First to Vote - OAV Riyadh Update

From Grace Cabacungan of The Netherlands:

Saturday, April 14, 2007 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - OFW Congress-Riyadh President Mr. Alex Veloso Bello is urging Filipino community leaders in Saudi Arabia to set an example to their members by casting their votes early this week.


OFWC Pres. Alex Veloso Bello at Polling Booth

A call received from Mr. Alex Bello who is now at Philippine Embassy, one of the first Absentee Voters who sacrificed the first hours of his work and instead give time to go to Embassy to exercise his right of suffrage.

Early absentee voters who casted their votes includes Mr. Romeo Sinamban, head of Capampangan Riyadh Workers Association (CARIWA) and his wife.

Filcom Leader Mr.Romeo Sinamban and wife

Alex Veloso Bello asked community leaders to provide necessary information to our Embassy and Consulate the fax numbers of their members whose companies employing considerable numbers of OFW absentee voters for our Philippine Mission in KSA to do the following:

1) Informing the companies of the conduct of the 2007 elections,

2) Request to allow Filipino employees to cast their votes;

3) Provide appropriate transportation to the voting venue; and

4) To schedule their employees during the weekdays in order to avoid the long lines during Thursday and Fridays.

Ambassador Tony Villamor inspecting CLOAV

"Lets do our share to encourage our members to "Go Out and Vote" and participate in the election process", Alex Bello added.

OFW Congress-Ruh is spearheading a campaign "ANG BOTO MO MAHALAGA! BANTAYAN MO!"

OFWC Executive Council and participating member organizations will conduct the campaign starting today 14 April 2007 to May 14, 2007 up to the counting and canvassing of votes in Riyadh.

The group will also report the outcome of the election every week and any incidents detrimental in the honest, clean and peaceful electoral process will be reported to the public accordingly.

(L-R) Romy Sinamban, Head of OAV Vice Consul Gerardo Abiog, Attache Delsa Deriada & Alex V. Bello