Tolentino eyes to question provision of Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Francis Tolentino is eyeing to question the constitutionality of a provision in the overseas voting law, which requires overseas Filipino workers and dual citizens to return home three years after approval of their registration as overseas absentee voters.

During Thursday’s Senate hearing on the Department of Labor and Employment budget, Tolentino said the law requires OFWs and dual citizens to sign an affidavit that they should return home after three years before they would be allowed to vote.

He said this provision is “contrary to the fundamental right to vote.”

“I intend to file before the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of a provision in the Overseas Voting Act [of 2003]. Under the law, there is a provision that they should sign an affidavit that they should return home after three years,” he said.

He surmised that this is one reason why there is low overseas voter turnout. “Kapag pinapirma sila ng affidavit, ayaw na nila mag-register kaya ang liit ng ating voting numbers in terms of OFWs,” Tolentino said.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Joel Villanueva supported Tolentino’s initiative.

For his part, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said he is willing to co-sign Tolentino’s petition.  [ac]