GOVPH

1 December 2016—The Philippine Embassy in The Netherlands informs the Filipino community that the period of filing applications for registration to the Overseas Voting for the 2019 National Elections and subsequent elections is from 01 December 2016 until 30 September 2018.

All citizens of the Philippines, who are abroad or will be abroad during the 30-day voting period on 13 May 2019, at least eighteen (18) years of age on the day of the elections, and not otherwise disqualified by law, may register.

The following, however, shall be disqualified from registering:

1. Those who have lost their Filipino citizenship in accordance with Philippine laws;

2. Those who have expressly renounced their Philippine citizenship or who have pledged allegiance to a foreign country; except dual citizens as referred to under Republic Act No. 9225, otherwise known as the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003;

3. Those who have committed and are convicted in a final judgment by a court or tribunal of an offense punishable by imprisonment of not less than one (1) year, such disability not having been removed by plenary pardon or amnesty; provided, however, that any person disqualified to register under this subsection shall automatically acquire the right to vote upon expiration of five (5) years after service of sentence; and

4. Any citizen of the Philippines abroad previously declared insane or incompetent by competent authority in the Philippines or abroad, as verified by the Philippine embassies, consulates or Foreign Service establishments concerned, unless such competent authority subsequently certifies that such person is no longer insane or incompetent.

Where to File

Registration may be filed at the Embassy.

Requirements for filing of applications for registration/certification

Every applicant shall accomplish OVF No. 1 and submit the following:

1. Valid Philippine passport to establish her/his identity. In the absence of a valid passport, a certification of the DFA that it has reviewed the appropriate documents submitted by the applicant and found them sufficient to warrant the issuance of a passport, or that the applicant is a holder of a valid passport but is unable to produce the same for a valid reason;

2. In case of applicants who availed themselves of the “Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act” (RA 9225), the original or certified true copy of the Order of Approval of their application to retain or reacquire their Filipino citizenship issued by the Embassy or their Identification Certificates issued by the Posts or the Bureau of Immigration; or

3. In case of seafarers, a photocopy of their Seaman’s Book or any other pertinent document.

Registration/Certification Procedures

Applicants may secure OVF No. 1 by:

1. Getting it from the Post;

2. Downloading it from the websites of COMELEC, DFA, OFOV or any Post; or

3. Filing it “online” using the iRehistro facility of the COMELEC at its website at www.comelec.gov.ph for purposes of encoding the demographics and setting an appointment for the capturing of biometrics. For this purpose, the applicant has to print the application form and personally appear before the Embassy on the date and time of scheduled appointment to submit the application for registration and for purposes of capturing the biometrics.

The Embassy enjoins the Filipinos in the Netherlands to exercise their right to vote by registering as an Overseas Voter (end). 

The Embassy of the Philippines wishes to inform that pursuant to COMELEC Notice of Hearing the Resident Election Registration Board (RERB) of the Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV) will be convened on 17 October 2016 for the deactivation of overseas voters who failed to vote in the 2013 and 2016 National Elections. Among those covered are 350 overseas voters registered in the Netherlands who are likely to be deactivated. If you are among those likely to be deactivated, you may wish to verify your name by sending this Embassy an email at : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Attn: The Administrative Officer)