OFW group airs concern if PHL govt. halts the repatriation of OFWs from Syria

Press Release

31 July 2012

OFW group airs concern if PHL govt. halts the repatriation of OFWs from Syria

“Better seek IOM assistance"

Despite pronouncement from the Philippine government that it is intensifying its repatriation efforts of trapped overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Syria after the civil war intensified days ago, an activist Filipino migrants’ right group today expressed concerns if eventually the Philippine government will decide to stop the repatriation of OFWs from the war-torn country.

“We are not discounting the possibility that the PHL government will stop, if not relax, its repatriation efforts in the coming days or months amid the intensity and scale of the Syrian civil war at this time,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona said as the Syrian civil war becoming intense and spreading all over Syria, it is not remote for the PHL govt. through the DFA and its deployed Rapid Response Team (RRT) –composed of officers of the DFA, Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) –to decide relaxing or to even stop its repatriation efforts as the situation becoming ‘unfavorable’.

“Unfavorable situation means limiting the PHL govt. and its RRT options, ways, and mobility to reach out trapped OFWs all over Syria,”Monterona adding:“The threatened Assad govt. may not give a damn to tell his officials to talk to Syrian employers so that exit clearances will be issued to their hired OFWs and eventually allowed to leave from Syria.”

Last week the DFA confirmed that there were close to 2,000 OFWs already repatriated from Syria, while there are 6,000 to 7,000 OFWs left.

“The DFA’s figure is too conservative. Our estimate is that there are 10,000 to 12,000 OFWs still in Syria pleading for evacuation and repatriation,” Monterona added.

Commenting on the relatively small numbers of OFWs repatriated compared to the estimated total numbers of OFWs in Syria, Monterona said it is mainly attributed to the ‘wait and see’ stance of the Aquino govt.

“About three or four months since the Syrian war broke out, govt. evacuation effort is too slow despite pleas from OFWs trapped in Syrian cities where there is heavy fighting. It seems that the Aquino government and its officials did not learn from Libya experience,”Monterona opined.

Monterona noted that his group had been sending, on behalf of the families of distressed and stranded OFWs who sought our assistance, requests forrepatriation of the distressed OFWs in Syria to the Philippine ambassador to Syria. “But it is unfortunate then that we and the families of the distressed OFWs are not even getting any acknowledgement and reply from the Ambassador and his embassy’s “Assistance to the Nationals (ATN)” staff,” Monterona averred.

Monterona , however, suggested that it is not only wise but also more effective if the Aquino govt. will seek the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), an intergovernmental organization promoting ‘humane and orderly’ migration.

IOM was initially established in 1951 as the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM) to help resettle people displaced by World War II.

“The IOM was very active in the repatriation of trapped migrant workers during Libyan upheaval. In fact, if not of the IOM that brought a number of barges and ships, a huge number of OFWs could not safely sneak out of Libya and safely return home. But more than that, it could ask the Assad govt. to let the migrant workers, including our OFWs, freely leave,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile No. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112

PNoy lack of resolve and incompetence emboldens CGMA’s reelection bid –group

Press Release

29 July 2012

PNoy lack of resolve and incompetence emboldens CGMA’s reelection bid –group

What gives former president and now Pampanga congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (CGMA) the gall to run for the May 2013 congressional reelection despite illness and facing numerous charges? For the activist Filipino migrants’ right group it is the current Aquino III government lack of resolve and incompetence that emboldens CGMA’s reelection bid.

“We could well remember Pres. Aquino, during previous public announcements, saying that his administration will go slowly but surely in building strong and solid cases against CGMA, only to be surprised with the recent temporary released of CGMA as ordered by the Pasay Regional trial court for lack of the necessary evidence on the electoral sabotage case filed by the COMELEC and DoJ, thus granting her bail,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

It took more than a year for the Aquino III govt. to file a formal case against CGMA necessitated by the latter’s move to leave the country supposedly for medical treatment abroad. Thus, to bare CGMA from leaving the country, the COMELEC and the DoJ rushed the filing of electoral sabotage case against her.

Monterona also noted the recent rejection of the Sandiganbayan to issue an arrest warrant against CGMA in connection to the PSCO diversion of funds, saying it was “a double-whammy on PNoys anti-corruption campaign”.

“These recent legal set-backs due to PNoy govt. lack of resolve and incompetence certainly bolster CGMA reelection bid knowing now that she could win more legal battles ahead,” Monterona noted.

