Overseas voting for the upcoming Philippine presidential elections kicked off last week, with voters telling The Macau Post Daily yesterday about the importance for Filipinos living and working in Macau to cast their ballots.
The interviews took place outside the voting venue at Harbourview Hotel in Nape, where a long queue of Filipinos cast their votes on Easter Sunday. All interviewees were non-resident workers.
“I believe in the value of each vote from Overseas Filipino Workers [OFW] because as a Filipino, we need to fight for our rights and advance the changes that we want”, said Licay, aged 32. She continued to say that “if we want to see changes to go forward, we must choose a leader that we know is capable of bringing up not only our country’s economy, but the lives of every Filipino”.
Justo, aged 54, added, “It’s valuable to vote even if you are in a different country”. She stressed the importance of voting and making a contribution to the country as no matter what happens in the Philippines, OFW’s are involved regardless of where they are, adding: “You have to show that you also love the people who want to see the Philippines move up”.
“As an OFW, even if we are still young, it’s important for us to vote because the times are different now”, noted voters Makasain and Mabolo, aged 25 and 26 respectively. They added that perhaps OFWs did not pay much attention to voting in the past, but “what’s happening now is that our country keeps on sinking”. Makasain pointed out that each OFW now sees the right and value of voting as each can help in the country’s betterment. “Many OFWs are hoping to be able to go home to better lives someday and that they won’t need to stay abroad for long, as well as be with their families”, she said.
Jeff, aged 35, told The Macau Post Daily that it is a right for OFWs to vote. “It is your right to choose, whether for your future or the future of your children”. Jeff underlined that if voters think there will be change brought about by the candidates that they are voting for, at least they contributed towards it somehow. “You can help with driving that change”, he added.
A 49-year-old woman surnamed Santos noted that “for every OFW it is very important that they get to vote”, adding that it could help their preferred candidates back home.
Moreover, Alexandra and Zeni, aged 28 and 40 respectively, cited the fact that the Philippines’ future depends on the new president, as well as that voting can help with moving towards being “united for change” for the Philippines.
The overseas voting period runs until May 9.
As of the end of February, there were 27,458 non-resident Filipino workers in Macau, according to the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL).
May 9 is polling day in the Philippines.
Filipinos queue to cast their votes on Easter Sunday at the Harbourview Hotel in Nape. Photo: Maria Cheang Ut Meng
