Filipino Americans urged to actively take part in US elections to be seen and heard
By Marivir Montebon
New York - At the debut forum on 'You deserve to know your voter's rights' of Filipino nonprofits here, Rachelle Peraz, chairperson of National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NAFFAA NY), expressed concern about the low voter turn-out of Filipinos in elections.
Rachelle Peraz, chairperson of NAFFAA New York
FALDEF executive director and immigration lawyer Licelle Cobrador
“Only 10% of registered Filipino Americans go out to vote during elections. That means we still don’t have a voice or representation unlike our Asian counterparts,” said Peraz during the voter’s forum on October 12, 2024 at Bee Café in Woodside.
The forum was organized by the Filipino American Legal Defense Fund (FALDEF), Coalition for Asian Children and Families (CACF), Women’s Immigration and Communications Café (WICCAFE), and NAFFAA. It was the first of a series of education forums slated until March 2025 on human rights and immigration and labor issues affecting US residents.
Government statistics show that there are approximately 4.4 million Filipinos in the US today, constituting the third largest Asian demographic, trailing the Chinese (now second largest) and Indians (the largest).
Filipino leaders in the East Coast (l-r): Atty. JT Mallonga, former Bergenfield Mayor and FALDEF founder Robert Rivas, and Philippine Amba. Mario de Leon Jr.
With only 10% of registered Filipino Americans going to the polls, it means that they remain largely invisible and voiceless in American political life, leaders of the nonprofit organizations sadly admit.
“We should not also just be focused on national elections. We also need to know our local candidates and judges and the legislative changes we want to adapt,” said Peraz.
Immigration lawyer Licelle Cobrador noted the need for constant education and engagement at the local level. “Filipinos need to understand how crucial their participation is in local and national elections,” said Cobrador who is the executive director of FALDEF.
Asians and Pacific Islanders (API) is the fastest growing elections demographic in the US whose votes matter for any political victory, according to the Pew Research Center.
Early voting begins on October 26, 2024, in designated polling centers while national and local election is on November 5. #