Monterona also noted that public perception now turns favorable to CGMA’s side.

“The public perception now is that the Aquino III govt. has no resolve and is incompetent in sending CGMA and her cohorts behind bars amid numerous potential lawsuits against CGMA such as electoral sabotage, human rights violations, and graft and corruption, among others,” Monterona averred.

But on the other hand, Monterona added, one could not also discount the possibility of political bargaining taking place between the two camps wherein the PNoy govt. would be lax in prosecuting CGMA in exchange of her support to PNoy’s programs and policies.

“It would be to the best interest of the Aquino III govt. to consolidate its forces even reaching hands to CGMA and her camp just like what it recently did forming an alliance with the Nationalista Party and Nationalist People’s Coalition, to control or neutralize the so called ‘oppositions’,” Monterona noted.

“The Filipino people, the civil society and sectoral groups must be vigilant, must expose and oppose PNoy govt. machinations to disrupt CGMA’s prosecution and imprisonment. Our call remains the same: JAIL CGMA!” Monterona ended. # # #  

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile Nos. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112

90 Saudi OFWs stage rare sit-in, campout protest at PHL labor office

Press Release

28 July 2012

90 Saudi OFWs stage rare sit-in, campout protest at PHL labor office

Some of the 90 distressed OFWs stage sit-in protest at the POLO compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

(For interview: Mr. Absolon Paat, leader and representative of the distressed OFWs, Mobile No. 0966 561145030) 

Citing reports from its Riyadh-based affiliate organization, the Filipino migrants rights group Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) today said about ninety (90) distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) staged a rare sit-in protest inside the Philippine Overseas Labor office (POLO) in Riyadh, Saudi’s capital, to press for the release of their unpaid salaries, end of service benefits, and immediate repatriation.

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona, citing reports from Eric Jocson, chairperson of the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS)-Migrante-Riyadh, said the distressed Filipino workers from Al-Swayeh company started to arrive today (July 28) at the POLO compound around 8:00 o’clock in the morning, Saudi time.

“At around 10a.m. there were already 90 of them inside the POLO compound. Some walking and others sitting as a form of a peaceful demonstration to press the POLO and their employer to release their unpaid salaries, end of service benefits, and their immediate repatriation,” Jocson in his report to M-ME.

On September 2011, Ninety-eight (98) OFWs filed a labor case against their employer Al-Swayeh Company for non-payment of salaries and end of service benefits before the Saudi Labor court as they have already completed their contract and wanted to return to the Philippines.

Aside from Filipino workers, the company also employed two thousand (2,000) workers of different nationalities such as Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Egyptians.

“We’ve known that not all of them were fully paid of their unpaid salaries and end of service benefits. Thus, the group collectively decided to stage a peaceful sit-in protest inside the POLO compound after staging a 1-day hunger strike on July 20,” Monterona added.

Monterona added that what pushes the OFWs to stage a sit-in and campout at the POLO compound is the confirmation that most of the workers from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Egypt were already paid of their entitlements and salaries, and were due for repatriation.

“The protesting OFWs claimed that they were left behind and were not properly represented by POLO officials when negotiating their claims to their employer and the Saudi Labor court,” Monterona added.

Monterona revealed that the Manila-based recruitment agencies of the OFWs called Migrante International-Rights and Welfare Committee informing that they are now ready to provide the airfare tickets of their deployed workers.

“You can’t expect the workers to just go home without receiving their unpaid salaries for months and entitlement such as end of service benefits. They’ve worked hard for it and it’s the product of their hard labor,” Monterona added.

Aside from Al-Swayeh Filipino workers, there are other distressed OFWs in Saudi Arabia in protest against their employer: the 17 OFWs from Al-Naseeb Establishment, 19 OFWs from Al-Sabillah Construction, and other individual repatriation cases handled by Migrante chapters.

“We urge Pres. Aquino III to instruct the labor department to properly attend the problems of the distressed Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia. There are about 140 families of OFWs were affected. It will just take a few seconds to call DoLE Sec. Baldoz and instruct her to attend the Filipino workers' plea," Monterona added.

Monterona added that the families of the distressed OFWs in the Philippines will be sending an Appeal Letter to Pres. Aquino. (Below is the sample appeal letter).

