Are you an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) about to leave the country in search of greener pastures to be able to provide for your family? Maybe a college or postgraduate student about to embark on a new academic journey in a foreign university abroad? Or perhaps you are married to a foreign national and will soon migrate to the home country of your spouse?
If you are any of the above, at least 18 years of age (by 09 May 2022), and foresee that you will be out of the Philippines from April to May 2022, file your application to be a registered overseas voter to be able to vote in the 2022 National Elections!
Starting September 1, the Commission on Elections – Office for Overseas Voting or COMELEC – OFOV for short, will be resuming its continuing registration for overseas voters at the COMELEC Main Office in the Palacio del Gobernador Building, Intramuros, Manila.
At maliban sa pagpapa-OVrehistro, ito pa ang pwede niyong ipagawa sa Office of Overseas Voting ng COMELEC:
- Overseas Voter’s Certification (with active status);
- Certification for Correction of Entry;
- Certification of Non-Availability of Record;
- Certification Pending Approval of Application for Registration as Overseas Voter; and
- Certification for Overseas Voter with Deactivated Status.
Here are the most important points about OVRehistro that you should know:
If you’re already abroad
- Kung kayo ay abroad na, please check the website of the Philippine embassy or consulate in the country that you’re in. If there is no embassy or consulate in the country you’re in, please check the one (malamang na nasa ibang bansa) that serves Filipinos where you are.
- Bukas man ang registration dito sa Pilipinas, ang Overseas Voter registration abroad ay naka-depende pa rin sa mga embahada at konsulada doon.
If you’re in the Philippines
- Starting 01 September 2020, the COMELEC Office for Overseas Voting (nasa Intramuros yan) will be accepting applications for registration and other transactions …
- from Mondays to Thursdays, hindi kasama ang holidays …
- from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and
- Strictly BY APPOINTMENT only.
How to Book an OFOV Appointment
- Emailing the request for appointment to the OFOV’s official email address at overseasvoting@comelec.gov.ph. The request should include the preferred date and time of appointment, at kung ano ang gusto mong gawin (magpaparehistro ka ba? magpapatransfer? o hihingi ng certification?) o type of transaction;
- Pwede ka rin mag-PM o direct message sa official Facebook page ng OFOV, na matatagpuan sa https://www.facebook.com/overseasvotingph. See that QR code down there? Scan it!
- Pwede ring tumawag sa telepono bilang: (02) 8522-2251 or (02) 85212952; and
- Calling or sending a text message to any of the OFOV’s mobile numbers: +63 951 875 9882 (TNT/Smart/Sun), o +63 905 034 5158 (TM/Globe).
Mahalagang tandaan – REMEMBER that at this stage, the applicant should already inform the OFOV what transaction you want to do; sabihin nyo na kaagad kung ano ang gusto nyong gawin. This will allow the OFOV to advise you on how to fill out the application form.
See that green arrow? OFOV will tell you which of those ovals you need to check off. Did you notice that the picture is showing the back page? Good. Ito naman yung front page.
As with the local forms, LEAVE THE RED AREAS ALONE.
Noteworthy on this form is that it asks the applicant to provide information about their Facebook and other social media accounts. Hahanapan ka talaga ng Facebook at ibang social media account (kung meron).
The reason for this is that people who go overseas – especially those who work there – can be quite mobile. They change their addresses from time to time, but of course, we maintain at least one social media account that always travels with us. This information makes it possible for the COMELEC to ensure that, in case there is information that the registered voter needs – or if the voter wants to vote by mail – there will be a way to get in touch with them and verify their correct mailing address. Nifty.
Dito kayo makaka DOWNLOAD ng form > https://www.comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/OverseasVoting/2022Forms/AnnexA_OVF.pdf
Copy that URL and paste it on your browser or you can just click here:
Checklist
Before leaving your home on the day of your confirmed appointment, go through the checklist in the ACS to make sure you have all the things you need with you. If you are not feeling well or are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms such as fever/chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, nausea/vomiting, muscle/body aches, diarrhea, please stay at home and cancel your appointment as soon as possible. You will not be allowed to enter the building if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.
Ito yung ACS:
Go to the OFOV Registration Center on the day of your confirmed appointment with a printout or screenshot of the Appointment Confirmation Slip (ACS). To ensure that you make it on time for your appointment, please plan your arrival within 30 minutes before your schedule. Follow all security and safety protocols when visiting the COMELEC Main Office.
One last thing
The usual COVID-safe precautions will be in place. This means you must have a face mask and a face shield on, when you come to the office. No face mask, no face shield, no entry. You will also be asked to fill out a Health Declaration form, and yes, kung mataas ang temperature mo, you will be advised to seek medical attention, at hindi kayo patutuloyin.
While we do have local field registration centers (LFRCs) in the various parts of Metro Manila in the offices of our partner agencies (DFA, OWWA, POEA, MARINA, Commission on Filipinos Overseas), they are not operational as of 01 September 2020. Please follow the OFOV Facebook page for future announcements on the operational status of these LFRCs.