By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter


In a bid to efficiently administer overseas voting, Philippine embassy officials with postings in different parts of Europe and Middle East including Qatar will be attending a seminar-training in Abu Dhabi from April 3-5.
Ambassador Crescente Relacion told Gulf Times that representatives from Prague (Czech Republic), Vatican, Greece, Geneva (Switzerland), Portugal, India, Lebanon, Oman, (Amman) Jordan, Bahrain, Iran and Qatar will undergo proper training to function as Special Vote of Election Inspectors (SCFI), Special Ballot Reception and Custody Group (SBRCD) and Special Board of Canvassers (SBOC).
He said the three-day training will include discussions on the duties and responsibilities of each group during the month-long overseas voting worldwide.
“We will also train other staff and officials who cannot join the seminar this year,” Relacion added.
Embassy representatives with postings from neighbouring countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, and other Asean (Association of South East Asian Nations) countries will have to attend the same training in the Philippines.
The ambassador said such meetings and seminars are being held during mid-term and presidential elections. It will be the second time for the Middle East and European group to hold it in Abu Dhabi citing its accessibility to the delegates.
He reiterated his call to all Filipinos in Qatar to vote early and study the track record and profile of those running for public office. Registered overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will only be allowed to vote for senators and Party List this year.
“Choose leaders with proven track records, integrity, and honesty. Popularity and pleasing personality should not be the basis for voter’s choice,” Relacion said in an SMS message.
The Philippine embassy is also set to conduct “field voting” in various areas in Qatar to reach many OFWs including those in the Industrial Area and Al Khor.
However, Relacion urged those who live in Doha to vote in the embassy which is open from 8am to 4m, seven days a week starting on April 13. Overseas voting will end at 12 midnight of May 13 (Qatar time).
Meanwhile, senatorial and Party List candidates have started campaigning using social media sites like Facebook to reach OFWs in different parts of the world.
Culture attaché Richard Billedo disclosed that there are more than 2mn OFWs in the Middle East alone. Out of the 94.2mn Philippine population (in 2011), it is learnt that 10% work and live in other countries. Every year, about 1mn of Filipinos leave the country in search of greener pastures.