TFC, COMELEC and DFA-OAVS Joint Force to Promote Overseas Absentee Voting this May 2013 Election
After a record-breaking turnout of Filipinos during the registration period in 2012 as a result of a multi-platform campaign mounted by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs – Overseas Absentee Secretariat (DFA-OAVS) with strong support from
The Filipino Channel (TFC), the agencies and the foremost Filipino media network have entered into a landmark tripartite agreement to propagate the overseas vote further. With an umbrella campaign entitled, Boto mo, kinabukasan ng bawat Pilipino (Your vote is the future of each Filipino), TFC disseminated the campaign via public service announcements (PSAs), print media and social networking sites. As a result, the turnout exceeded records for the past three elections in 2004, 2007 and 2010 in terms of new OF registrants.
TFC’s Philippine Country Manager Edson Aguiflor said that as the Filipino network with the widest reach, TFC does not only aim to bring the best of the Philippines to every part of the world where there is a Filipino but also aspires to be a catalyst for change for overseas Filipinos (OFs) and their families in the Philippines.
“Consistent with the theme, we encourage our kababayans to exercise their right to suffrage and choose the nation’s next leaders who can make a difference in the lives of every Filipino,” he added.
In 2012, DFA-OAVs reported that total registration turnout hit close to a million or a total of 988,384 OFs, a milestone for a registration for a non-presidential election. DFA Undersecretary and OAVS Chairman Jose Brillantes recognized TFC’s participation in achieving the all-time high record. This year he said, “We continue this cooperation with TFC because the network plays a pivotal role in bringing our campaign worldwide. With its presence in the U.S.A., Canada, Middle East, Europe, Australia, Japan and other countries in Asia, the campaign reaches and encourages a greater number of Filipinos.”
COMELEC Commissioner Lucenito Tagle echoed his sentiments, saying, “We did it in the 2012 registration. With TFC, we can even do better this year.”
This year, TFC, COMELEC and DFA-OAVs tapped young superstar Kim Chiu, variety show ASAP mainstay and enterprising actor Robi Domingo, Pinoy True Stories hosts and respected reporters Maan Macapagal, Atom Araullo and multi-awarded anchor Ted Failon. They join last year’s endorsers – Boy Abunda, Pokwang, Eric Santos, Randy Santiago and Piolo Pascual in conveying the message Your vote is our (every Filipino’s) future.
Filipinos can also connect with their kababayans and fellow voters via facebook.com/KapamilyaTFC. The election period is from April 13 to May 13, 2013 (closing at 7 p.m. Manila Time). Modes of voting (depending on the country where you are situated in) include personal voting, postal voting and
automated election system (AES) or automated voting. Voting will be conducted in the nearest Embassy, Consulate, Mission or Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) for personal voting and automated voting while electoral ballots will be sent directly to Filipinos identified under postal voting.
For a list of Certified List of Voters (CLOV), please inquire at, or visit the nearest Embassy, Consulate, Mission or Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO).
For more information, visit www.dfa-oavs.gov.ph, www.comelec.gov.ph/oav, www.tfc.tv/halalan2013 and www.facebook.com/KapamilyaTFC .
3/26/2013 11:20:00 PM
JENG
