DAMMAM, 6 July 2003 — Filipinos in the Eastern Province may be able to register and vote in Alkhobar should the Comelec adopt the “Embassy on Wheels” program of the Philippine Embassy.

Visiting members of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives told community leaders here that they will ask the Commission on Elections in Manila if it is possible to accommodate the request of the Filipino community in Eastern Province to have their own polling center in Alkhobar.

“Voting is not a privilege. It is the right of every Filipinos. You must not suffer to travel to Riyadh just to vote. The polling center should be brought here near to you,” said Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson in response to queries during the open forum.

Lacson, together with Reps. Agapito “Butz” Aquino (Makati) and Didagen “Piang” Dilangalen (Cotabato), were here in Dammam Friday to grace the Volleyball Friendship Games held at the Prince Saud Bin Jawali Sports City in Dammam.

The exhibition games were played by the Volleyball Enthusiast in Eastern Province (VEEP) and the Kiluspasabay team from Riyadh. Also present was Labor Attaché Manuel Roldan, representing Ambassador Bahnarim Guinomla.

Aquino echoed Lacson’s statement saying that the Comelec may also implement a “Comelec on Wheels.”

“If the government is able to conduct the consular service outside the embassy or consulate, maybe we can also have a Comelec on Wheels,” Aquino said.

“If they need additional budget, then let us work for the additional budget. We will work on it and discuss this with the Comelec as soon as we get back to Manila,” Aquino said before a cheering crowd.

He said the Comelec should not compare the OFWs in the Middle East from the Filipinos in Europe and the United States who are seeking citizenship in those countries and might have no plans in returning to the Philippines.

“All of you who are working here would soon be going home to the Philippines. You should be the one be given the right to vote in this election, and Comelec should have to consider that,” said Aquino said who maintained that he is a big supporter of Lacson.

Lacson was quick to urge the community leaders to get together and support its members by providing free transportation in going to Riyadh should Comelec insists that registration and election should only be done in the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.

“What is important now is for you to be able to vote and select the new leaders of our country,” Lacson said. “Otherwise, our country will still be suffering from graft and corruption and huge budget deficit.”

Lacson said he appreciated the help of the OFWs in the economic recovery of the Philippines by sending home their earnings abroad.

“The Philippine government should seriously look into the future of the OFWs and its families. You are being appreciated being the new heroes of our country, but you are not really treated like heroes,” Lacson said.

Asked by community leaders what are his plans on the upcoming presidential election, Lacson replied that he will run for president and is considering either Senators Loren Legarda or Juan Flavier as his running mate.

“The party has yet to decide who will be the standard bearer,” Lacson said.

Both Aquino and Dilangalen said that their party, the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) is endorsing the candidacy of Lacson for president.