Ambassador Nestor Z. Ochoa of the Philippine Embassy has announced that during the Pasko ng Pinoy festivities at the Scout Centre on 11 December 2011, eligible Filipino voters may register as overseas absentee voters (OAV).

All citizens of the Philippines abroad, not otherwise disqualified by law, at least eighteen (18) years of age on the day of the election, and who wish to vote for Senators and Party-List Representatives for purposes of the 13 May 2013 National Elections may file applications for registration/certification as overseas absentee voters up to 31 October 2012.

"We encourage our countrymen to take advantage of the offsite registration during the said gathering. Voters' registration is free of charge," said Ambassador Ochoa.

Philippine Passport and Other Requirements. To facilitate registration and accomplishment of the registration form for OAV, applicants are requested to bring a valid Philippine passport or a copy thereof as proof of their identity. (The passport shall be returned to the applicant as soon as it is photocopied onsite.) A copy of the passport is required as an attachment to the OAV registration form.

Applicants are also required to submit themselves for the live (onsite) capture of their biometrics data through the Voter Registration Machine (VRM).

There are additional requirements for dual citizens, seafarers, and immigrants or permanent residents in the host country.

Qualifications. Filipino citizens who are legal residents in Brunei and seafarers are eligible to register at the Philippine Embassy in Brunei.
• Will be in Brunei on election day and
• At least 18 years old on the day of the elections (born on or before 13 May 1995)
• Not otherwise disqualified by law.

Disqualifications. Any one of the following may disqualify an applicant from registering:

• Loss of Filipino citizenship. Those who have lost their Filipino citizenship in accordance with Philippine laws;

• Renunciation of Philippine citizenship. Those who have expressly renounced their Philippine citizenship and who have pledged allegiance to a foreign country—except dual citizens who have reacquired or retained their Philippine citizenship under the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003 (Republic Act No. 9225);

• Conviction of criminal offense. Those who have been convicted by final judgment of a court or tribunal of an offense punishable by imprisonment of one year or longer; or found guilty of committing disloyalty as defined under the Revised Penal Code; and/or
• Insanity or incompetence. Those who have been previously declared insane or incompetent by a competent authority in the Philippines or abroad.

Status of Voter's IDs. Ambassador Ochoa has also confirmed that COMELEC has mailed the voter's IDs directly to the voter's authorized representative in the Philippines.

Filipinos who registered as overseas absentee voters in 2009 may verify through the COMELEC's database the status of their voter's ID. Interested voters may approach the Embassy's OAV desk at the Pasko ng Pinoy gathering for assistance or contact the Embassy during regular office hours.

Inquiries. For further inquiries, the Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam can be reached through office tel. +673 223 8845 or 224 1465; hotline 871 4881; fax no. 223 7707; and email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Philippine Embassy is open on Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays), at 8:30am -12:30pm and 1:30-5:30pm. The Embassy is located at Simpang 336, Diplomatic Enclave, Jalan Kebangsaan, BA 1210 Bandar Seri Begawan and accessible through purple bus nos. 35 and 36.