By Ricky Laxa
Staff Writer
Over 82,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Kuwait are expected to cast their votes for senatorial and presidential candidates in the 2022 Philippine National Elections at the Philippine Embassy, which commenced on the 10 April and ends on the 9 May at 7 pm (Phllippine Time). Kuwait was among the top in the list of overseas voters during the previous election, and is pushing for it to stay in the lead in this election as well.
Philippine Ambassador H.E. Mohammad Noordin Pendosina Lomondot spearheaded the opening of polls at the embassy by being the first voter to cast his vote. A large number of OFWs arrived at the Philippine Embassy premises to join him and cast their ballots. In a brief interview on the occasion with The Times Kuwait, the Philippine Ambassador urged all Filipinos not to wait till the last day to cast their votes and that they should exercise their right to vote. “Each vote is important and essential, and we should not miss or ignore this chance to be a part of the process. We have been given this opportunity to vote even if we are not in our country and thus each single voice needs to be heard by casting our vote,” commented the Philippine envoy.
Ten presidential candidates, nine (9) vice-presidents, and sixty-four (64) senators are currently running for designated positions in the government, and in Kuwait two leading tag teams of president and vice-president are popular among OFWs.
In brief chat with several OFWs, they said that issues related to safety, health, benefits, rights, retirement plans were among concerns which the new president should and must address immediately, and that OFWs should be a government concern priority since OFWs remittances from around the world are a significant source of sustaining the Philippine economy.
Luis Osorio VCM and CCS Operator reminded all OFWs to vote early and check their names in the official list of the registered voters, and that they must bring any valid identification card. Voters should also adhere and follow strictly the process and instructions when voting, as failure to comply can result in a void ballot. Election hours commence at 8am till 4pm from Monday till Sunday.
To check valid names, voters may visit: https://comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/OverseasVoting/2022NLE/CLOV/MIDAF/KUWAIT.pdf?fbclid=IwAR298P_rB5VTkgLic5bi1845K6FR6G-3HO_LAyrFzqLMsxLAUI3WI5qeFDQ
(Photo Credit: Embassy of Philippines Kuwait)