28 November 2023 – The Philippine Consulate Genaral in Barcelona successfully hosted the one-day training for Filipino Community Leaders (TFCL) in Barcelona and in areas under Post’s jurisdiction to promote overseas voting and registration for PH national elections in 2025.

The Department of Foreign Affairs Overseas Voting Secretariat (DFA-OVS), the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) spearheaded the TFCL held on 25 November 2023 at the Hotel NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón. More than 50 Filipino Community leaders from Barcelona and under Post’s jurisdiction participated in the training activity.

COMELEC Commissioner Atty. Marlon S. Casquejo and Atty. Remlane M. Tambuang, Comelec Region XI Regional Director, graced the occasion.

During the event, Commissioner Casquejo expressed hope that there would be more registrants compared to the previous registration period and informed the audience of the proposed internet/online voting as an important arrangement towards achieving this goal.

Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro gave the assurance that Barcelona PCG will exert its best efforts to register as many overseas Filipinos as it can with the support of OVS and COMELEC. Comm. Casquejo, on the other hand, affirmed the COMELEC’s assistance to Barcelona PCG and highlighted the various ways they are thinking outside the box to increase the number of OV registrants and, eventually, the voter turnout.

The continuing registration for overseas voting for purposes of the 2025 midterm elections will end on 30 September 2024. 

Seated (L-R): Comelec Regional Director Atty. Remlane M. Tambuang, Commissioner Atty. Marlon S. Casquejo, Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro, OUCSCA Deputy Usec Arnel Talisayon and DFA-OVS Vice Chairman Robert Quintin with participants of TFCL.