First OAV applicant for registration, Dennis C. Pedrano,
with (from left) Jose Sto. Domingo, Liza Dean (seated), Consul General Macaraig

The Philippine Consulate General in Saipan commenced the registration of overseas absentee voters for the May 2013 elections.  Today, 02 November 2011, marks the resumption of the conduct of registration/certification of qualified overseas absentee voters.  

A short period after the opening of office hours today, Mr. Dennis C. Pedrano submitted his application for registration as an overseas absentee voter for the coming elections.  His photograph, fingerprints and other biometric information were obtained by staff of the Consulate who were deputized and trained by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to conduct the registration or certification of absentee voters.  In the first day of registration, a total of five (5) Filipinos filed their applications for registration.

During the elections held in May 2010, there were 7,169 registered absentee voters in the Northern Marianas.  Of this number, 3,341 voters cast their votes representing a 46.60% voter turnout.  The Consulate in Saipan registered the second highest number of absentee voters among Philippine Consulates in the U.S. (next to Los Angeles) and tenth highest among all Philippine Embassies and Consulates around the world. 

Mobile registration shall be conducted for Filipinos in the islands of Tinian and Rota during the next consular services in these islands, tentatively scheduled in the first quarter of next year. 

The registration/certification of qualified Filipino overseas absentee voters shall continue during office hours (8am to 6pm) except holidays and weekends.  However, during the scheduled One-Saturday or Sunday-A-Month service of the Philippine Consulate General, registration/certification shall also be offered from 9am to 4pm.  The period of registration/certification ends on October 31, 2012.  Elections shall be held on 13 May 2013. 

 

20 October 2011/ PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL TO CONDUCT REGISTRATION/ CERTIFICATION OF QUALIFIED OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTERS

For purposes of Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) during the May 13, 2013 Philippine national elections, the Philippine Consulate General will resume registration/certification of qualified overseas absentee voters starting on 02 November 2011 until 31 October 2012. 

During regular office days, registration shall be from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.   Registration shall also be undertaken during the One-Saturday or Sunday-A-Month service of the Consulate, also from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.  (Please note that the Consulate shall offer services on 19 November 2011, Saturday and 18 December 2011, Sunday as part of its One-Saturday or Sunday-A-Month services.)

Those who have previously registered and have voted in the previous elections are also enjoined to personally appear at the Philippine Consulate General to verify whether the applicant’s name is already included in the National Registry of Overseas Absentee Voters (NROAV) and his biometrics have been captured.

For those who are already registered and whose names are already included in the list of registered voters in the Philippine Consulate, and whose biometrics have been captured, they need not register anew.  However, if the applicants name is already included in the list of registered voters in the Philippine Consulate but his biometrics have not been captured, the applicant shall be required to fill out OAV Form No. 1 and his biometrics captured.

In case a registered voter decides to transfer his residence back to the Philippine municipality/city/district of the voter’s residence as indicated in his OAV Form No. 1, the voter may apply with the Committee on Absentee Voting (COAV) or local Field Registration Center, for transfer of registration from the overseas registry to the local registry.

Who may register? 

The law provides that the following are qualified to register:

1. All citizens of the Philippines who intend to vote abroad or who will be abroad on election day (May 13, 2013);
2. Filipino citizens who will be turning eighteen (18) years of age on or before the day of the election (May 13, 2013).  Those who are not yet 18 during the period of registration may register provided they will be 18 years of age on the day of the elections,
3. Dual citizens who have reacquired or retained their Philippine citizenship under the “Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003 (R.A. No. 9225).
4. Immigrants or permanent residents who, upon filing of an application for registration as overseas absentee voter, execute an Affidavit of Intent to Return declaring that:  they will resume actual physical permanent residence in the Philippines; and that they have not applied for citizenship in another country. 

The following are the requirements for registration for OAV:

1. A valid Philippine passport; and,
2. An accomplished application form (OAV Form No. 1.  This application form may be obtained at the registration site or downloaded/printed from the website of COMELEC-COAV, or FA-OAVS websites.

Please note that other OAV Forms are available at the COMELEC website.  Click here for list of OAV forms.

For dual citizens who do not possess Philippine passports, the following are the requirements:

1. Order of Approval to retain or reacquire Filipino citizenship;
2. Oath of Allegiance
   • Original; or
   • Certified True Copy, issued by the Post; or
   • Certified True Copy, issued by the Bureau of Immigration

For Seafarers:

1. Photocopy of Seaman’s Book
2. Any other document to prove that he is a seafarer.

For Filipinos who are residing in Tinian and Rota, the Philippine Consulate General shall conduct Field Registration in the next Consular Services in these islands.  The schedules shall be announced later.

The Philippine Consulate General encourages all qualified Filipinos who are in the CNMI to register and exercise their right to vote.