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	Absentee voting issues
		MANILA, Nov. 21  -- Even before the Absentee Voting Bill is signed into law, already there are issues coming to the fore. For one thing, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is asking for an additional P200 million in its 2003 budget to deploy "election attaches" abroad in time for the implementation of the Absentee Voting Law in 2004. The poll body is seeking a P1-billion allocation for the conduct of elections for overseas Filipinos. The poll body is also asserting its right, as provided for under the Constitution, to supervise all election processes, whether locally or abroad. The Senate and House versions of the Absentee Voting Bill, now up for deliberation by a bicameral		conference committee to reconcile conflicting provisions, both give the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through its embassies and consulates, the responsibility of conducting overseas elections. The Comelec insists on putting its own officials at the embassies and consular offices "to ensure the secrecy and sanctity of the ballots cast," according to Comelec chair Benjamin Abalos. The implied message here is that the DFA would not know how to go about ensuring fair, honest and credible elections because they do not have an adequate grasp of our election laws. The independence and impartiality of DFA personnel can also be called into question, because they take orders from the		President who is at the same time the head of the administration party. Spending P1.2 billion in taxpayers money to allow millions of overseas Filipinos the right to suffrage is not the issue. We believe that if we want overseas Filipinos to take part in choosing their leaders, then we should be willing to spend for it. The more important issue, now that government has agreed to give overseas Pinoys the right to vote, is what safeguards should be put in place so that the electoral process will be clean  and credible. All efforts should now be focused along this direction. (MNS)
	Passage of Absentee Voting Bill
		HONOLULU, Hawaii - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today brought good news to the Filipino community here: the passage of the absentee voting bill in both houses of Congress during the third and final reading. Speaking at a press conference held at the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu, Hawaii, the President said "this is the farthest the bill has gone in all the administrations which attempted to enact it." The President asked the Filipinos in Hawaii to join her in praying that the differing provisions of the House and the Senate versions will be ironed out soon in the bicameral conference committee so that this can be implemented soon. The absentee voting bill will allow Filipinos residing or working abroad to exercise their right of suffrage. She also announced the passing of the dual citizenship bill in the Senate on third and final reading. The President, in her opening remarks, thanked the Filipino community in Hawaii for helping her in improving and developing the Philippine economy.		The President, upon arrival here at what she described as "fantastic" Filipino Community Center, had a ceremonial planting of a narra tree. She also toured the center, met with Filipino-American veterans and had photo sessions with them. She also met with "sacadas" or original plantation workers in Hawaii and the Fil-Am students here. The President's plane, PR 100, arrived from Manila at around 7:30 a.m. (Hawaii time) Along with First Gentleman Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo, and the rest of the presidential party, she proceeded immediately to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel where she received United States Senator Daniel Inouye, and later Admiral Thomas Fargo, commander in chief of the US Pacific Command (CINCPAC). Earlier, the President had a luncheon hosted by Hawaii Governor and Mrs. Benjamin Cayetano. Among the other guests were top officials of Hawaii who are of Filipino descent.		Later tonight, the President will have, dinner with the Filipino-American community here at the Tapa Room of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel where she is billeted. The President made an overnight visit to this city on her way to attend the 10th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (PAEC) Leaders Meeting in Los Cabos, Mexico. According to the President, the history of the Philippines in Hawaii is a mirror of the partnership between the Philippines and the United States of America. "This partnership is firm. It is molded by history and shared strategic interests," the President said. The President said her trip to Hawaii "is a very refreshing and rewarding experience." She thanked Governor Cayetano and the entire people of Hawaii for their warm reception and hospitality. (OPS)
	Original 'sacadas' children in Hawaii elated over meeting with President Arroyo
		HONOLULU, Hawaii (via PLDT) - For some of the remaining early Filipino sacadas or plantation workers and their children here, meeting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a privilege and rare opportunity. "This is my first time to meet a president, a Philippine President. My first time to shake a president's hand. It was a privilege," said Livia Valido, 68 years old, whose parents were among the sacadas who arrived here in 1930. Pedro Subia, who turned 82 today, considered his meeting with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as a "great gift." "I'm thankful to see President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Today is specially lucky for me. This is an opportunity, a great (birthday) gift," Subia said in his native Ilocano dialect. Ninety-three-year-old Damaso Gamundoy, the oldest living sacada here, is grateful and thankful to see the President. Gamundoy's parents arrived and worked here in 1928. These sentiments were also shared by representatives of the World War II veterans, sacadas' children as well as Filipino-American students from various colleges and universities here.		The President met them informally at the grand ballroom of the $18-million Filipino Community Center in Waipahu after touring the three-story facility. The President received cheers and applause as she entered the ballroom. The Fil-Ams here, who eagerly awaited her arrival, warmly and excitedly welcomed the Chief Executive, waving small Philippine flags. In a brief message, the President thanked the Filipino-American community here for their support in helping improve and develop the Philippine economy. The President also lauded the sacadas for their very important role in the history of Hawaii, citing the hardships they suffered like the parents of Hawaii Fil-Am Gov. Benjamin Cayetano. Addressing the veterans, who submitted a resolution asking the President to intercede on their behalf with the US for the provision of their full benefits, the President said there is an appropriation measure that has already been passed in the US House of Representatives granting $65,000 for five years for the Filipino veterans' health benefits in the US.		The President said this is now in the Senate, sponsored by Senator Daniel Inouye, a Japanese-American also from Hawaii. She also informed them of the $500-million a year health benefits for veterans in the Philippines which has already been approved in the US Congress. An impressed President described the Filipino Community Center here as fantastic and fabulous. The construction of the Center started in 2000. It was formally opened in June 2002. The FilCom Center serves as a gathering place for promoting activities that will help strengthen, perpetuate and promote the rich Filipino cultural heritage and values. It also serves as a family-focused center offering varied social and human service programs for Filipino-Americans. (OPS)
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