AMID the escalating tension in the Middle East, overseas voter registration in the region continues, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Monday that Philippine embassies and consulates, which serve as registration centers in the Middle East, remain open for consular services, including overseas voter registration. At the same time, Garcia advised Filipino workers to stay alert and keep updated on the situation in their areas. "Be vigilant against misinformation/disinformation and trust only reliable sources of information, take heed of the notice and adviser from the Department of Foreign Affairs as well as the Philippine Embassy or Consulate, and contact help lines if in distress," he said. The overseas voters registration is part of the Comelec's preparations for the 2028 presidential election. Registration started last Dec. 1 and will end on Sept. 30, 2027. Garcia said the Comelec is looking forward to signing up more overseas voters. There are only 1.67 million registered overseas voters out of 10 million Filipinos abroad, he said. "With our internet voting, we are looking forward to increasing the number of our overseas Filipino voters by 3 to 4 million," he said. All Filipino citizens abroad, including dual citizens, can register as overseas voters, provided they are not disqualified by law and are at least 18 years old on election day, which is May 8, 2028. The following are qualified to register: – First-time voters based overseas – Registered voters in the Philippines who have moved overseas – Registered voters in the Philippines who will be overseas during the voting period – Registered overseas voters who have changes to their personal details – Overseas voters whose registrations were deactivated, transferred, or with multiple registrations. Local and overseas absentee voters can only vote for candidates running for national positions — president, vice president, 12 senators, and one party-list group.