Registered Filipino expat voters in Abu Dhabi raised their voices together as they participated in the month-long Overseas Absentee Voting that took place at the Philippine Embassy grounds from April 13 to May 13, that saw a total of 15,806 or 14.48% of total registered voters, out from a total of 109,130.
The number is a record high increase of 5.68% compared to the 2013 midterm elections that saw only 8.8% of voter turnout for the UAE.
Ambassador Hjayceelyn Quintana praised the efforts of Filipino voters who went out of their busy schedule to practice their right to suffrage. “To our kababayans, I commend those who exercised their right to vote. Voting is the highest act of patriotism that every Filipino can perform as a Filipino citizen. I’m proud of all those who did not let the simple inconveniences get in the way in appreciating the right that has been given to them and the resources that have been allocated so that every Filipino, wherever they may be, could participate in nation-building,” said Quintana.
Solidifying the Duterte regime
Majority of the OFW vote that comprised Abu Dhabi’s ‘Magic 12’ went towards candidates who have openly expressed their support and/or were candidates endorsed by President Rodrigo Duterte. These include former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, former police chief Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa, Senator Kiko Pimentel, Smartmatic whistle blower Glenn Chong, former political adviser to the president, Francis Tolentino, as well as guest candidates Sonny Angara, Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, Larry Gadon, and Doc Willie Ong. Senator Grace Poe was the only Independent candidate to complete the list.
Here are the numbers: (Partial and unofficial tally)
DELA ROSA, BATO (PDPLBN) Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan: 10919
GO, BONG GO (PDPLBN): 10379
ONG, DOC WILLIE (LAKAS): 9944
MARCOS, IMEE (NP): 9898
CAYETANO, PIA (NP) Nacionalista Party: 9453
VILLAR, CYNTHIA (NP): 8439
TOLENTINO, FRANCIS (PDPLBN): 7645
CHONG, GLENN (KDP): 6292
ANGARA, EDGARDO SONNY (LDP) Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino: 5969
GADON, LARRY (KBL) Kilusang Bagong Lipunan: 5866
PIMENTEL, KOKO (PDPLBN): 5163
POE, GRACE (IND): 4824
Party List results
Tulfo-led ACT-CIS party list group won the hearts of the Abu Dhabi Filipino voters by a landslide, trailed by Mocha Uson’s AA-Kasosyo Party. This was followed by OFW Family, Duterte Youth, and the Serbisyo sa Bayan Party.
Here are the results: (Partial and unofficial tally)
(101) ACT-CIS – ANTI-CRIME AND TERRORISM COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND SUPPORT, INC.: 3483
(181) AA-KASOSYO PARTY – KASOSYO PRODUCER-CONSUMER EXCHANGE ASSOCIATION INC.: 1361
(007) OFW FAMILY – OFW FAMILY CLUB, INC: 790
(157) DUTERTE YOUTH – DUTY TO ENERGIZE THE REPUBLIC THROUGH THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE YOUTH SECTORAL PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION: 790
(067) SBP – SERBISYO SA BAYAN APRTY: 706
(116) ACTS-OFW – ACTS OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS COALITION OF ORGANIZATIONS: 584
(033) CIBAC – CITIZENS’ BATTLE AGAINST CORRUPTION: 344
(001) BAYAN MUNA – BAYAN MUNA: 311
(130) SENIOR CITIZENS – COALITION OF ASSOCIATION OF SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES, INC.: 296
(109) KALINGA – KALINGA – ADVOCACY FOR SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT AND NATION-BUILDING THROUGH EASING POVERTY, INC.: 289
(138) MAGDALO – MAGDALO PARA SA PILIPINO: 289
(003) MAGSASAKA – MAGKAKASAMA SA SAKAHAN, KAUNLARAN: 262
(012) ANG NARS – ANG NARS, INC.: 262
(037) GABRIELA – GABRIELA WOMEN’S APRTY: 218
(122) 1PACMAN – ONE PATRIOTIC COALITION OF MARGINALIZED NATIONALS: 130
(087) BUHAY – BUHAY HAYAAN YUMABONG: 128
A Salute to Volunteers
Quintana also took the opportunity to commend the Embassy staff as well as the Filipino community volunteers who have all been instrumental to ensure smooth operations throughout the month-long overseas absentee voting.
“I wish to commend our embassy and consulate staff (including staff from our Philippine Overseas Labor Offices or POLOs) who have been deputized by COMELEC to oversee the conduct of the elections as well as the countless volunteers from the Filipino community for their selfless service during the voting period. Congratulations for a job well done. For the Embassy and Consulate staff, they did it for straight 1 month on top of their regular duties, no weekends and no holidays. Our volunteers did the same, taking time off from work and using their own resources to make sure they were in the precincts at the prescribed time, acting as watchers and guides,” said Quintana.
