Filipino voters in Abu Dhabi are finding the new internet voting system for the 2025 Philippine midterm elections more convenient, with many sharing positive experiences about the easier and faster process.
Jimmy Petinez, an OFW from Pangasinan who has lived in Abu Dhabi for 12 years, said he initially sought help from the Philippine Embassy because he wasn’t fully familiar with online voting.
“Okay naman po [yung experience]. Medyo mas madali bumoto sa online kaysa sa dati,” he said in a video shared by the embassy, encouraging fellow Filipinos, “Halina po kayo, bumoto po tayo. Mas madali po bumoto sa online.”
Another voter, Michael Palo, also praised the smooth process.
“Napakabilis nya. Maganda yung kinalabasan,” he shared, admitting he thought voting would still be manual until he approached the embassy for assistance.
Palo advised kababayans not to rely on hearsay and instead get accurate information directly from the embassy.
In an earlier message through The Global Filipino Magazine, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver also encouraged qualified voters to participate by following three simple steps:
- Check if your name is on the Certified List of Overseas Voters (Dubai: tinyurl.com/CLOVDubai, Abu Dhabi: http://tinyurl.com/CLOVAbuDhabi);
- Enroll at ov.comelec.gov.ph/enroll before May 7, 2025; and third, vote online at ov.comelec.gov.ph/vote until May 12, 2025 (3:00 PM UAE Time).
Voters are reminded to submit clear, original documents — avoiding glare, shadows, or cropped images — and to use valid IDs such as a passport, driver’s license, PhilSys ID, IBP card, or Seaman’s Book V2 to ensure a smooth enrollment.
