By Eric Borromeo
Senatorial candidates Atty. Jimmy Bondoc and Atty. Raul Lambino, along with legal colleague Atty. Bobbet Torreon, have formally filed a petition opposing the implementation of online voting for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The group argues that the proposed system lacks legal grounding and sufficient safeguards to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The petition, submitted to the Supreme Court on April 3, challenges the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) push for internet-based voting for overseas Filipinos. House Bill No. 10178, also known as the Overseas Electronic Registration and Voting Act, has already been approved by the House of Representatives, paving the way for online registration and voting through web-based platforms.
The new online voting system, which will be used in the May 2025 elections, aims to allow OFWs to vote remotely through a web-based platform. To participate, OFWs must pre-enroll between March 10 and May 7, 2025, by submitting valid identification and undergoing identity verification. Once enrolled, they will receive credentials to access the voting portal during the overseas voting period from April 13 to May 12, 2025. The system is designed to reduce the need for travel to polling stations, but critics, including Bondoc’s group, have raised concerns about its security and legality.
The petition seeks to halt the implementation of the online voting system for OFWs. The petitioners argue that the system lacks legal authorization, as there is no existing law permitting the Comelec to implement such a system.
They also express concerns over the security and integrity of the online voting platform, fearing vulnerabilities to manipulation, fraud, and cybersecurity risks. The petitioners are calling for a return to manual voting for OFWs to ensure their voting rights are fully protected, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the secrecy and privacy of the ballot.
Following the filing, a press junket was held where Bondoc, Torreon, and Lambino addressed the media. They reiterated their concerns about the vulnerabilities of online voting and the potential impact on OFWs’ suffrage.
Both Bondoc and Lambino are affiliated with the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) led by former President Rodrigo Duterte. They emphasized that their petition was not intended to cast doubt on Comelec’s intentions.
“We don’t want to put malice on the petition, we just want Comelec to follow the law. There is no existing law on this. We’re just heeding the clamor of OFWs. They fear that with this online voting, their rights will be compromised,” Bondoc said.
“Bakit namin ngayon lang ito ginawa? May panawagan po sa amin ang ating mga kababayan sa ibang bansa sa policy na ito ng Comelec. May oras pa para maibalik sa dating sistema ang botohan, at yon naman ay ayon sa batas,” Lambino added.
Atty. Torreon stressed the importance of voter participation among OFWs, saying: “Bumoto po kayo. Kung hindi kayo boboto, paano n’yo masasabing dinaya kayo? Paano po tayo makapagrereklamo?”
The petition highlights the ongoing tension between efforts to modernize electoral systems and the need to preserve the credibility and security of the voting process. With the matter now pending before the Supreme Court, its decision could set a precedent for the future of electronic voting in the Philippines.
In an emotional appeal, Bondoc urged the Comelec to consider the voices of OFWs and uphold their voting rights as enshrined by law.
“Naninikluhod po ang mga OFW sa inyo, at kaming maliliit, at malalaki na ring kandidato sa inyo. Nakaluhod po kami. Meron po kayong malaking kapangyarihan upang makabawas po sa gulo sa ating bayan ngayon. Sobra pong affected ang OFW dito sa mga Comelec policies. Pangalagaan nyo naman po ang mga OFW. Gusto lang nila, bilang kapalit sa pagiging bayani nila, marinig lang sila kahit sa isang boto lang nila,” he said.
The national elections are set for May 12, 2025, for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and May 13, 2025, for domestic voters, with the voting process playing a crucial role in shaping the future of the country.
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