| - |
Etta Rosales |
| - |
Jomari Gonzales |
| - |
Eddie Nachura |
|
Others: Syjuco,
De Venecia, Lopez (J.), Abayon, Angara-Castillo, Lozada, Marcos, Jala, Bueser, Lapus,
Barinaga, Macarambon Jr., Estrella III, Ablan, Roco, Layus, Rosales, Espinosa (V), Lacson
(CJ), Badelles, Cirilo, Cuenco, Jaraula, Libanan, Zialcita, Rodriguez (O), Mathay,
Punzalan (L), Villareal, Albano (R), Jr., Uy (E.C.), Joaquin, Nograles, Gonzales (R.),
Villarama (W.), Failon, and Escudero |
| - |
KAKAMMPI -
Manila |
| - |
Philippine-European Solidarity Centre - Europe |
| - |
Global Alliance of Filipinos for Filipinos
- U.S. |
| - |
KUMARE-KUMPARE -
Manila |
| - |
Friends of Filipino Migrant
Workers, Inc. - Manila |
| - |
RIVAssociates Corporation
- U.S. |
| - |
Philippine
Network, Inc. - New Jersey, USA |
| - |
PPU Forumers - Worldwide |
| - |
Migrant Initiative - Germany-based signature campaign |
| - |
Commission of Filipino Migrant Workers - Europe |
| - |
Platform of Filipino Migrant Organisations in
Europe - Europe--an alliance of 75 organizations |
|
CFMW
International - Amsterdam, The Netherlands |
|
KASAPI-Hellas -
Greece |
|
Samahan ng mga
Filipino sa Belgium |
|
Radyo Pinoy -
Denmark |
|
Bayanihan Center
for Filipino Migrants - Denmark |
|
Danish Filipino
Association - Denmark |
|
Damayan - Denmark |
|
CFMW-Italya - Italy |
|
Filipino Christian
Bayanihan in Italy - Italy |
|
Pinagsamasamang
Lakas ng mga Pilipino Sa Italya (PILAPIL) - Italy |
|
Filipino Women's
Council - Italy |
|
Malayan Theater
Group - Italy |
|
Philippine Women's
Forum of Germany - Germany |
|
Munting Nayon -
Greece |
|
Alliance of Ilocano
Organisations in Athens - Greece |
|
United Visayas
Mindanao - Greece |
|
Seafarers Club
Athens - Greece |
|
Couples for Christ
- Greece |
|
Christ the King -
Greece |
|
Kasapi Youth -
Greece |
|
Federation of
Filipino Organisations in the Nederland (FFON) |
|
Alab, Bayanihan -
The Netherlands |
|
CFMW International
- Amsterdam |
|
Damayang Filipino
sa Nederland |
|
Dutch Pilipino
Association - The Netherlands |
|
Kababayan - The
Netherlands |
|
Kapatiran - The
Netherlands |
|
Kapitbahayan - The
Netherlands |
|
PSAP - The
Netherlands |
|
Silangan - The
Netherlands |
|
Kapisanan ng mga
Filipino sa Groningen - The Netherlands |
|
Babaylan (Women) -
Europe |
|
Working Group of
Women Religious against Trafficking in Women - The Netherlands |
-
|
NaFFAA -
U.S. (NaFFAA, the biggest federation of Filipino organizations in the U.S., counts up to
3,000 affiliate members.) |
| - |
Philippine H.E.L.P. (Human Endeavor to Lessen
Poverty) Foundation - Vancouver, Canada |
| - |
Solidarity
Philippines Australia Network - Centre for Philippine Concerns - Queensland, Australia |
| - |
Kaibigan, Inc. - U.S. (New York, New Jersey,
Connecticut area) |
| - |
Catholic Bishops'
Conference of the Philippines - Manila, Philippines |
| - |
Peasants Fund - Quezon City, Philippines |
| - |
OFW Congress - Saudi Arabia |
| - |
Council of Filipino Associations in Austria
(representing 16 major Filipino organizations in Austria) |
| - |
Gabay ng Manggagawangg Pilipino - Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia |
| - |
National Federation of Filipino-American
Associations - Region VII (representing 20 major organizations in the states of
Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska) |
| - |
Council of Filipino-American Organizations of the
Pacific Northwest (representing 8 major organizations in the State of Washington) |
| - |
The Philippines to
the World Entertainment Foundation, Inc. - Manila/Middle East |
| - |
Lady of Angels Filipino Parishioners/KGMAers -
New York City |
| - |
BISIG Nederland |
| - |
Paring Bol-anon Worldwide -
San Francisco |
| - |
Bicol Anom of Dubai and Northern Emirates |
| - |
Sugbuanon sa Saudi Arabya - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| - |
Manggagawang Kapit Bisig - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| - |
Association of Cavitenos - Saudi Arabia |
| - |
ABB (Asea Brown Boveri) Employees Association,
Saudi Arabia |
| - |
Gabay ng Manggagawang Pilipino |
| - |
Pagkakaisa at Unawaan Ng mga Organisasyon |
| - |
Leyte, Biliran, Samar Association - Saudi Arabia |
| - |
Palarong Pilipino Sports Commission, Riyadh |
| - |
ABQAIQ CCRM - Saudi Arabia |
| - |
KOMPIL - Negros Chapter |
| - |
Project OFFWUD (Overseas Filipinos & Friends
Work for Unity and Dignity) |
| - |
Social Community Action and Development
Foundation, Inc. (SCADFI) - Manila |
| - |
Kalayaan UK - London |
| - |
Party for Overseas Workers' Empowerment and
Reintegration (POWER) |
| - |
Pasali
Cooperative Nederland |
| - |
Ugnayan Pilipino - Stockholm, Sweden |
| - |
Akbayan -
Manila |
| - |
Elagda-OFW E-Group - Global |
| - |
OFW-Vote
E-Group/Overseas Filipinos Worldwide - Global |
| - |
San
Lorenzo Society Japan - Nagoya |
| - |
Economic Resource Center for Overseas Filipinos -
Switzerland |
| - |
Samahang Pilipino sa Yemen |
| - |
The Philippine Women's League of Japan |
| - |
Community Advocacy for Seafarers' Concerns - The
Netherlands |
| - |
Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce of
Arizona |
| - |
eLagda-Pinoy-Expats |
| - |
Liberated Pinoy Association - Hong Kong |
| - |
SST - Riyadh |
| - |
