By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
National elections in the Philippines are less than a month away, but Filipinos living in Korea have already started casting their ballots for the next president.
Overseas absentee voting started at the Philippine Embassy on Saturday morning. Although turnout was low on the first day, there were several voters who were serious about exercising their right to suffrage even if they are living in Korea.
The first voter to arrive was Maria Gemma Cantutay, a 41-year-old housekeeper from Cebu who has been living in Korea for nine years.
``Of course, I need to vote as part of my duty as a Filipino citizen,'' she told The Korea Times.
On election day in the Philippines, May 10, millions of Filipino voters will head to the polls to choose a new president, vice president, 12 senators and one party-list representative.
Cantutay declined to reveal who she voted for, but hoped the new Philippine president will be able to fix the country's economic problems. ``I wish the Philippine economy will improve, so I can go home and find a job there. It's really hard for overseas Filipinos to be working abroad, away from our families,'' she said.
Accountant Alfonso Delgado, a first-time absentee voter, came prepared with a list of candidates he wanted to vote for. He quickly filled up the ballot and became the first one to drop it in the box.
``I wanted to set an example for the Filipinos in Korea to vote early. ... I think each vote counts. If people want to make a change, they should go out and vote,'' Delgado said.
There are 10 candidates for President, including incumbent Senators Benigno Aquino III and Manuel Villar, former President Joseph Estrada and former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.
Delgado said he voted for Aquino, who is the only son of the late former President Corazon Aquino and former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. Incidentally, his late father was the youngest war correspondent to cover the 1950-53 Korean War at the age of 17, and even wrote a screenplay about Filipino soldiers who were sent to Korea.
According to the embassy, there are 10,921 registered voters in Korea. While the number is high, the main problem is getting the voters to actually go to the embassy and cast their vote.
``I encourage all registered Filipinos in South Korea to vote. Overseas Filipinos have one month from April 10 to May 10 to directly influence the future of our nation by electing able leaders with concrete visions. I hope that everyone is able to put this important opportunity to good use," Philippine Ambassador to Seoul Luis T. Cruz said.
Embassy officials expect more voters to head to the embassy as the May 10 deadline nears. Voters are advised to bring an ID (passport, embassy ID, company ID, etc.). It is open Sunday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. An appointment is needed to vote on Saturdays. The polls close at 7 p.m. on May 10.
The Philippine Embassy building is located at 5-1 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan. A detailed map can be viewed on the Web site www.philembassy-seoul.com. For inquiries, send an e-mail to 2010elections@philembassy-seoul.com.