On a typical afternoon, talk among elderly Filipino-Australians typically turns to Philippine elections.

With so much time in their hands, it is no surprise they are well informed. Each day, many hours are spent watching the news on The Filipino Channel, surfing the Internet, and listening to the radio.

Everyone has an opinion about who should run for president.

“Ako, ang talagang kursunada ko si Erap (former president Joseph Estrada). ‘Yan ang totoo diyan. Dahil si Erap una, matulungin sa kapwa,” said Lorenzo Yumul.

“Kay Bayani Fernando ho ako, una, dahil kababayan ko siya, pero alam mong disciplinarian ‘yan at sa aking pagkakaalam, malinis na pulitiko si Bayani, wala akong dapat isumbat sa kanya,” noted Domingo Santiago.

Eddie Merciades, meantime, goes for Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. “Si Mar Roxas kahit magsalita mukhang intelihente, mahinahon, at saka bagay na bagay sila ni Korina (Sanchez).”

While according to Jaime Tibay, “Si (Chiz) Escudero medyo bata pa ‘yon eh, medyo okay pa ang magiging dating.”

Voter registration

But it is one thing to have an opinion. Translating that to a vote is another story.

In this group, only Yumul is a registered voter. The rest are Australian citizens who said they will re-acquire their Filipino citizenship and register only if their favored politician becomes a candidate.

“Kung saka-sakali at siya’y magkakandidato, ako’y mag-du-dual citizen para bumoto sa kaniya” said Santiago, the supporter of Fernando.

“Mag-du-dual citizen ako para lang sa kaniya, para maiboto ko si Korina. Ay si Roxas pala,” added Merciades.

But by then, it will be too late. Registration for overseas absentee voting ends in August. The official list of candidates will not be known until November.

Philippine Consul General Eva Betita encouraged Filipinos to apply for dual citizenship and register to vote without further delay.

“I tell them right away it’s all to gain and nothing to lose… of course this is a very important exercise for them to have a say in the future of our country our leaders, the presidents, senators, party list representatives,” said Betita.

Voter turn out in Australia has been dismal in previous years. Only 50 percent cast their ballots in 2004 and 47 percent in 2007.

But if lively discussions like these are any indication, there is certainly hope for a higher turnout in 2010.