Ailing OFWs among first to cast votes

Three Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with various ailments were among the first to reach the Philippine Embassy to cast votes.
“Despite their personal difficulties, their inspiring deeds show that the right to vote is sacred among OFWs and their families in Saudi Arabia,” said Ambassador Ezzedin H. Tago.
One was Joseph Futad Que who voted last Thursday. A heart attack survivor, he arrived on crutches at the embassy. “It’s important for me to vote,” he said as poll officials helped him.
The envoy said: “Mr. Que should be emulated by all Filipinos in the Kingdom. May his story inspire other Filipinos to exercise their right to vote.”
Another was Juanito N. Emperador. “It’s the right of every Filipino to vote,” he said.
The embassy said Emperador’s vote represents the empowerment that the Overseas Absentee Voting provides to OFWs and their families in Saudi Arabia.
Another ailing Filipino voter was Lolito B. Torrano. He traveled more than 150 km from Al Kharj to the embassy and was the last voter for the day.
He added that all Filipinos are invited to vote at the automated OAV (overseas absentee voting) elections at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.
The month-long elections started on April 13, and continue until May 13.
The schedules are: Saturdays through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and May 13, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In Alkhobar, the OAV is being held at the Jazeera International School. On weekdays, the schedule is 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.