Commonwealth USA - Olongapo City |
| - |
Caballeros de Dimas-Alang, Inc - San
Francisco, USA |
| - |
Info Systems - Saudi Arabia |
| - |
Exultrade
Business Center - Makati City |
| - |
Filipino American Society of Architects
and Engineers - San Francisco |
| - |
FilCar International - Ontario, Canada |
| - |
Tropang Pinoy - Baku, Azerbaijan |
| - |
Association of Ilonggos of Metro Washington,
D.C. |
| - |
Advanz
Corporation |
| - |
VoteHere.net |
| - |
MOVER, Inc. - Saipan, CNMI |
| - |
NaRS - Saudi Arabia |
| - |
Bibles for
OFWs - Israel |
| - |
Apostleship of the Sea |
| - |
Philippine Migrants' Rights Watch |
| - |
Migrante International |
| - |
Samahan ng Pilipino sa Saudi |
| - |
Federation
of Philippine-American Chambers of Commerce |
| - |
Katilingban Sang Mga Ilonggo - United
Arab Emirates |
| - |
Friends of Overseas Filipinos -
Singapore, Manila, Netherlands |
| - |
Lifestyles - Los Angeles |
| - |
Batangas Association - Encino, California |
| - |
Crown Asia/Asia Plus Philippines - Marikina |
| - |
Kanlungan Center Foundation - Quezon City |
| - |
Kanlungan Center Foundation - Quezon City |
| - |
Bayanihan: Philippine Women's Centre -
Netherlands |
| - |
Babaylan - Philippine Women's Network in Europe |
| - |
SiamPinoy.com
- Thailand |
| - |
FILOVE
International - Hong Kong |
| - |
Asian-American Civic Association - New Jersey |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| * |
02/21/03
- Click here to watch and listen to the
communique of Nonoi Hacbang (Chairman of Platform Europe) as read by Philippine Update's
Miss Catherine Alviso. (Go to real.com and download free software if you don't have Real
Player.) |
| * |
02/13/03
- THE PRESIDENT SIGNS THE ABSENTEE VOTING BILL INTO
LAW! CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL, AND THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO BELIEVED AND HELPED IN THE
CAMPAIGN! |
| * |
02/11/03
- The House of Representatives ratifies the bicameral report
on absentee voting, following the Senate's ratification on February 4. |
| * |
01/29/03
- The bicameral committee approves a compromise version of
the absentee voting bill: no sunset provision and permanent residents included. |
| * |
01/14/03
- The bicameral committee officially meets to discuss
consolidation of the two bills. |
| * |
12/12/02
- The Platform of Filipino Migrant Organisations in Europe appeals to the members of the
bicameral committee to endorse a consolidated version of the two absentee voting bills for
final passage before Christmas. |
| * |
10/28/02 - The Technical Working Group for the bicameral committee starts
to discuss the consolidation of the two bills. Also, the CFO circulates an AVB Primer.
|
| * |
10/22/02 - The Senate, too, passes its version of the absentee voting bill
on 3rd and final reading.
|
| * |
10/21/02 - The House passes its version of the absentee voting bill on 3rd
and final reading.
|
| * |
10/16/02 - The House passes its version of the absentee voting bill on 2nd
reading. Unlike the more inclusive Senate version, the House bill excludes immigrants and
limits voting to the president and vice president. The "battle" goes to
the bicameral committee.
|
| * |
10/09/02 - The Senate votes 14 to 1 (Joker Arroyo) to pass the absentee
voting bill on 2nd reading. The 3rd and final reading (considered a formality) will
be on October 21.
|
| * |
09/26/02 - A call to
action letter is issued. For the printable version, click here.
|
| * |
09/25/02 - The Partido de
la Revolucion Democratica, which is at the forefront of the campaign to enfranchise
overseas Mexicans (more than 8 million in the U.S. alone), expresses solidarity with our
campaign.
|
| * |
09/25/02 - "Tutukan si Congressman," a letter-writing campaign
initiated by OFWs in Saudi Arabia is pursued. Click here for the templates (to be
completed by family members of overseas Filipinos): Tagalog and English.
|
| * |
09/06/02 - Congress takes a recess without taking up the absentee voting
bill. Overseas Filipinos gear up for an even more aggressive campaign.
|
| * |
08/09/02 - The opposition derails the absentee voting bill in the
House. TALSIK campaign
launched.
|
| * |
07/31/02 - THE ABSENTEE VOTING BILL HURDLES THE AMENDMENT STAGE IN THE
LOWER HOUSE! In the Senate, the administration party has agreed to also pass the
Senate version after a brief period of interpellations and amendments.
|
| * |
07/18/02 - The International Coalition for Overseas Filipinos' Voting
Rights will mass distribute a
modified version of the Inquirer ad on July 22 (opening of Congress and the day of
President Arroyo's state of the nation address). Ellene Sana of KAKAMMPI will read it,
together with a statement from
Platform Europe, to an assembly of activist groups and the media in Manila.
|
| * |
06/30/02 - The OFWNet Foundation
proposes a shadow Congress comprised of overseas Filipinos and their families to demand
immediate passage of the absentee voting bill.
|
| * |
06/10/02 - Click here
to see a copy of our Inquirer ad. A list of contributors to the ad is also available
online: click here.
|
| * |
06/05/02 - Amidst the political circus in both the Senate and the
House, the new Senate majority passes the absentee voting bill!
|
| * |
05/07/02 - As the legislative countdown winds down to barely a month (Congress
adjourns on June 6), Platform Europe issues a communique on absentee voting,
calling on all politicians to match their promises with deeds.
|
| * |
04/28/02 - The Federation of Philippine-American Chambers of Commerce launches a
signature campaign to push for both the dual citizenship and absentee voting bills. The
petition sheets and instructions can be accessed and printed from HERE. EMPOWER's manifesto on
absentee voting can also be endorsed ONLINE--please read, sign,
and help circulate our petitions! Congress adjourns on June 6!
|
| * |
04/6/02 - After meeting with Filipinos in Rome (click here to read the communique from
Platform Europe's Nonoi Hacbang), the bicameral committee on absentee voting meets with
what Senator Angara calls an "energetic, enthusiastic, and spirited" crowd of
key Fil-Am leaders (not just from the East Coast but also from Canada and California) in
New York City. The lawmakers assure Filipinos who have become naturalized citizens of
their host countries of their claim to suffrage in Philippine elections, assuming the
passage of the dual citizenship bill. Click here
for pictures (thanks to Jess Guim). The series of consultations ends in Los Angeles
where the lawmakers meet with more than 200 Fil-Am leaders at the Philippine Consulate.
Congress resumes session on April 15.
|
| * |
03/18/02 - After successful consultations in Asia and Saudi Arabia, lawmakers gear
up to meet with overseas Filipinos in Rome, Italy and the U.S. The schedule in the States
includes New York City (6:30 PM on Monday, April 1st at the Philippine Consulate) and Los
Angeles (5:00 PM Wednesday, April 3rd also at the Philippine Consulate). Click HERE (Word) or HERE (PDF) to help distribute flyers
for the U.S. consultations (please print and hand out or forward via e-mail).
|
| * |
03/4/02 - Various regional organizations continue to mobilize to ensure the
passage of the absentee voting bill in time for the 2004 elections. In Saudi Arabia,
Alfredo Ganapin et al. have generated massive interest as they prepare for the scheduled
bicameral consultations. In Europe, Platform Europe (Nonoi Hacbang et al.) has launched a
letter-writing campaign to hammer the point among legislators that it's PANAHON NA for
absentee voting. Click HERE
to see Platform's memo and a template supporters can use.
|
| * |
02/22-2/24/02 - The bicameral committee (including Senate Electoral Reforms Committee
Chair Angara, House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms Chair Syjuco, and House
Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Lozada) conducts consultations with Filipinos in Hong Kong and
Tokyo. [Thanks to all the NGOs that showed up in full force and to Daphne, Yuko, and
Tonette of the OFW-Vote e-group for the preparations and updates.]
|
| * |
02/16/02 - In a meeting of Filipinos and friends in the Metro Boston area (at the
home of longtime Filipino activist Madge Kho), Dejota Apostol of the Filipino
Intercollegiate Network Dialogue (the biggest network of Filipino students in the U.S.)
informs us that FIND has decided to take up the issue of overseas Filipinos in this year's
national conference (in Boston) and will explore ways to help in the absentee vote
campaign.
|
| * |
02/16/02 - We are starting to capture online the sentiments of overseas Filipinos
on their political disenfranchisement in: OVERSEAS FILIPINOS: IN THEIR OWN WORDS.
|
| * |
02/14/02 - Philippine-based allies hold a joint press conference: Catholic Bishops' Conference of the
Philippines Statement; Philippine
Migrants' Rights Watch; Commission
on Overseas Filipinos; and Apostleship
of the Sea.
|
| * |
01/17/02 - The House of Representatives resumes sessions this week. The
Absentee Voting Bill is only one among numerous "priority" bills, so we need to
exert extraordinary pressure to pass the bill by May this year (if later than that,
COMELEC has told us that implementation will have to wait until 2007!). To know what
YOU can do to help the campaign RIGHT NOW, click here. We have also
created "scorecards" to keep track of the positions of members of Congress:
House
and Senate.
|
| * |
01/03/02 - The Philippine Daily Inquirer issues another editorial in support of
the immediate passage of absentee voting law. Other recent media coverage: Rene Bas
of The Manila Times, Rasheed
Abou-Alsahm of Inq7.net, Federico Pascual
of the Philippine Star, EMPOWER
statement (Inq7.net) and press
release (Codewan.com), and Amerika Atbp on Channel 9.
|
| * |
01/02/02 - The House of Representatives fails to pass the Absentee Voting Bill
before it adjourned in December 2001 (despite Speaker Joe de Venecia's promise to pass it
by year-end). Session resumes on January 14. (According to the
COMELEC, a law should be passed by mid-2002 to make absentee voting possible in 2004.)
|
| * |
12/27/01 - The OFWNet Foundation holds a convention in Manila and launches its Web site.
|
| * |
11/8/01 - After hearing our arguments (thanks to Ellene, Noel, et al. who have
been attending the sessions on our behalf), the Senate Technical Working Group agrees to
include ALL Filipinos (who have not renounced their citizenship) in the coverage of the
draft absentee voting bill! Next (in about 10 days) will be the Committee hearings,
which will involve the senators themselves. Dee Limjoco-Pollard of Iskandalo.com has
a list of senators with e-mail addresses--please
write the senators what you think.
|
| * |
11/4/01 - EMPOWER issues a press release on the coverage issue. First to
publish: Philippine Daily
Inquirer and Iskandalo.com.
|
| * |
10/27/01 - The Senate Technical Working Group meets (10/23) to discuss the key
points of a consolidated overseas voting bill (11 were filed in the Senate). There
are concerns that the Senate may take a timid view of the coverage issue--i.e.,
threatening to EXCLUDE millions of permanent residents (who have chosen to keep their
Filipino citizenship). The next meeting is on November 8. Please watch for
updates, including what you can do to help lobby for a fair law. For those in the
Philippines, please contact KAKAMMPI, eLagda, or the OFWNet Foundation for the latest
developments and on how to get involved in the lobby.
