"We are happy to note that registered overseas absentee voters in Riyadh are enthusiastic to exercise their right of suffrage and vote for their choice of a president, vice president, 12 senators and sectoral representatives. They are more enthusiastic this time than they were in 2007," said Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor.
He said that the enthusiasm shown by those who voted early more than compensates the efforts and sacrifices of people involved in preparing for the monthlong Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV).
"Aside from the lawmakers who visited the Kingdom during the discussion to allow overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to participate in national elections in the Philippines as absentee voters, there were others involved in the process. They helped push through the project of enfranchising the OFWs. They included businessmen, professionals and civic organizations, among others, who helped in allowing OFWs to participate in the elections," said Villamor.
He said that these individuals were vocal in their support of allowing OFWs to vote because of the help they render to the Philippine economy through remittances, which prop up the country's dollar reserves.
Vice Consul Roussel R. Reyes, who is in charge of the OAV at the embassy, said the enthusiasm of OFWs regarding the OAV is reflected by the fact that volunteers beefed up the embassy staff who composed the Special Ballot Reception & and Custody Group (SBRCG) and the Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEIs).
"I expect that the number of voters will be bigger during the weekend, when overseas absentee voters will be off from work so they have enough time to come to the embassy to cast their ballots," said Reyes.
