Bay Area Filipino-Americans have started to sign up with the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco as overseas absentee voters (OAV) for the 2007 Philippine elections.

Since the resumption of OAV registration at the Consulate last October 3, a more than 40 would-be voters have signed up. Despite the slow start, Consulate officials expect the pace to pick up as more people become aware of the opportunity to register and vote for Philippine elections.

Consul General Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez is personally appealing to all eligible Filipino-Americans to go out and register, and "let their voices be heard in the choice of the country's leaders."

"The act of casting a vote is one of the most important duties that we as citizens of the Republic of the Philippines have. It is a very simple task and yet it has such a profound effect on the future of our nation," she said.

Under the OAV law passed by Congress in 2003, all Filipinos living or working overseas are eligible to register and vote, provided they are at least 18 years of age and are not disqualified under the law.

These include those who reacquire Philippine citizenship under Republic Act 9225, or the dual citizenship law. "Dual citizens," moreover, may vote in the May 2007 national elections provided they take their oath as such citizens at least one year before the start of said elections.

The Philippine Consulate is advising applicants for registration to bring their Philippine passports, if available. Dual citizens who have not been issued Philippine passports may, however, present their Oath of Allegiance and Order of Approval as substitute documents.

The Commission on Elections has set a target of at least 100,000 registrants/voters in each of the foreign service posts in the United States "to make an impact on the outcome of the elections in the Philippines."

To shore up the registration numbers in its area of coverage, the San Francisco Consulate is looking to set up temporary mobile registration centers in areas with a heavy concentration of Filipinos, like malls, churches or parks.

OAV registration will also be brought to a number of major cities in the Consulate's jurisdiction, such as Reno and Tahoe in Nevada; Denver, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Sacramento, Vallejo, Stockton, Fresno, San Jose, and Salinas in California, among others.

Meanwhile, community organizations are encouraged to hold community assemblies where their members and constituents can have the chance to register as overseas voters or be informed of theirs rights and opportunities under the OAV law.

Vice-Consul Anthony Mandap and his team are available to answer any questions on the matter. His contact details are (415) 433-6666 ext. 309/310.