|
| * |
10/6/01 - The Senate Committe on Electoral Reforms chaired by Senator Edgardo
Angara meets on Tuesday (10/9) to study a number of overseas voting bills recently filed
in the Senate. The bills are available online at eLagda.com. Key concerns: 1) an
overseas voting law should include ALL Filipino citizens regardless of their status
overseas (permanent resident, temporary worker, undocumented) and 2) we want the bill
passed ASAP to allow time for implementation in time for the 2004 elections. For
proponents of the use of technology (e.g., Internet voting), this is the time to offer
concrete options.
|
| * |
9/19/01 - A consolidated version of the House bills (18 bills were filed
at the opening of the 12th Congress!), with inputs from the August Delegation, is
available on the eLagda.com Web site (eLagda's
Executive Director Noel Esquela created a comparative version for easy reading).
Erwin Lara, the secretary of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms,
welcomes comments and suggestions by September 24 (before the bill is presented in a
plenary session). NOW is the time to read and express concerns about specific
provisions of the bill. You may send comments to Noel Esquela of eLagda or to me.
The Senate is behind in consolidating its own version (several were filed in
the last few weeks and copies are also available on the eLagda Web site), but Senate
President Franklin Drilon, Committee Chair Senator Angara, and ALL the senators that met
with the August Delegation, have assured us that they will make it a priority.
Please note that the consolidated bill that came out of the Senate in the last Congress
EXCLUDED permanent residents, so we need to make sure that it does not happen this
time.
|
| * |
8/27/01 - After promising the August Delegation of speedy action on the overseas
voting proposal, the House Committee on Suffrage headed by Iloilo Representative
Syjuco approves the consolidated bill from the 11th Congress. The Committee will now
submit the bill for a plenary reading/debate.
|
| * |
8/19-23/01 - A delegation of more than 50 overseas Filipinos and local allies
(co-convened by EMPOWER, Platform of Filipino Migrant Organisations in Europe, KAKAMMPI,
and eLagda) lobbies for the passage of an overseas voting law. The group receives
very public commitments from both chambers of Congress (House Speaker Jose de Venecia,
Senate President Franklin Drilon, and Committee Chairs Representative Syjuco and Senator
Angara), the COMELEC, the DFA and its agencies, as well as President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo. Click here for a sampling of the media coverage of the visit.
|
| * |
8/12/01 - Malacanang Palace issues an official statement in support of the
campaign for overseas voting.
|
| * |
8/11/01 - Common fund set up to defray expenses (food, local transportation,
logistics, etc.) for the August delegation visit/legislative lobby. Click here to see list of donors.
|
| * |
8/9/01 - Appointment Secretary Rita Jimenez confirms the August delegation
appointment with GMA. The visit will include a mass, a brief meeting, and breakfast at the
Palace.
|
| * |
7/29/01 - Throwing their full weight behind the the campaign are philanthropists Col. Ramon and Helen Limjoco. Made aware of the
August delegation's trouble in getting a brief meeting with the president, Col. and Mrs.
Limjoco send a compelling letter to Malacanang. The Limjoco's are the parents of Diana Limjoco-Pollard, webmistress of iskandalo.com.
|
| * |
7/29/01 - Gemma Cruz-Araneta--author, the first Asian Miss International,
former Tourism secretary, and now a columnist--pledges active support for the voting
rights campaign.
|
| * |
7/26/01 - Despite the president's public expression of support for the
enfranchisement of overseas Filipinos, Malacanang tells the August delegation that
she has no time for them. EMPOWER issues a press release.
|
| * |
7/23/01 - Major victory for the campaign! In her first state of the nation
address, President Arroyo calls on members of Congress to pass an overseas voting law:
"I ask Congress to enact a law giving overseas Filipinos, who continue to play a
critical role in the country’s economic and social stability, the right to vote."
(Inq7.net)
|
| * |
7/23/01 - The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines issues a press release urging the government to
pass an overseas voting law.
|
| * |
7/14/01 - After a visit to the Senate, Cathy Ledesma and Dr. Chee Garcia
(OFW-Vote) identify four senators who have filed an absentee voting bill: Serge
Osmeña, Frank Drilon (possibly the next Senate president), Loren Legarda-Leviste, and
Tito Sotto.
|
| * |
6/28/01 - After a visit to the Philippines, Gil Ramos of OFW-Vote/OFWNet reports
that the following people of prominence and influence have signed the OFW Petition: Juan
Ponce Enrile, Juan Flavier, Roy Seneres, Jose De Venecia, Joey Lina, and Louie Logarta
(president of the National Press Club).
|
| * |
6/21/01 - Platform Europe, EMPOWER, and Elagda join forces to send a delegation
to Manila on August 19 to 23. The schedule will include a dialogue with President Arroyo
and the Congress (both the Senate and the House), followed by a PESC-KSP-sponsored
solidarity conference (August 24 to 26) at UP Diliman. The local organizer is KAKAMMPI.
