The 238,000 Filipinos based overseas who were delisted by Commission on Elections (Comelec) can again exercise their right to vote in the upcoming elections this May. The government agency reinstated their voting rights thru a resolution that was signed after a migrants group explained their side to Comelec Commissioner Grace Padaca and Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes.

The overseas voters were earlier delisted for their failure to participate in the last two elections. They also failed to manifest their intention to vote for May 2013 elections after the deadline set by Comelec last year.

The migrants group that seeks the dialogue with Comelec officials is the Global Filipino Diaspora Council (GFDC) headed by Filipino-American, Rodel Rodis. The GFDC leader considers the reinstatement of the voting rights of thousands of overseas Filipinos a major victory.

In the resolution signed by Comelec, delisted overseas voters will be able to vote in May just by appearing on their designated voting schedules.

Chairman Brillantes said, "They can activate it by coming out and voting when they go to vote that's the manifestation, the mere act of appearing."

Brillantes added that this new rule is fairer to the voters because appearing in their specific voting areas would already be a clear manifestation of their intention to vote.

Rodis also proposed a system where overseas Filipinos can vote online, saying that it will gurantee higher voter turnout.

He said, "We are still lobbying for internet voting. We have to think of ways to make it easier for people to register to vote."

Brilliantes is also open to the idea of internet voting to encourage more voters’ participation. However, the Comelec chairman points out that it would require an amendment of the law.