Fight vs Corruption a Big Draw for Overseas Voters: Envoy
Steve Angeles, ABS-CBN News North America
Posted at 10/22/2015 5:02 PM
LOS ANGELES – The deadline to register to vote in the 2016 Philippine elections is approaching quick.
As of now, there is close to 27,000 registered voters at the Los Angeles Consulate, shattering the 16,000 goal.
Some believe that the number of overseas absentee voting (OAV) ballots are enough to not only swing a few close races at the polls but also to encourage more Filipinos to vote.
“We have a lot more faces joining the battle for becoming the next president of the Philippines as well as the vice president,” said Consul General Leo Herrera Lim.
Voting in the Philippines and the US were two of the major topics that Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr. touched on during a recent visit to Los Angeles.
Cuisia believes the ongoing fight against corruption and economic growth will be enough to bring more voters come May 2016.
“It’s going to be a very important election because we’ve gained so much over the last five years under the presidency of Benigno Aquino III. We would like to see that continue,” he said.
The election season has also brought out many potential candidates in recent months even before they officially expressed their plans to seek office.
Senatorial candidates Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares and former Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, as well as vice presidential candidate Senator Francis Escudero have all visited Los Angeles.
“We felt that overseas absentee voting must be exercised by Filipinos here in the US. For one, the Filipinos, our kababayans here send $26 billion together with other OFWs to the Philippines, and they should have the right to choose the next president,” said Colmenares.
Lim believes, with hopefuls now officially filed for candidacy, the number of voters will grow.