Filipinos abroad are gearing up for presidential polls - Gulf News

Dubai: Filipinos abroad are gearing up for the presidential polls next year and are turning up in the hundreds to register at the consulate here, the third largest overseas registration centre in the world after Hong Kong and Los Angeles.

Last Friday more than 400 expatriates turned up after social clubs arranged free transport to the consulate. "We extended the time to 7pm to take in all the forms," said Aureo Toledo, in-charge of the registration.

Monday is the last day for registration. So far 11,964 people have filed applications for overseas absentee voting. The polls will be held on May 10 and nine booths will be set up at the consulate alone.

Nearly 200,000 Filipinos live in Dubai and the consulate expects more than 12,000 to sign in. The consulate section was busy on Sunday as Filipinos came from as far away as Jebel Ali and Sharjah.

Registration started in March this year. The 2010 polls will be the third elections after overseas Filipinos got voting rights, according to diplomats at the Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Susan Homires who was filling in a form along with her husband Francisco, said this was the first time they had registered to vote during their 17 years in the UAE. “We want to bring about a change,” she said. Emma Ilio said she has two teenage sons, adding that they too wish to take part in the polls.

About 10 candidates have thrown in the hat as candidate for president to succeed President Gloria Arroya who is barred from seeking relection due to term restrictions. "I am going to vote for ‘Manny’," said Francisco. Among the 10 candidates Senator Manuel ‘Manny’ Villar Jr. seems to be popular with the overseas Filipinos. If elected he would be the 15th president. Villar is the titular head and standard bearer of the Nacionalista Party (NP) in the 2010 polls.

Gulf News