Click here to join the
delegation visit.
|
| * |
6/21/01 - Former Philippine Daily Inquirer editor Federico Pascual writes (in his
Philippine Star column)
a ringing endorsement of the voting rights campaign.
|
| * |
6/18/01 - Jose Z. Molano, Jr., executive director of the Commission on Overseas Filipinos, e-mails EMPOWER to
assure that the Commission supports the right to vote not only of Filipino contract
workers overseas but also of permanent residents who have not renounced their Filipino
citizenship.
|
| * |
6/13/01 - Philippine Internet guru Ken Ilio, creator of Tanikalang Ginto and the grand patron of Filipino
Web sites, endorses the voting rights campaign and lists the EMPOWER site under his
exclusive Best of the Best Philippine-related sites.
|
| * |
6/12/01 - In an earlier e-mail to the OFW-Vote e-group, Senator Magsaysay (a
topnotcher in the last Senate elections) expresses support for the passage of an absentee
voting law. We have also received reports about other senators committing
to support an AV bill, including Senate President Nene Pimentel, Loren Legarda-Leviste,
Pong Biazon, and Ramon Revilla (or his staff).
|
| * |
6/02/01 - Diario
Filipino, published in the major cities of New Zealand, throws support behind the
EMPOWER campaign.
|
| * |
6/02/01 - The Manila
Times issues another editorial in support of voting rights and publishes the OFW
Petition.
|
| * |
5/20/01 - FilAmJournal.com
cites the support of the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce of Arizona (Philip
Trainor's group) and Bart Tubalinal, Jr., publisher of Philippine Time U.S.A. Also
registering support is Francis Pangilinan of eLagda-Pinoy-Expats.
|
| * |
5/14/01 - Early trends show pro-voting rights candidates for Senate seats likely
to win, including Drilon, Osmeña, Villar, and yes, possibly Tañada. Santiago, closely
associated with the opposition but known to be a voting rights advocate, is also among the
top 13.
|
| * |
5/10/01 - ABS-CBN's PinoyCentral.com, through Anna Pedrosa, expresses intention
to help in the voting rights information dissemination campaign.
|
| * |
5/06/01 - FilAmJournal.com helps in the information
campaign.
|
| * |
5/06/01 - Clement Mesenas, editor of the Singapore-based Pinoy Bulletin,
publishes the Overseas Filipinos Worldwide petition.
|
| * |
5/06/01 - The Community Advocacy for Seafarers' Concerns (based in the
Netherlands) issues a statement of support for the enfranchisement of Filipino
seafarers.
|
| * |
4/28/01 - Diyaryo.com, another biggie in the
news portal business, joins EMPOWER in the voting rights campaign.
|
| * |
4/27/01 - While in Boston, former President Fidel V. Ramos personally receives a
copy of the EMPOWER manifesto.
|
| * |
4/21/01 - The up-and-coming Adobo.com Web
site, through Enrique Gonzales, publishes the EMPOWER manifesto.
|
| * |
4/18/01 - The Philippine Herald Community
News, the biggest Filipino newspaper in Australia, publishes the EMPOWER manifesto
(through Romy Cayabyab's column).
|
| * |
4/17/01 - Bobby Tañada sets up a Web site for his campaign (note that he lists absentee voting
as one of his top three priorities).
|
| * |
4/14/01 - On the heels of the Elagda-OFW/OFW-Vote issue, we receive reassurances
(from the key people) that we're ready to move on, and that we should be more sensitive to
the efforts of others (making sure there are no encroachments, duplication of efforts, and
conflicts).
|
| * |
4/12/01 - Rolly Amaranto, composer of the Awit Abroad album (singers include Nora
Aunor, Nonoy Zuñiga, Claudine Barreto, Kelly Grace Salcedo, Juan Rodrigo, Aldoe Rubee,
Richard Villanueva, Cindy Rosas, Jo Awayan, and Miriam Pantig) continues to pitch for
voting rights and broaches the idea of a music video for the campaign. (If you are
interested in producing this video or for more details, please e-mail EMPOWER.)
|
| * |
4/012/01 - Ricky Sardiosa announces his plan to publish the EMPOWER manifesto
in the May hard-copy edition of Philippine Global
News. The Hong Kong-based newspaper has a free circulation of 50,000 or a
pass-on circulation of 100,000 to 200,000. (There are around 200,000 Filipinos in
Hong Kong.) Eddie Flores of Munting Nayon News is also expected to publish the
EMPOWER manifesto for his readers in the Netherlands. In addition, Philsol.nl, the
most popular site of its kind in Europe, creates a page for the EMPOWER statement.
In Manila, Bulatlat.com
posts the EMPOWER statement of solidarity with disenfranchised youths.
|
| * |
4/09/01 - Percy Cruz, a
congressional candidate (1st District, Quezon City), joins the EMPOWER coalition.
Please visit Percy's Web site to see how you can help in his campaign.
|
| * |
4/07/01 - Yimby.com's Bobby Reyes
commits to supporting the campaign. (Note: Reference to EMPOWER having a chairman is
incorrect).
|
| * |
4/06/01 - Elagda creates OFW
Voting Rights section.
|
| * |
4/04/01 - Important endorsements by leading Web sites, including PLDT.com, Philnews.com,
and emanila.com (recipient of the Technology Award in
Australia's National Multicultural Marketing Awards).
|
| * |
4/02/01 - The
Manila Times issues another editorial, calling for a special congressional session to
pass an enabling law for overseas voting before May 14.
|
| * |
3/31/01 - Senator Blas Ople, Senate president pro tempore, bats for absentee voting.
|
| * |
3/29/01 - Asked by columnist Rene Bas
(one of our strongest media advocates) about her stand on the overseas voting issue,
President Arroyo affirms her support and reassures that passage of an absentee voting law
is part of her legislative agenda.
|
| * |
3/28/01 - Gil Ramos pursues the creation of the OFW-Vote e-group to
complement the efforts of Elagda-OFW. To those who want to play a more structured
role in the campaign (committees, etc.) and pursue other long-term agenda (such as the
creation of an OFW Bank), please send a blank e-mail to OFW-Vote-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
|
| * |
3/28/01 - The Philippine Daily Inquirer, the biggest and arguably the most
influential newspaper in the Philippines, appeals in an editorial for the
political enfranchisement of overseas Filipinos.
|
| * |
3/23/01 - Bringing the issue to the fore: ABS-CBN International's
Kumusta Kabayan continues to focus on the voting rights issue, inteviewing KAKAMMPI,
Platform, and EMPOWER in a live global telecast.
|
| * |
3/20/01 - Pasali Cooperative Nederland,
through Carlo Butalid (director of PESC-KSP
and one of our key leaders in Europe), voices support for the campaign. Pasali, an
organization of seafarers, is pushing for the voting rights of more than 200,000 Filipinos
working in international ships.
