RP denies preventing media from covering OAV

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Sunday clarified that the media are allowed entry into Philippine diplomatic posts worldwide to observe the conduct of the overseas absentee voting (OAV). This was after Filipino journalists based in the United Arab Emirates questioned why they were not being allowed inside the voting centers in the Gulf state. Filipino Press Club-UAE president Mariecar Jara-Puyod, also a senior reporter for Gulf Today, earlier wrote Ambassador Grace Princesa and Consul General in Dubai Benito Valeriano to ask why reporters are not allowed to go near voting centers, while the other Philippine posts in the Middle East allow coverage of the OAV. “If there were no restrictions imposed in other diplomatic posts, why would those in the UAE be different or treated as another case?" Puyod stated. The DFA, however, reiterated media coverage of the conduct of the OAV in all Philippine posts are allowed. “According to Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution 8764, duly accredited media are allowed maximum access to polling places, voting centers and canvassing centers to observe and report on election-related events and processes," OAV Secretariat chair Rafael Seguis said in a statement posted on the department’s Web site. There are, however, certain restrictions in coverage to protect the sanctity of the ballots, the department added. “Unauthorized individuals are not allowed entry to the voting booths where voters are filling up their ballots. The media are also not allowed to take close-up photos or videos of voters while accomplishing their ballots," the DFA wrote. The OAV started on April 10 in the 92 Embassies and Consulates General across the world. There are 47, 683 Filipino voters in the UAE. —Jerrie Abella/KBK, GMANews.TV