Women Voters Kick Off Midterm Elections in Geneva

Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN and Other International Organizations in Geneva  Ambassador Evan P. Garcia (middle) with the first group of overseas Filipino voters. (Geneva PE photo)

GENEVA 17 April 2019 – Wanting to ensure that they were able to exercise their rights and cast their votes for the 2019 midterm elections, five Filipino women arrived before the Philippine Consulate General in Geneva opened the polling place on 13 April 2019.

Baby Alona De Asis, Khendee Amor Villaspin, Nora Payuyo, Rosalina Rosal and Maria Raquel Solina were among the first voters in the Swiss cantons of Geneva and Vaud.

“These outstanding and empowered women arrived ahead of everyone else on the first day of elections. I hope others will find inspiration in their earnest desire to fulfill a civic duty and participate, as soon as possible, in an activity that will directly shape the future of our country,” said Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN and Other International Organizations in Geneva Ambassador Evan P. Garcia.

A resident of Geneva, Ms. De Asis recounted how her inability to vote in the 2016 elections motivated her to ensure that she was registered in Geneva for the present election cycle. She stated that her early arrival was proof of her determination to exercise her rights as a citizen and to make a difference for the country in her own way, as an overseas Filipino.

Ms. Villaspin, on the other hand, cast her ballot early to set an example for fellow Filipinos that “time is gold” and one should therefore exert effort to be prompt, especially in performing such an important task.

The Philippine Consulate General, which has jurisdiction over the Swiss cantons of Geneva and Vaud, is continuing to ramp up its awareness and outreach campaigns to encourage all 2,529 registered overseas Filipino voters in the area to exercise their rights.

Updates may be viewed at the Consulate General’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PHinGeneva/ and website www.genevapcg.ph, while inquiries may be sent via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. END