PH CONSULATE IN SF HOSTS TRAINING AND INFORMATION DRIVE FOR THE UPCOMING 2025 NATIONAL ELECTIONS INTERNET VOTING ROLL-OUT
Day 1 training participants pose with officials from the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco led by Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer, COMELEC Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV) led by COMELEC Commissioners Socorro B. Inting, Ernesto P. Maceda, Jr., and Marlon S. Casquejo, and DFA Officials from the Overseas Voting Secretariat team led by Deputy Undersecretary Christina Gracia R. McKernan
Filipino Community leaders join the PCG and officials from DFA-OVS and COMELEC on the second day to learn about internet voting and how they can empower every Filipino in the jurisdiction
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, USA – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, under the leadership of Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer, hosted the Online Voting and Counting System Training for U.S. Posts on September 13, 2024, followed by the Internet Voting Information Drive for Filipino Community Leaders the next day.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs Overseas Voting Secretariat (DFA-OVS) conducted both the training for DFA personnel and the information drive for the Filipino community. These initiatives are part of the ongoing efforts to implement internet voting for Overseas Filipinos in the upcoming 2025 National Elections. The training aimed to equip Foreign Service Posts (FSPs) with the necessary skills and knowledge to facilitate internet voting, while the information drive focused on educating Filipino community leaders and media about this new voting process. COMELEC Commissioners Socorro B. Inting, Ernesto P. Maceda, Jr., and Marlon S. Casquejo led various activities.
Consul General Ferrer expressed thanks to the COMELEC and DFA-OVS for holding the activities in San Francisco. In his welcome remarks, Consul General Ferrer emphasized the value of continuous learning in public service and noted that “activities like this one enable us to adapt to changing circumstances, develop innovative solutions, and remain grounded in the principles of good governance”.
During the Internet Voting Information Drive, the COMELEC Commissioners encouraged Filipino community leaders to embrace the new technology, saying it would enhance the democratic process.
Consul General Ferrer also shared his hopes with the community leaders: “You are here because we believe you are our ambassadors and partners in empowering the Filipino American community. We hope you will share today’s learnings with your organizations, families, and peers, and encourage them to participate in nation-building by exercising their right to vote. Your support amplifies our voice in reaching every Filipino in the area.” END
During the Internet Voting Information Drive, Filipino community leaders had the opportunity to use their mobile phones and IDs to try out internet voting themselves. Many expressed enthusiasm for the new process, voicing their commitment to advocate for its adoption and encourage friends, colleagues, and peers to participate in the upcoming elections.