Manitobans watch as boxing icon, son of late dictator vie for Philippine presidency
CBC
From his home in Winnipeg, Nico Bryle Alfafara is watching a presidential race unfold and thinking about how he plans to vote — though the candidates who will end up on the ballot are thousands of kilometres away.
Elections in the Philippines in May 2022 will decide who will replace outgoing and controversial president Rodrigo Duterte.
"I think it's important because of my heritage as a Filipino," said Alfafara. "It's important to also know what's still happening out there in the Philippines because I still have relatives there. I still have families and loved ones there."
People living in Canada who are eligible to vote in the upcoming election have until Oct. 14 to register for overseas voting, according to the The Embassy of the Philippines in Ottawa.
While election day is still months away, some have already announced they're joining the race. That includes Ferdinand (Bongbong) Marcos Jr, the son of the late dictator Ferninand Marcos, and internationally-known boxer Manny Paquiao among others.
And there's still time for others to enter the race, according to Leonora Angeles, an associate professor at the University of British Columbia's School of Community and Regional Planning.
Angeles, a dual citizen of the Philippines and Canada, said she plans to vote.