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Platform of
Filipino Migrant Organizations in Europe
Platform
Communiqué March 25, 2002
Filipino Migrants in Europe Urge Legislators Passage
of AVB Now!
More than 300 Overseas Filipinos from migrant
community organisations and from cultural, women, church groups strongly urged
Philippine Senators and Congress Representatives for the immediate passage of
the Absentee Voting Bill (AVB) during bicameral Congressional Consultation in
Rome on March 21, 2002.
The same urgent message was conveyed in letters
read out during the Consultation from Platform member organisations and other
migrant organisations, from several countries in Europe: Spain, France,
Belgium, UK, The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Italy and Greece.
The sentiment of the Overseas Filipinos in
Europe was loud and clear. We want the immediate passage of the law and its
implementation for elections 2004!
Overseas Voting is indeed a hot and urgent
issue. It is hot like a pandesal keeping alive our right to suffrage. It is
also hot as an urgent, fundamental human and constitutional right. Our struggle and demand for the realisation of
this political and civil right links us together –across the diaspora of 7 million overseas Filipinos.
Key concerns flagged up during the dialogue
included the following points:
- Registration,
actual voting and counting of ballots abroad.
- Scope
and coverage inclusive for all qualified overseas Filipinos whether
land-based, sea-based, documented and undocumented.
- The
law should be complete and unconditional (once and for all). Once the law
is enacted, it is valid for all times and not only for the first election.
As for 2004 elections, the migrant community in
Europe made a strong commitment as to good practice to ensure the safeguarding
the integrity and security of all stages of the electoral process.
Were the legislators convinced? Although the
Legislators were reluctant to hear about the 15-year denial of our right,
however the overall indicators are positive. They gave their commitment that
they are for it! They have decided to synchronise the two bills of both
Chambers in order to expedite immediate legislation.
Let’s look forward then for ACTION NOW in this current 12th Congress!