Robredo requests special polling centers for BPO workers
Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo sent a petition to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) asking for special voting centers and the amendment of Executive Order No. 157 to accommodate Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) employees in the upcoming election.
Considering their work hours, Robredo explained that these requested changes ensure that BPO workers will not be “disenfranchised” with voting on the national polls. This appeal could affect “about 1.2 million employees” all over the country.
Working with former Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña on the petition, the presidential aspirant has already laid out three potential BPO voting centers in Cebu, namely Cebu Business Park, the Cebu Asiatown IT Park, and the Cebu Business Park in Brgy. Kasambagan.
Robredo concluded that “all Filipinos who do the same kind of work that BPO people do will benefit [from the] amendment” and could entitle them to absentee voting privileges.
According to Executive Order No. 157, any person who is not on their place of registration during election day is allowed to vote in the city where they are assigned to. However, it only covers OFWs abroad, uniformed personnel, and government officials who are on election duty.