Sample Letter of Appeal

July 24, 2012

H.E. Benigno C. Aquino III

President , Republic of the Philippines

Malacañang Palace,

Office: JP Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila, Philippines

Voice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80

Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968

E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph

I am writing to bring to your attention the situation of 180 overseas Filipino workers who are in hunger strike in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for unfair labor practices and abuses that they suffered from their employers.

On July 20^th, 140 overseas Filipino workers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia began a hunger strike in protest against the abuses they have experienced and the neglect of the Philippine government. The families of these OFWs staged a simultaneous “solidarity fasting” on the 22^nd at the Department of Labor and Employment.

The victims have filed complaints to the Ministry of Labor in Saudi Arabia and the Philippine Embassy, noting the following abuses: illegal recruitment; contract violation; overcharging of placement fees; contract substitution; poor working accommodations; illegal salary deductions; non-issuance of IQMA working permits; non-payment of salaries; and lack of overtime pay. They have attempted to bring charges up against licensed Philippine recruitment agencies that have participated in contract violation and exploitation of OFWs. The agencies listed by the OFWs include: Saveway International Man Power; Osims Oriental Skills International Manpower; RPF Business Management & Consultancy Inc; Irsal Employment Services Inc.; GBMLT Manpower Services Inc.; Nawras Manpower Services Inc.; Al Assal Manpower Inc.; Matawi; and 4 Brothers.

Complaints came from OFWs from several companies in Saudi Arabia, including: 98 OFWs from Al-Swayeh company; 48 cleaners from Al-Zahran company; 17 workers from Al-Naseeb Establishment; 19 OFWs from Al-Sabillah Construction; and other individuals.

Following the complaints made to the Ministry of Labor in Saudi Arabia last year, the aforementioned OFWs requested the assistance of the Philippine Embassy, but their requests went unheard. Several OFWs have also requested exit paperwork and repatriation, but their requests have not been answered.

The protesting OFWs in Saudi Arabia and their families in the Philippines strongly urge you to take the following measures to address their grievances:

·         Attend to the aforementioned complaints of contract violation and abuse.

·         Offer safe repatriation to those OFWs in Saudi Arabia who have made requests.

·         Suspend and sanction the licensed recruitment and placement agencies involved in the abuse and exploitation of OFWs in Saudi Arabia.

It is our hope that you will take immediate action to resolve the grievances made by Overseas Filipino Workers in Saudi Arabia.

Sincerely yours,

References:

Mr. Absolon Paat, leader and representative of the distressed OFWs

Mobile No. 0966 561145030 

Eric Jocson, Chairperson

KGS-Migrante-Riyadh

Mobile No. 00966 566170173

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile Nos. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112

"Reelection bid manifests CGMA’s ‘power-hungry’ mentality"

Press Release

28 July 2012

"Reelection bid manifests CGMA’s ‘power-hungry’ mentality"

Thus, said today by an activist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) group in reaction to the reports that former president and now Pampanga representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (CGMA) is gunning for a second term in the House of Representative in May 2013 midterm elections.

“One would really wonder, if not doubt, that despite illness and several criminal cases filed against her, CGMA has the nerve to run for reelection as representative of Pampanga’s 2^nd district. This manifest ‘power-crazy’ or ‘power-hungry’ mentality of her,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator.

Monterona is quick to add “Well, she is the same person who promised not to seek for reelection but she ran anyway for a second presidential term, an exemption on president’s term limit as prescribed by the Constitution, right after completing the term she inherited from ousted president Joseph Estrada.”

Monterona, however, admitted that CGMA is still allowed by the Constitution to run for reelection as representative of Pampanga. “Everyone knows that she ran and will run again not for genuine public service but primarily for political survival and use her position as shield versus the filed cases against her.”

Aside from CGMA, three other Arroyos are current members of the House of Representatives namely Diosdado ‘Dato’ Arroyo of 1^st district Camarines Sur, Ma. Lourder Arroyo of Ang Kasanga Partylist, and Ang Galing Partylist representative Juan Miguel ‘Mikey’ Arroyo.

Representative Ignacio ‘Iggy’ Arroyo, CGMA’s brother in-law, of the 5^th District of Negros Occidental, died early this year.

“The Arroyos are part of the prominent political dynasties in the country,” Monterona noted.

Monterona said the issue on political dynasty is one of the reform agenda in the political front Pres. Aquino III has never given much attention, if not forgotten at all.

