17 May 2016 – The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon officially concluded the 31-day overseas elections period on 12:00 nn, May 09 at the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon. Of the roughly 27,000 Filipinos living and working in the country, 47% are registered overseas Filipino voters.

Under the leadership of Ambassador Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz, all Embassy officers and staff including their family members casted their votes on April 09, the first day of the overseas election, to encourage other registered voters in Lebanon to take part in the shaping of Philippine democracy by exercising their civil rights through the voting process.

The voter turnout for the 2016 overseas election reached 33% from a total of 12,741 overseas registered voters in Lebanon, the highest record of voter turnout compared to previous elections. In the mid-term 2013 election, voter turnout was at 28% of the 4,293 registered voters, while 23% of the 3,575 registered voters casted their votes during the 2010 presidential election.

This year’s election was considered a breakthrough in Philippine overseas election history in Lebanon due to the improved voter turnout despite the usual difficulties of many overseas Filipinos in Lebanon to take time to vote due to their work schedules. The Embassy, taking into consideration factors of convenience and availability, for the substantial number of Filipino household service workers (HSWs) conducted a total of 19 field overseas voting in Hamra, Tripoli, Antelias, Dora, Zahle and Saida.

Overall, the overseas election in Lebanon had been smooth and successful, as evidenced by the greater number of overseas Filipinos who wanted to have a say in the future development of the Philippines, with many of them holding high hopes that their votes could translate into meaningful changes in the country and their lives through their chosen candidates. END