11 November 2022 – Philippine diplomats and officials mainly from all over Europe and were given a refresher training on overseas voting registration by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs-Overseas Voting Secretariat (DFA-OVS) at the NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderon from 8 to 10 November 2022. The training, hosted by the Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona, sought to prepare Philippine Embassies and Consulates General officials for the voter registration process, to begin on 9 December 2022 and ending on 30 September 2024, as well as the national mid-term elections in 2025.

The 10-member COMELEC officials were led by Commissioner Socorro B. Inting and Commissioner Rey E. Bulay as Supervising Commissioners, while the DFA-OVS was led by OUCSCA Undersecretary and Chairperson of DFA-OVS Jesus “Gary” S. Domingo with Vice Chairman Atty. Zoilo A. Velasco.

Ninety-four (94) Europe-based Heads of Posts and delegates were in attendance, with a few others joining from the Philippine Embassies in Muscat, Santiago, and Rabat, as well as the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul PCG. Aside from the rules and regulations on the registration of overseas voting, participants were also taught to operate the Voting Registration Machine (VRM).

In her remarks, Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro acknowledged the role of the Philippine Foreign Service in the success of overseas voting and the close cooperation between COMELEC and the DFA-OVS.

For his part, Undersecretary Domingo lauded the efforts undertaken by Foreign Service Posts, which were instrumental in increasing the number of voters overseas. 

Commissioner Bulay on the other hand said that the exercise strengthens the democratic system in the Philippines and politically empowers overseas Filipinos, who have been staunch partners in Philippine development and nation-building.

The COMELEC and DFA-OVS officials also took the opportunity to meet with Filipino community leaders in Barcelona. The dialogue aimed to raise awareness on the overseas voters’ registration process, and emphasized the need for eligible voters to drop by the Consulate General to register as soon as possible.

The Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona continues to strongly encourage all registered voters in Barcelona and areas under its jurisdiction to register and exercise their right to vote.