House panel OKs Internet voting bill for OFWs

A bill allowing Internet registration and voting for overseas Filipino workers, including seafarers, advanced in the House of Representatives on Tuesday after being approved by the committee on suffrage and electoral reforms.

The panel endorsed the consolidated versions of House Bills 2534 and 2293, which seek to amend the Overseas Absentee Voting Act (Republic Act 9189) to expand voting options for Filipinos abroad through online processes.

Under the measure, registration, certification, transfer of registration, and voting would be made accessible online for qualified overseas voters. At present, registration and voting are done in person at designated posts such as embassies and consulates.

Proponents 4Ps Rep. JC Abalos and Quezon City Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar said migrant workers still face difficulties despite existing provisions under RA 9189, citing distant polling sites and limited registration access. These challenges have contributed to low overseas voter turnout.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed 2.16 million Filipinos worked abroad in 2023.

According to Comelec Executive Director Teopisto Elnas Jr., only 10,000 seafarers are currently registered to vote. Department of Migrant Workers Assistant Secretary Jerome Pampolina told lawmakers that this represents less than two percent of the 568,920 deployed seafarers in 2024, adding that many seafarers have limited or no Internet access while on board.

The Comelec piloted Internet voting during the May 2025 polls, allowing overseas voters to cast ballots through mobile devices. Elnas said the poll body is hoping for the swift passage of the bill to allow full implementation by the 2028 national elections, following issues recorded during the pilot test.

The House passed a similar bill in the 19th Congress, but the Senate version did not progress beyond the committee level.