23 August 2019 – The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) celebrated its 79th anniversary by hosting a Stakeholders Appreciation Night on 22 August 2019, at Manila Hotel.

The celebration was led by Chairman Sheriff M. Abas. In attendance were representatives of stakeholders that collaborated with COMELEC in the 2019 National and Local Elections.

In thanking the DFA, Chairman Abas stated that the Department “largely contributed in ensuring that even our overseas workers are given the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.” He further stated that “aminado kami na malaki ang kontribusyon ng overseas voting para masiguro na maayos ang patakbo ng ating halalan. The DFA, through the different embassies, have been vigilant in reporting to the COMELEC, whatever bugs or problems that they initially encounter in the early stages of the overseas voting. This helps us prevent these problems from being encountered in the actual day of the regular elections.”

During the opening remarks, Chairman Abas thanked all the stakeholders, both from the public and private sectors, and acknowledged their contributions in achieving an honest, orderly, transparent, and credible elections, stating that through the combined efforts of COMELEC and its stakeholders, “the Filipino people continue to have high trust to our electoral process.”
The event ended with COMELEC handing out plaques of recognition to its partners. Apart from the DFA, among others given a plaque of recognition were the Department of Education, Department of Information and Communication Technology, Philippine National Police, and National Printing Office.