May Gladys Butoy is IFES Philippines Project Officer for projects that deal primarily with vulnerable sectors (i.e. persons with disabilities, elderly, first time voters, indigenous people, internally displaced persons and detainees) and ensuring that their right to suffrage is realized. May has assisted in planning and managing development projects related to persons with disabilities for more than 9 years, working with both local and international organizations. During this period, she also helped develop and implement research and training programs for persons with disabilities, local government units and parents of children with disabilities on human rights, project management and organizational development. May has worked with OneVoice, Inc., Legal Network for Truthful Elections, VforCE and LIBERTAS on various projects advocating for social, political and electoral reforms. She served with the United Nations Economic and Social Council for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand as a Disability Programme Consultant right before joining IFES Philippines. May traces her roots to the indigenous peoples of Benguet (Ibaloi) and Apayao (Isneg) and is committed to equal opportunities and participation for all. She holds a bachelor s degree in Development Studies from Ateneo de Manila University and is currently finishing her Master s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of the Philippines