Comelec, Marina to put up registration centers for overseas voters
MANILA, Philippines — The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and Commission on Elections (Comelec) will partner up to set up registration centers for Filipino overseas voters.
In a statement on Friday, Marina said it had signed a memorandum of agreement with Comelec to establish registration centers for overseas voters as part of preparations for the May 2025 national and local elections.
It added the partnership assures the continuous registration of overseas Filipino voters from Dec. 9, 2022 until Sep. 30, 2024.
“With this partnership, the two organizations aim to ensure that every eligible Filipino voter can exercise their right to suffrage,” Marina said.
According to the agency, the registration centers for qualified voters overseas will operate weekdays until Sep. 30, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For her part, Marina Deputy Administrator for Operations Nannette Dinopol expressed confidence in the collaboration.
“Consistent with the principle of leaving no one behind, the MARINA remains a strong partner of Comelec in promoting the continuing registration for qualified overseas Filipino seafarers through the Comelec-MARINA Registration Centers for Overseas Voters,” she said.
“We definitely have one aim or hope in mind — that is, they [overseas voters] will be able to exercise their right to suffrage come the 2025 National and Local Elections wherever they may be, or whatever seas their ships may sail, their votes will be counted,” she added.
Marina said the memorandum of agreement was signed along with other government agencies like the Department of Migrant Workers and the Department of Foreign Affairs. — Mae Anne F. Bilolo, intern
