Pinoy voters in SF expected to breach 30,000 mark by Oct. 31 –consulate

The number of Filipinos in San Francisco who will register for the 2016 Philippines elections is expected to breach the 30,000 mark by the end of October, even as the Philippine Consulate General continues to remind interested Filipinos and dual citizens to register.

Philippine Consul General Francisco Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. remarked that the approaching milestone was a "clear indication of the growing interest that Filipinos overseas to play a greater role in shaping the future of our country by choosing its next set of leaders.”

Bensurto said as of early October, the consulate had already registered 29,000 new applicants. The period for registration for the 2016 elections started in May last year.

He urged Filipinos who have yet to register to go to the Philippine Consulate General, its Consular Outreach Missions, or special voter registration events.

"We are calling all kababayans who have not registered as overseas voters to do so before October 31," he said. "We have scheduled additional voter registration events this month to accommodate the growing number of Filipino who wish to register."

Registration period for overseas voters will end on October 31, 2015.

Filipino citizens aged 18 and above by May 9 who have not yet registered or are not disqualified by law may file an application for registration or OVF Form 1.

To register, applicants should personally go to the Philippine Consulate General  at 447 Sutter, San Francisco, CA 94108 or to its Consular Outreach Missions and special voter registration events.

Applicants for registration or certification must accomplish OVF Form 1, and present a valid Philippine passport. If they are dual citizens, they should present their dual citizenship papers such the identification certificate, oath of allegiance or order of approval.

Seafarers should present their seaman’s passbook in addition to the valid Philippine passport.

In the absence of a valid Philippine passport a DFA certification may be issued by the Consulate certifying either of the following: (1) that you have submitted documents that will warrant the issuance of a passport; (2) that the applicant is a valid passport holder but is unable to produce it for a valid reason.  —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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