|
| * |
3/19/01 - Within 36 hours after Koloks (PPU Forum's resident imp) writes
First Daughter Luli Arroyo, she points out that her mother "as senator authored a
bill allowing overseas Filipinos to vote, (and) she has not changed her stand on that
issue."
|
| * |
3/16/01 - More media gains: 1) The Philippine
Star opens a message board on the overseas voting issue. 2) ABS-CBN International's Kumusta Kabayan interviews
Wigberto Tañada on absentee voting and his plan to file a bill. 3) Web portal Duyan.com helps publicize the issue.
|
| * |
3/16/01 - The Hong Kong-based Philippine
Global News joins the campaign.
|
| * |
3/12/01 - More media heavyweights, including Art Borjal and Belinda
Olivares-Cunanan, focus on the plight of the disenfranchised overseas Filipinos.
|
| * |
3/12/01 - Senatorial candidate
Ernesto Boy Herrera laments a grave case of injustice: "We call them our unsung
heroes. They practically saved the country from economic collapse during the 1997
financial crisis. And yet, our legislature sits on the bills that would have allowed our
brothers and sisters abroad to enjoy the same right as any Filipino."
|
| * |
3/12/01 - EMPOWER
voices support for and solidarity with the 4.5 million disenfranchised youth.
|
| * |
3/10/01 - Former First Lady Loi
Estrada challenges President Arroyo: "President Arroyo should also speak
vigorously for the seven million OFWs as well as she speaks for the four million still
unregistered voters."
|
| * |
3/09/01 - Senatorial candidate Franklin
Drilon issues a statement of support. Surveys show Drilon among the top 3 Senate
contenders.
|
| * |
3/09/01 - Enteng Romano of Elagda.com sets up an e-group for the overseas voting
campaign.
|
| * |
3/08/01 - Important endorsements from the Gabay ng Manggagawang Pilipino
(Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), Council of Filipino-American Organizations of the Pacific
Northwest (representing 8 major organizations in the State of Washington), and NaFFAA -
Region VII (representing 20 affiliate members in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska).
|
| * |
3/07/01 - In a candid editorial, The
Manila Times strongly urges President Arroyo to help overseas Filipinos exercise the
fundamental right to vote.
|
| * |
3/04/01 - Our global campaign
continues to snowball with recent significant endorsements from the following: the
influential Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, the OFW Congress
(representing approximately 800,000 Filipino migrants in Saudi Arabia), the Council of
Filipino Associations in Austria (comprised of 16 major Filipino organizations), the
Peasants Fund, Kaibigan, and the Canada-based Philippine H.E.L.P. Foundation. If President
Arroyo understands basic political responsiveness, we should expect a position statement
from her very soon in response to our three e-mails (sent directly, as well as coursed
through the national security adviser and the press secretary). Otherwise, we have
no choice but to shift to a higher political gear.
|
| * |
3/04/01 - The
Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines implores the Arroyo administration to
prioritize the passage of an overseas voting law.
|
| * |
2/26/01 - Iskandalo
Café joins the information campaign.
|
| * |
2/24/01 - Senatorial candidate Wigberto Tañada commits to taking up the
issue: "I will file a bill that will provide for a system of Overseas Voting for
qualified Filipinos abroad. Our OFWs are our bagong bayani(s)—by virtue of
their remittances they have kept our economy afloat and prevented its total collapse. If
only in recognition of this, they must be given the right to vote."
|
| * |
2/24/01 - The Philippine Daily Inquirer/INQ7.net publishes EMPOWER statement.
|
| * |
2/23/01 - Enteng Romano of Elagda.com announces support for the voting
rights campaign and lists it as one of Elagda's top-three priorities.
|
| * |
2/23/01 - Australia (Solidality Philippines Australia Network) joins the
loop.
|
| * |
2/22/01 - Former Congressman and now National Security Adviser Roilo Golez
expresses support for the voting rights campaign.
|
| * |
2/21/01 - Columnist Conrado de Quiros, a consistent advocate of voting
rights for overseas Filipinos, broaches the idea of non-remittance of income in case
Philippine politicians fail to act on our appeal. Click here for the
article.
|
| * |
2/20/01 - PPU issues statement.
|
| * |
2/15/01
- NaFFAA's Executive Director Jon Melegrito
reaffirms the group's support for the voting rights campaign--will coordinate U.S.
efforts. (NaFFAA, the biggest federation of Filipino organizations in the U.S.,
counts up to 3,000 affiliate members.)
|
| * |
2/9/01 - Expats put up voting rights campaign page through PPU.
|
| * |
2/6/01
- Update from Ellene Sana, advocacy officer of KAKAMMPI:
Dear friends--What's the status of the absentee voting bill? It's practically
like starting all over again! Sadly. This is a legislation so it's Congress's
task. In the 11th Congress, we made it up to the committee level at the Lower House.
At the Senate, it also reached up to the committee level. It was awaiting
deliberation on the floor in both houses when the "juetenggate" scandal
exploded!!! And killed it! So, we will be faced with a new 12th Congress after
the May elections. There will be new people in Congress, which means new relations
to work on. The bill will have to be filed and sponsored again by the
legislators. After which it will be elevated to the committee level, then floor
deliberations ... In short, back to square one. This early, we can of course
lobby intensely the office of the president to make it a priority bill (endorsed by
Malacañang), because historically, if the bill is not a priority bill of Malacañang, it
does not really get anywhere ...
|
| * |
1/01 - Nonoi Hacbang, chair of the Platform of Filipino Migrant
Organisations in Europe, writes President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo--urging her to certify
the overseas voting bill to Congress as urgent. Hacbang also appeals to the Senate
president to prioritize the issue. Arroyo's list of priorities (reportedly based on
the LEDAC meeting) does not include the passage of the constitutionally mandated absentee
voting law.
