Senate ratifies amendments to Overseas Absentee Voting Act

Senate of the Philippines. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JESS YUSON

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate ratified Tuesday the bicameral conference committee report on the amendments to the Overseas Absentee Voting Act.

Amendments to the OAV include the removal of a provision requiring Filipinos who are abroad to issue an affidavit where they declare they will return to the Philippines after being registered as an overseas absentee voter.

“Immigrants and permanent residents not … disqualified to vote …  [must submit] an affidavit declaring the intention to resume actual physical permanent residence in the Philippines not later than three years after approval of his/her registration as an overseas absentee voter,” the provision had said.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, chairman of Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation and sponsor of Senate bill 3312, previously stated that the removal of the particular provision would encourage more Overseas Filipino Workers to vote.