“PNoy is not even supporting the passage of bills in Congress dismantling political dynasties. We don’t know if his administration has any initiative to dismantle or discourage the rise of political dynasties in the country,” Monterona averred.

‘Even Pres. Aquino III is from a prominent political dynasty like the Arroyos. Will he seriously push the dismantling of political dynasties in the country as part of his political reform agenda?” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile Nos. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112

OFW welfare agency recalls erring officials

Press Release

26 July 2012

OFW welfare agency recalls erring officials

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), an adjunct agency to the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) mandated to provide welfare programs and assistance to overseas Filipino workers, confirms that two of its officials posted in Saudi Arabia were instructed to report to its main office immediately, according to OFW rights group Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) providing assistance to distress and abused OFWs.

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said he received a reply via electronic mail from OWWA chief Carmelita Dimzon confirming that labor and welfare officers Mr. Allen ‘Jack’ Arroyo and Mr. Anuar Ampang, both based in Saudi Arabia, were ‘instructed to come home immediately to face’ the agency’s Administrative Complaints Committee (ACC).

On July 18, 2012, M-ME sent an email requesting DoLE and OWWA to probe Mr. Arroyo based on the signed complaint affidavit of OFW Joel Lacanilao alleging that Mr. Arroyo ordered him to pay an amount of 7,000 Saudi rials to facilitate his immediate repatriation that never actually happened.  

Four days after, July 22, M-ME sent another email requesting DoLE and OWWA to probe Riyadh-based OWWA welfare officer Anuar Ampang based on a signed complaint affidavit of OFW Ronald D. Detanoy alleging that the OWWA official is not providing him advise as the latter was only playing on-line Solitaire game on his desk top and he too was badmouthed by the OWWA official.

“Very serious allegation and I would like to assure you of speedy action on it. We shall instruct him (referring to welfare officer Ampang) to come home immediately to face our Administrative Complaints Committee (ACC),” OWWA chief Dimzom in reply to M-ME’s request calling for an investigation.

As to Mr. Arroyo, Dimzon confirmed that “he too has been recalled from his tour of duty.”

“We were informed that both officials will be home by end of this month to face OWWA Administrative complaints Committee. This will give both the opportunity to explain and defend their side amid signed complaints from complainant OFWs and their witnesses,” Monterona added.

“We are expecting that these erring officials will be sanctioned and put under disciplinary action. We will continue our campaign against erring and inept officials abroad. Our OFWs deserve honest-to-goodness, efficient and effective public service given that these officials are receiving their salaries from OFWs trust fund held in trust to OWWA,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile Nos. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112

Released of former president GMA from hospital arrest: “’Double standard’ justice prevailing under Aquino III”

Press Release

26 July 2012

Released of former president GMA from hospital arrest

“’Double standard’ justice prevailing under Aquino III”

Thus, said today by an activist overseas Filipino migrants’ right group in reaction to the released from hospital arrest of former president and incumbent Pampanga representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after the court granted her bail on the ground that the electoral sabotage case filed against her by the Commission on Election (COMELEC) is weak.

“Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, given her status, political clout and wealth, simply escapes imprisonment. She was never imprisoned anyway as she was in hospital arrest for 8 months enjoying privileges not given to an accused of high crimes such as electoral sabotage and plunder, among others” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona added: “It seems so easy for the court to grant Mrs. Arroyo a bail and right after her camp sought her released from being under hospital arrest while there are 300+ political prisoners who were charged of common crimes but were denied bail and still languishing in jails for years even without proper cases filed.”

Monterona, however, added that the court decision to grant bail may be based on the appreciation of evidence presented before it. “The judge has the discretion to grant bail for Mrs. Arroyo. The fault is on the COMELEC and the Aquino govt. which for us didn’t put up a good and solid case against Mrs. Arroyo.”

“Notably, the Aquino government is observed to laidback running after Mrs. Arroyo and her cohorts amid numerous graft and corruption, electoral sabotage and plunder cases hurled against Mrs. Arroyo,” Monterona, adding “Why the Aquino govt. could not build a strong and solid case against the most perceived corrupt, plunderer, murderer former president.”

Monterona opined that the COMELEC and the Aquino govt. should put their act together to appeal the court decision granting Mrs. Arroyo a bail, while it builds a strong and solid case against the former president.

“The Filipino people will certainly hold Pres. Aquino III accountable if Mrs. Arroyo remains scot-free and if allowed to left the country. PNoy has to prove that he can do what he promised,” Monterona averred.

