INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — A bill that seeks to allow Filipinos staying overseas to register as voters and ultimately, cast their vote electronically has been approved on second reading at the House of Representatives.
During the session on Wednesday, House Bill (HB) No. 10178 which proposes amendments to Republic Act No. 9189 or the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003 was approved on second reading via viva voce or voice voting.
If approved by Congress and enacted into law, Section 6 (Overseas Registration and/or Certification) of RA No. 9189 would now allow registration or certification of voters to be done personally or through mail, or electronic means.
READ: House panel approves bill on internet voting for OFWs
Coordinate
The Commission on Elections Office for Overseas Voting (Comelec-OFOV) will be tasked to coordinate with different government agencies to obtain the biometric data of the overseas Filipino applicants.
“The commission, through the OFOV, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and other relevant government agencies shall obtain biometric data of qualified overseas voters,” the proposed additional phrase to Section 6 states.
“Provided, that processing of personal data shall comply with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10173 or the data privacy act of 2012, its implementing rules and regulations and related issuances of the national privacy commission,” it added.
HB 10178 is a substitute bill to HB 6770, which was a consolidated bill on the different proposals regarding electronic registration and voting.
Appreciation of OFWs
OFW party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino said that the bill is a testament to the lawmakers’ appreciation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and overseas Filipinos’ hard work and sacrifices.
“Today, we stand for them. We stand for our OFWs and all other Overseas Filipinos or OFs permanently or temporarily living abroad, but still hold Filipino citizenship. We are making history and changing the landscape of suffrage for our overseas voters with House Bill 10178,” she said.
According to Magsino, while Congress has provided laws for absentee voting of OFWs and other Filipinos abroad, low voter turnout during elections is still a concern — one that can be addressed by the said bill.
“Yet, despite these options, low voter turn-out among overseas voters remains a challenge. The dilemma is attributable to the considerable physical distance between the overseas voters’ workplaces or residences and the location of the Posts in their host countries, to the itinerant character of their employment as in the case of Filipino seafarers, and on other restrictive personal circumstances of the overseas voters while at work,” Magsino said.
“Mr./Madame Speaker, my dear colleagues, this is a case of electoral disenfranchisement, regardless whether of voluntary or involuntary nature.
“House Bill No. 10178 seeks to expand the registration and voting methods available to overseas Filipino voters under existing laws to include internet or electronic registration and voting through available technologies as the Comeelc may deem appropriate, as an additional option,” she added.
HB 6770 was approved months after it got the nod of the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms. After undergoing amendments, the bill was renamed HB 10178.