|
|
|
| - |
Senator Jaworski
Raises Issues |
| - |
Filipinos Abroad
Inch Slowly Toward Right to Vote - Rasheed Abou-Alsahm, Inq7.net |
| - |
OFW's Right
to Suffrage Pushed - ABS-CBN |
| - |
Enthusiasms:
GMA Calls for OFW Vote Law - Rene Bas, Manila Times |
| - |
State
of the Nation - Conrado de Quiros, Inq7.net |
| - |
OFWs Push for
Absentee Voting - ABS-CBN.com |
| - |
Allow Overseas
Filipinos to Vote - Etta Rosales |
| - |
Absentee
Voting Rules Within the Philippines - Inq7.net |
| - |
Let
Adopt Absentee Voting for 2004 Polls - Federico Pascual, Philippine Star |
| - |
The
Deregulation of the Philippine Export Labor Industry - Jeremaiah M. Opiniano,
CyberDyaryo.com (3-part series) |
| - |
New Deal
for OFWs - Manila Times Editorial (Thanks to Bing Sitoy) |
| - |
OFW
Petition - Manila Times |
| - |
Political
Maturity of Filipinos - MB, Inq7.net |
| - |
Filipino
Permanent Residents Call Philippine Congress to Pass Law on Absentee Voting -
Leonardo O. Aromin, FilAmJournal.com |
| - |
Overseas
Filipinos Worldwide Petition |
| - |
Insulting to
OFWs - Jojo Pangan, Inq7.net |
| - |
Give OFWs the
Right to Vote - Rasheed Abou-Alsamh, Inq7.net (also linked on the manilamoods.com site) |
| - |
Men in
Limbo - Rina Jimenez-David, Inq7.net (reference to Erap friend Robert
Aventajado batting for absentee voting through the Bagong Bayani party) |
| - |
Editorial
- Manila Times (a reference to a potential remittance boycott if Congress ignores our
campaign to pass an overseas voting law) |
| - |
Special
OFW Column - Raul Palabrica, The Philippine Daily Inquirer (The 80,000 figure
is an Inquirer typo--it should have been 800,000.) |
| - |
Word Alive
- Fr. Bel San Luis, Manila Bulletin (cites a letter from Gilbert Joaquin,
OFW-Vote/Elagda-OFW e-groups) |
| - |
Let OFWs
Vote - Editorial, The Manila Times |
| - |
Special
Column for OFWs - Raul Palabrica, The Philippine Daily Inquirer (cites a
letter from Cathy Ledesma, OFW-Vote/Elagda-OFW e-group) |
| - |
emanila.com's postings: top
story on the main page and EMPOWER manifesto in English
and Tagalog. |
| - |
GMA Bats
for OFW-Vote Law - Rene Bas, Manila Times |
| - |
EMPOWER Statement
- Iskandalo.com's version (Dee Limjoco, Webmistress) |
| - |
Absentee Vote in
3 Pilot Areas Urged - Manila Bulletin |
| - |
A Call for Active
Participation - Congressional candidate Adrian "Dado" Sison,
Duyan.com (Franco Santos, Webmaster) |
| - |
A Voice
from America - Ernie Delfin, Philippine Star |
| - |
An Open Letter to Luli
Arroyo - Koloks (published by Bulatlat.com) |
| - |
Tagalog Translation
of the EMPOWER Statement - Translated by Terry of
OFW-Vote and Elagda-OFW |
| - |
Clean Walls for Clean
Polls - Rod Dula (quotes Gil's letter), Malaya |
| - |
Abdicating to Sin
- Ellen Tordesillas, Malaya |
| - |
The
Uncivil Society - Herman Tiu Laurel, Manila Times |
| - |
An OFW's Call to
Vote - Teresita Uy (Forumer), Inq7.net |
| - |
The OFW Vote
- ABS-CBN |
| - |
Overseas
Filipinos Still Our Heroes - Zenaida Amador, Manila Bulletin |
| - |
Commentary
- Institute of Church and Social Concerns, Philippine Daily Inquirer/GMA 7 |
| - |
Burned-up
Lust for Reform - Rene Bas, Manila Times |
| - |
Drilon
Sees Absentee Balloting in 2004 - Efren Danao, Philippine Star |
| - |
A Culture of
Mistrust - Enteng Romano, Elagda.com/Inquirer |
| - |
Inequity
- Conrado de Quiros, Philippine Daily Inquirer |
| - |
Enthusiasms
- Rene Q. Bas, The Manila Times |
| - |
Unsung
Heroes in Faraway Places - Art Borjal, Philippine Star |
| - |
Political
Tidbits - Belinda Olivares-Cunanan, Philippine Daily Inquirer |
| - |
EMPOWER Press
Release - Philippine Daily Inquirer/GMA 7 |
| - |
Platform of Filipino Migrant Organisations' Letters to President
Arroyo and to Congress: 1 and 2. |
| - |
Does
Arroyo Hate Dogeaters? - Rene Q. Bas, The Manila Times |
| - |
Grant
OFWs the Right to Vote - The Manila Times Editorial |
| - |
Who's
Afraid of the OFW Vote? - Rene Q. Bas, The Manila Times |
| - |
Give Migrant
Filipinos Voting Rights, CBCP Asks Govt - Norman Bordadora, Philippine Daily
Inquirer |
| - |
OFWs
Launch Drive for Overseas Voting - Dona Policar, Daily Tribune. |
| - |
Source
of the Contagion - Rina Jimenez-David, Philippine Daily Inquirer (lamented the
Estrada administration's insensitivity to OFW issues). |
| - |
Critical
Reflections on Estrada's Ouster - Temario C. Rivera, Philippine Daily Inquirer
("... The Filipino diaspora has become an immediate continuing presence, intervening
in and interrogating even the most local struggles."). |
| - |
Declaration on
Racism, Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance Against Migrants and
Trafficked Workers - World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination,
Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance, Tehran, 18 February 2001 (Recommendation #7 is the
granting of voting rights for migrants.). |
| - |
OFWs
to Stop Sending Dollars to Families - Ding Cervantes, Philippine Star (This was
actually in relation to the oust-Estrada campaign, but it's an option we may need to use
in our campaign.). |
| - |
Ten-Point
Pro-OFW Agenda - Jeremaiah M. Opiniano, Inquirer. |
| - |
How About the
Institution of Honesty? - Ellen Tordesillas, Malaya (another letter from Gil
Ramos). |
| - |
The Pea
Shooter - Jun Baustista, Manila Times. |
| - |
Demand
