Over 7,000 Pinoys abroad sign up for absentee voting

Some 7,171 Filipinos based abroad have registered as overseas absentee voter (OAVs) for the 2013 elections one month after the OAV registration period started.   The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday the number of registrants continues to increase each week, since the OAV registration period started November 2.   "Topping the list of the most number of registrants is the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, followed by Milan and Dubai," the DFA said.   In fifth place is the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, followed by the Philippine Posts in London, Riyadh, Macau, Vancouver, Chicago, and Beirut.   According to the DFA, the OAV registration period is now being held at all Philippine Embassies, Consulates and Manila Economic and Cultural Offices (MECOs).   This year-long exercise will enable Filipinos overseas and seafarers to vote in the upcoming May 2013 polls.   The registration period will end on October 31, 2012.   "Our Embassies and Consulates are prepared and organized to facilitate the overseas absentee voting (OAV) process. Their personnel have undergone trainings to further equip the people in our Foreign Service Posts of the knowledge and skills for this electoral exercise," DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said.   The DFA reminded potential registrants to bring their passports or other personal identification documents when they register at the chanceries to facilitate the verification of their identity. - VVP, GMA News