When this is posted, overseas-based Filipinos covered by the 77 Philippine missions – embassies, consulates and the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan – can still enroll in the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) until Wednesday, May 7, and then cast their vote until May 12 before 3 pm UAE time.
I already voted last April 17 or on the fifth day of the 30-day voting period for Overseas Filipinos. I had been voting religiously since 2004 here in Dubai. It is a right I had been exercising to be able to participate in the political process of our beloved Philippines. I started voting in 1992 in the presidential elections. I only missed the midterm elections in 2001 when we relocated here in Dubai since overseas voting was not yet available.
Section 1, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution provides as follows: The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the Philippines, which shall consist of the Senate and the House of Representatives, except to the extent reserved to the people by the provision on initiative and referendum.
The 24 senators who were elected in 1987 served until 1992. In the 1992 elections, the top 12 senators served until 1998, while the 13th to the 24th senator served only for three years, up to 1995. Thereafter every three years, only 12 senators are elected to serve for six years.
The Senate’s powers and functions include the power to propose, amend, and pass legislation; the exclusive power to ratify treaties; the power to try and decide all cases of impeachment; the power to confirm appointments made by the President; the power to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation; and the power, along with the House of Representatives, to pass the national budget.
I always preferred candidates who have social causes and/or political advocacies even before they were drafted to run. They are consistent in addressing an issue whether of local or national importance. To be honest, there were incidents when I did not complete the 12 slots because there were very few candidates who could really discharge the ideal roles mentioned above. This year, I choose 12 candidates, plus my favorite sector as party list representative.
If you had voted in the last two elections in 2019 and 2022 at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi or Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and the Northen Emirates, then you are still a registered voter and can enroll using this link – https://ov.comelec.gov.ph/enroll. Be prepared with your original passport or with a clear colored photocopy.
Sometimes, we express our dismay on the political situation back home. We even say the Philippines is ‘hopeless’ or is really the ‘sick man of Asia’. But did we participate in the electoral process? Did we vote for candidates who are competent? Were they individuals with integrity?
You still have until May 7 to enroll and May 12 to vote wisely, my dear readers. And you might even be the single vote that will determine the number 12th senator, as every vote really counts.
Note: The columnist is a 24-year resident of Dubai and is currently working as Head of Corporate Communications of a global energy logistics company. He is a former Filipino Community Leader and is now active with a global Catholic movement promoting the renewal of Christian family life. He can be reached at artlosbanos@gmail.com