and Supply - Boo Chanco, Philippine Star. |
| - |
Words
Worth - Mons-Romulo Tantoco, Philippine Star. |
| - |
A Vacuum of
Trust - Blas Ople, Manila Bulletin. |
| - |
OFWs: Needed
When RP Is in Financial Turmoil - Jeremaiah M. Opiniano (Institute on Church
and Social Issues), Daily Tribune. |
| - |
The Distrust Remains
- Ellen Tordesillas, Malaya (reprints a letter by Gil Ramos, one of our forumers). |
| - |
Never
Again - Conrado de Quiros, Philippine Daily Inquirer. |
| - |
Platform
of Filipino Migrant Organisations in Europe Delegation Report - KASAMA,
Solidarity Philippines Australia Network. |
| - |
They're
Still Filipinos but Why Can't They Vote? - Alfred A. Araya Jr., Codewan.com.ph. |
| - |
From
a Distance - Carmen Pedrosa, Philippine Star. |
| - |
The
Party-List System in Review - Jerry F. Adevoso, Philippine Daily Inquirer. |
| - |
A
Boon to the Nation - Conrado de Quiros, Philippine Daily Inquirer. |
| - |
No
Ifs, Ands, or Buts About It - Conrado de Quiros, Philippine Daily Inquirer. |
| - |
KAKAMMPI's
Appeal to Enact the Absentee Voting Bill - Issued in May 2000. |
| - |
HB 10720 - Text
of the House Bill. |
| - |
SB 1746 - Text
of the Senate Bill. |
| - |
Salient
Features of HB 10720 and Senate Bill 1746 - Bills that "died" in
Congress after "juetengate." |
| - |
KUMARE-KUMPARE's
Position Paper on Absentee Voting - Drafted by the Friends of Filipino Migrant
Workers, Inc. |
| - |
Position Paper on
Absentee Voting - By I.F. Bagasao (Geneva, Switzerland). |
| - |
Empowering 7 Million
Migrant Filipinos for the Next Millennium - Speech delivered by Representative
Etta Rosales. |
| - |
Right to Vote of
Overseas Filipinos - By Carlo Butalid, Philippine International Review. |
| - |
Absentee
Voting for Overseas Filipinos - By Gene Alcantara, Philippine Express
International. |
|
|
| Some E-mails/Statements of Support |
| On behalf of Mr. Rick Q.
Beltran, president of the Council of Filipino-American Organizations of the Pacific
Northwest (an umbrella group of 8 major Filipino organizations in the State of Washington)
and the concurrent chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations -
Region VII (representing 20 affiliate member organizations in the states of Washington,
Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska), I am pleased to inform you that in our joint meeting on March
5, 2001, the Council and the NaFFAA regional chapter passed a resolution unanimously
supporting the worldwide campaign urging President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to immediately
re-certify as urgent House Bill 10720, otherwise known as the Overseas Absentee Voting
Bill. Joe Pascual (together with Armand Oliveros, one of the movers behind the
Global Alliance of Filipinos 4 Filipinos) The CBCP-ECMI
strongly implores the present administration to make the passage of the absentee voting
bill a priority. Filipinos overseas should not only be encouraged to "send home
money," but to "send their votes" as well. Bishop Ramon Arguelles
for the Catholoc Bishops' Conference of the Philippines
It is only right that the OFWs be given the right to vote. This is the
least we could do to these new heroes of the republic. Emerito F. Salud, Esq.,
for Kaibigan, Inc.
I will file a bill that will provide for a system of overseas voting for
qualified Filipinos abroad. Our OFWs are our bagong bayani(s)—by virtue of their remittances they
have kept our economy afloat and prevented its total collapse. If only in recognition of
this, they must be given the right to vote. Former Senator/Congressman Wigberto
Tañada
(The OFW voting rights campaign) might be late for this May elections, but I
believe that the time to pursue this is now to make sure that (an overseas voting law) is
implemented by 2004 ... Enteng Romano for Elagda.com
Solidarity Philippines Australia Network supports the campaign to empower
Filipino migrants through the ballot. Please add SPAN to the list of campaign
supporters. SPAN Coordinators
We wholeheartedly support the right of overseas Filipinos to vote in Philippine
elections. We believe that the Filipino's right to vote should be upheld and provided for
regardless of his or her physical location. To deny this right is to deny the voice of
millions of Filipinos whose contribution is so vital to the life and well-being of the
country. It is time to correct the neglect of the right of all overseas Filipinos to cast
their votes and have a voice in all Philippine elections. Jose R. Lim for
Philippine H.E.L.P. Foundation
I fully agree with you on your aspirations for absentee (voting). That was a
crucial factor during the Florida vote in the last U.S. presidential election. National
Security Adviser Roilo Golez
NaFFAA has adopted resolutions supporting this measure. I will bring it up again
when Ambassador Rabe meets with us here in D.C. this weekend. We are more than happy to
coordinate a national campaign. Jon Melegrito for NaFFAA
Please be advised that RIVAssociates Corporation endorses the Filipino OFWs'
right to vote campaign. Like many before us, we envision a fast-growing 7 million OFWs to
eventually participate ACTIVELY in the election process, up and down Philippine political
landscape. Ramon V. Alonso and RM Inocencio
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|
