DUBAI: Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the UAE said they will definitely participate in the upcoming midterm electoral exercise – but most are still trying to make up their mind about filling up all 12 senatorial votes.
“Boboto ako pero hindi muna sa April 13, later pa, siguro mga 1st week of May pa. Pumipili pa ako ng iboboto ko na mga senators, so far ay 6 pa lang ang nasa list ko,” said Milo Torres, professional photographer at Dubai Media City and an active community advocate. “Maraming kandidato kasing puro bago at yung iba ay nakakasawa na.”
Same with Maranao community leader Roy Tamano who, like Torres, is expecting a good turnout noting the 165,714 new registered voters. “Not yet,” he said when asked if he already has a full slate, adding that he’d most probably not be voting straight.
Josie Conlu, head of the 2019 Philippine Independence Day Organizing Committee, for her part said she will also not be voting straight. “Half-half ang nagugustuhan ko,” she said.
Engr. Frankie Boton, who founded and heads a growing outdoors cycling group, said he also still has to complete his senatorial slate. “Sa ngayon ay kulang pa at nakikiramdam pa ng pangkumpleto sa 12. Hindi naman kasi ako tumitingin sa if saang partido sya nakasapi, bagkus ay yung voice of will nya kung papaano sya mangampanya sa paraang papaano nya pinapakita sa tao ang totoong siya,” he said.
Boton added: “Hindi naman po lahat ng may kakayanan at sincere ay nasa isang partido lamang. Saan pa yung kalayaan nating pumili if mag-istick lang po tayo sa isang majority group o sa kesyo angat lang sya sa survey?”
Maricris Gallos Gapi, who works at a clinic in Dubai, said she has been voting since 2004 and will vote again this time because there have bee changes in the way things are. “Three weeks lang renewal ng passport ko, dati three months. At napaganda na rin ang lugar natin lalo na sa airport – naloko na ako dya dati,” she said. She said she only has four on her slate so far.
“Sa totoo lang I have no clue about the people running for office this time pero I’ll check on them online and decide from there,” said Kris Ayuso, sales executive.
