The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Registration Center at the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) is currently leading in the number of overseas voter registrants compared to other registration centers in other departments and government agencies, according to the COMELEC

Commission on Filipinos Overseas

March 14, 2026

(Photo courtesy: Commission on Filipinos Overseas)

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Registration Center at the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) is currently leading in the number of overseas voter registrants compared to other registration centers in other departments and government agencies, according to the COMELEC.

During the “Votes That Count: Overseas Voting Dialogue with the Filipino Diaspora” held on 26 February 2026 at the CFO Main Office in Pasay City, COMELEC Director III Jan Jordan Poon of the Office for Overseas Voting noted that the CFO-based registration center has recorded the highest number of registrants so far.

“The overseas diaspora is one of the backbones of our economy—through their remittances and strategic investments in the Philippines—so it’s only right that they should participate in the elections so that they can also shape and influence policies that are relevant to them,” Poon said.

He added that the local registration center hosted at the Commission has been drawing strong turnout from eligible voters.

“We have a local field registration center here in CFO, na currently leading in terms of numbers [of registrants],” he said.

The dialogue, organized by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs through the Overseas Voting Secretariat and the COMELEC Office for Overseas Voting, brought together government officials, Filipino diaspora leaders, civil society representatives, and overseas Filipinos in a hybrid forum to discuss overseas voting reforms and participation in Philippine elections.

The activity took place amid the country’s electoral modernization efforts following the adoption of internet voting beginning with the 2025 elections—making the Philippines the first country in Asia to implement the system for overseas Filipinos.

In his opening remarks, CFO Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II reiterated the Commission’s longstanding advocacy to strengthen overseas Filipinos’ participation in Philippine democratic processes. Ensuring that Filipinos overseas remain connected to the country’s political processes forms part of the Commission’s broader mandate to strengthen the diaspora’s ties with the Philippines.

The Commission also reminded overseas Filipinos to exercise their right to suffrage even while living or working abroad. Overseas Filipinos may continue registering at the CFO registration center as part of preparations for the 2028 national elections.

By providing accessible voter registration and fostering dialogue with Filipino communities abroad, the CFO continues to support efforts that enable overseas Filipinos not only to contribute to national development through remittances and investments, but also to actively participate in shaping the country’s democratic future.

About the Commission on Filipinos Overseas

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), established under Batas Pambansa 79, is dedicated to the welfare and empowerment of Filipinos permanently residing abroad. It is distinct from the Department of Migrant Workers, which primarily addresses the needs of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and other temporary migrants.

The CFO, which is an agency under the Office of the President, works to strengthen the social, economic, and cultural ties of global Filipinos with their home country. Its primary stakeholders include Filipino permanent migrants, dual citizens, spouses and partners of foreign nationals, individuals under the Exchange Visitor Program, au pair participants bound for Europe, and Filipino descendants overseas.

For more information, please contact Atty. Jan Karlo Magracia of the Office of the Secretary at jkmagracia@cfo.gov.ph.