporters of the extension, however, doubt this two-week addition would be enough and ask why not extend it to Oct. 31, just like the extension in the Philippines.

The reason for a full extension is that registrants overseas must appear in person by appointment at a consulate, which is already a challenge due to existing Covid restrictions.

In addition, not all cities abroad have Philippine consulates. Filipinos with no nearby consulate can only be served by periodic traveling consular outreach services.