A total of 24,743 Filipinos in Hong Kong registered during the seven-month long Overseas Absentee Voting conducted by the Philippine Consulate General. This makes Hong Kong the overseas post with most number of registered overseas voters for the 2010 elections. The Philippines will elect a new President along with members of the Congress and local officials in May 2010.
Members of Filipino communities attend a consultation meeting with Philippine Consulate officials last May.Photo credit: ButchokoyD
The consulate opened satellite registration areas such as in Worldwide Plaza and St Joseph Church in Central to augment the services offered by the consular office in Admiralty. Hong Kong’s Central district — the de facto business district in the city — is a virtual Filipino town during Sundays.
Data capturing machine was set up by Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) to augment the existing facilities in Banco de Oro (BDO), Philippine National Bank (PNB) and Metrobank (MB).
Various organizations helped field volunteers to assist consular staff in the registration process. These groups include Damayan OFW HongKong, Leyte-Samar Association, Federation of Eastern Visayan Associations, Sagay Association, Southern Cotabato Overseas Workers Association, Capiz Achievers Association, Ilocos Norte Filipino Alliance of the Philippines, League of Visayan Association, Zamahon, Zamahon, Oriental Mindoro Association, National Organization of Professional Teacher-Hong Kong Chapter, Bulacan Association, United Drivers Association, The Sun Organization, FILCOMSIN, Mission for Migrant Workers and United-Filipinos (UNIFIL)-Migrante.
Related stories: