Overseas voter registration in Middle East continues — Comelec

Overseas voter registration in the Middle East continues as Philippine foreign posts remain operational despite the ongoing conflict in the region, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday.

“As of March 2, overseas voter registration activities in Philippine Embassies and Consulates in the Middle East affected by the ongoing tensions and escalations continue, as Philippine foreign posts remain open for consular services, including overseas voter registration,” Comelec said in a statement.

The registration for the 2028 national elections resumed on December 1, 2025, and will run until September 30, 2027.

Over the weekend, the United States and Israel launched joint military operations against Iran, escalating tensions in the region.

Comelec advised Filipinos to “stay alert and keep updated on the current situation in their respective areas, be vigilant against misinformation or disinformation, and rely only on verified sources of information." 

"Take heed of notices from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy or Consulate, and contact help lines if in distress,” it added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier reported that there are 2.5 million Filipinos in the Middle East, most of them in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, while about 800 Filipinos are in Iran.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed that one Filipina caregiver, Mary Ann Velasquez De Vera of Pangasinan, was killed in the escalating conflict.

The Israel Embassy expressed condolences over De Vera's death.—MCG, GMA Integrated News