February 23, 2005 , the Commission on Elections Committee on Overseas Absentee Voting held a Consultation Meeting on the Drafting of the General Instructions for the Continuing Overseas Absentee Voting Registration at the Bureau of Treasury Convention Hall at the Palacio del Gobernador Building in Intramuros, Manila.

The event was participated by the following: Chairman Benjamin S. Abalos, Sr.; Com. Rufino S.B. Javier; Com. Mehol K. Sadain; Com. Resurreccion Z. Borra; Com. Florentino A. Tuason, Jr.; Com. Virgilio O. Garcillano; Com. Manuel A. Barcelona, Jr.; representatives from government organizations such as the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO); and the Department of Labor and Employment; representatives from the Congress; and representatives from non-government organizations such as the Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA); the Episcopal Commission on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People-Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (ECMI-CBCP); Global Filipinos; and Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW) among others.

Since the registration for the next National Elections on May 2007 will start on 1 October 2005 until 31 August 2006 , all possible issues raised from its initial implementation in the May 2004 elections must be resolved. The consulting parties were each given a copy of the R.A. 9189 or the Overseas Absentee Voting Law and Resolution No. 6117 as reference. Each paragraph was carefully reviewed by the participants. If there were proposed corrections or clarifications, the matter is discussed openly until everybody agrees to the proposal or the subject in question is cleared.

Several issues included in the law were focused and were given ample time to be discussed such as who the qualified absentee voters are, what are the possible means to maximize absentee voting, and revise the provision stating that a registrant must return to the Philippines within three years starting from the date of registration.

All Filipino citizens who are at least 18 years of age on the day of elections and not otherwise disqualified by law, working and living abroad are qualified absentee voters.

An increase in the number of posts and voting via email was taken into consideration.

The provision on intent of return was said to be the saving grace of the law and it can not be removed. Given the circumstances, it was suggested that the three year period be lengthened instead.

The drafting of the general instructions lasted the whole day. Results of which will be posted in the OAV website.

Maria Celeste A. Marasigan