Undocumented OFWs can still register for OAV

A migrant workers' rights group on Monday said undocumented overseas Filipino workers are not disqualified to register as absentee voter.
Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Monterona made the statement after receiving reports that there were undocumented OFWs in the Middle East who are not allowed to register as an overseas absentee voter.
"Being an undocumented or being an ‘illegal’ as to the status of a migrant worker’s stay in the host country is not one of the disqualifications mentioned by the law," Monterona said.
He cited that Section 5 of Republic Act 9189 or "The Absentee Voting Act of 2003" numerates five instances of disqualifications, stressing that being an undocumented is not set forth as a disqualification to be an overseas absentee voter.
“Undocumented OFWs should need to bring with them their passport and present it to the Philippine embassy’s consular official in-charge in OAV registration," Monterona said.
"The embassy official will issue a certification that the undocumented OFW has been properly identified and he or she is not disqualified by law, and at least 18 years of age on the day of the election,” he added.
The group estimated that there are roughly around 16,000 to 18,000 undocumented OFWs in Saudi Arabia, while in the whole middle-east they number around 28,000 to 30,000 out of the estimated 2 million OFWs.
The OAV registration will end by on Oct. 31. - Dennis Carcamo

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