Berlin – The Philippine Embassy in Berlin reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila that as of June 30, 2014, two hundred fifty Filipinos have already registered since the start of the overseas voting registration on May 6, 2014.

Most of the new voters came to the Philippine Embassy to renew their passports and they said it was a matter of good timing that they could register as an overseas voter as well. Some have agreed to be interviewed about their motivation to register and their voting behaviors.

For many years they have been staying in Germany and it came as a pleasant surprise that they can now vote in the Philippine presidential elections taking place in May 2016.
Flora Fe Schierke, a resident of Wiesbaden-Biebrich, was pleased to learn that voting is now much easier. “Mahirap bumoto sa atin, mahaba ang pila pag hahanapin mo ang pangalan mo sa precinct,” she reminisced. When told that voters based in Germany can vote by mail, she remarked, “that’s good na puede i-deliver by mail, I am so happy that at the same day of the elections you will already know the results. Asked about what campaign promises should our leaders make so that she would be voting for them, she noted, “Alam mo, taon-taon, laging bumabaha na lang sa Metro Manila, tapos malala ang trapik! Sana ma-address naman ang mga ito!”
Jane Hartung, a Filipino entrepreneur and owner of Transwing Art Gallery, said that after finishing college she left for Germany which she now considers as her second home. “I have no experience taking part as an overseas voter but now after learning that I can register and vote, I have started to take interest in what’s happening in the Philippines and the importance of having leaders of quality elected to serve in government,” she said.
Erwin Santos, a resident of Cologne, noted, “I have been in Germany for 15 years, and it will be my first time to vote. I only watch what’s happening in the Philippines through TFC, and I was not too much interested about politics. Now that I have registered as a voter, I will start reading up in the internet on what’s happening in the Philippines.”
Many of the registrants have the shared sentiment that the only way to effect change is through voting. Grace Ungano Jose, a resident of Berlin, remarked, “It is normal for me to read news on the Philippines online.  There are may things to be proud of about our country, but I also see that things can still get better politically. I encourage Filipinos abroad to vote, wherever they may be, so that they can help promote change in the Philippines.”
For Princess Joy Bergonio, parents must set a good example for children, and one of these examples is to show that voting is a precious right of every Filipino. “I just missed registering in the Philippines since I left when I was 16 years old,” she revealed, “ I think as parents of Filipino children we should set a good example. Someday, I‘d like my children to register as overseas voters as well.” Princess Joy’s cousin, Devine Grace Bergonio, had strong views on why Filipinos abroad should exercise their right of suffrage, “I hope by voting, we can be a catalyst for change in the Philippines.  Voting is a powerful way of sending a message to politicians that we are only choosing the right representatives who can make laws to improve the lives of Filipinos.”
For some of the registrants, voting is a totally new experience, since they were raised as second-generation Filipinos in Germany.
Asked why he wanted to register and vote, Jomarck Caoile, 19 years old, replied in German, „Weil ich die Zukunft meines Landes it bestimmen möchte.“ (I want to vote to improve the future of the country.)  His sister, Lorie Caoile, 22 years old, added, „Ich möchte wählen, um die Freiheit meines volkes zu gewährleisten.“ (I want to vote to preserve the liberty of the Filipino people.)
Jomarck and Lorie’s mother, Gloria Raschko, hails from Caba La Union, and was instrumental in convincing her children to register for the 2016 presidential elections.
Meanwhile, other Filipinos residing in Germany have also revealed how they keep themselves updated on events in the Philippines. For Ana Lyn Kannengiessen, who lives in Neumagen,  the use of social media such as facebook is critical to learn about the issues confronted by her kababayan in the Philippines. “It’s been many years since I had last voted, and that was in the 1990s, now I am happy to be given the chance to vote while abroad.  The leaders who I want to serve the Filipino people should be those who make policies to help the country attain economic development,” she said.
The Philippine Embassy has stepped up its overseas voting (OV) registration drive by holding it alongside its passport mobile outreach in Bochum on June 7, 2014 and during the 116th Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Essen on June 14, 2014.
Filipino-German associations based in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia such as ALAEH e.V. as well as the Filipino parish community in the Diocese of Essen have pledged to offer their assistance to spread the news of the Philippine overseas registration campaign.
The Philippine Embassy in Berlin is encouraging all Filipino citizens who will be at least 18 years old by 09 May 2016, and who have not yet registered for voting abroad, to register. The Philippine Embassy is also calling on all overseas voters based in Germany to inform the Embassy about their new addresses so that they are able to vote in the 2016 presidential elections.
The Embassy may be reached through email at magregisterna@philippine-embassy.de for any questions regarding the voting registration. (END)