On Mrs. Arroyo if allowed to leave the country, Monterona reacted saying “We are ready to chase Mrs. Arroyo if she goes abroad. We will stage a demonstration wherever she is to tell the world, the international community how grave her sins to the Filipino people, to the OFWs and families.”

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile Nos. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112

OFW group twits Malacanang over ‘Aquino can’t stop Charter change moves’ remark; urges PNoy not ‘to play decoy’ on the issue

Press Release

24 July 2012

OFW group twits Malacanang over ‘Aquino can’t stop Charter change moves’ remark; urges PNoy not ‘to play decoy’ on the issue

An overseas Filipino workers’ (OFW) activist group in the Middle East today chided Malacanang, speaking through its deputy presidential spokesperson Abigal Valte who was quoted in news reports saying that ‘the President can’t stop Charter change moves’ even though the prime movers are the President’s close and top allies in Congress.

“She (referring to deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte) should better ‘tell it to the Marines’ as the saying goes. Nobody would believe what she said that Pres. Aquino can’t stop Charter change moves, the fact that Charter change prime movers are the president’s close allies. In realpolitik, the president has a relative high degree of influence with both chamber’s leaders, Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., or the entire ruling parties in Congress,” said Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona.

In practice, though Valte is explaining it on a theoretical point of view, Monterona added that, in fact, it is the President’s desire to control, if not exert undue influence, to the members of the Congress in both Houses so that the President’s legislative agenda will be passed into laws and thereby effect or execute the policies it deemed necessary to effectively and efficiently govern.

‘With Valte’s remarks, one could think that President Aquino may play decoy at this stage while ‘testing the water’ or what will be the reaction of the public in regards to Charter change issue because in many previous times Charter change moves were not successful due to strong public opposition even during the time of PNoy’s mother, President Cory Aquino,” Monterona added.

The OFW leader added that the Aquino government must be clear and firm on its position about any Charter change moves as the real motive is not out of a genuine desire to effectively and efficiently govern and effect real changes, but rather due to external or outside imposition which the Aquino government had committed itself in the international trade community led by the United States.

Monterona is referring to the desire of the Aquino govt. to join the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreements that adhere and pushing hard the neo-liberal trade policies to allow the US and other imperialist countries to totally penetrate into the Philippine economy with limited, if not no restrictions at all, thus the need to amend the restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

“Removing the so called ‘restrictive’ economic provisions such as the ban on total foreign ownership on lands, and other sectors of the economy, is an imposed requisite by the US Trade department for the Philippines to be part of the TPP agreements,” Monterona explained.

Monterona said the worry is that the Philippine economy once became part of the TPP agreements with the restrictive economic provisions on the Constitution removed, then it will institutional and legalize economic exploitation by imperialist countries like the US that is getting bolder on pursuing its own economic and political interests in the Asia-Pacific region.

“This will cause further economic woes and displacement of the majority of the poor Filipinos who are now forced to work abroad even though there is no protection amid rampant human rights violations and abuses,” he averred.

Monterona noted that the ‘term extension’ fears associated to Charter change moves is only secondary, as an incidental off-shot of the desire of the Aquino govt. to join the TPP. “But knowing the mentality of the many members of the Congress, they might grab the opportunity to include this once the Charter is opened for amendments,” he averred.

“We, OFWs and dependents, strongly urge President Aquino III to not to play decoy on the issue of Charter change. He must be clear and firm on his position versus any Charter change moves,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile Nos. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112

OFW activists group brief reaction on PNoy’s 3rd SONA

Press Statement

23 July 2012

M-ME brief reaction on PNoy’s 3^rd SONA

PNoy's 3rd SONA only mentioned data that do not mean anything about the benefits of the intended beneficiaries, the trickle-down effect of the reforms he said he has done. Meaning, it lacks substance. Even at the labor front no made mention how his government will create jobs but too dependent on BPO. 

He didn’t mention about OFWs, the sector that keeps the economy floating –OFWs protection amid rights and labor violations in the Middle East and the numerous fees and charges imposed against OFWs and dependents.

We are not satisfied of his performance and he still has lots to do in good governance, poverty alleviation, labor generation, culture of impunity, depending our national sovereignty, price increases or high rate of inflation. No clear blue print on these.

Failing grade is what he got from us, OFWs and families.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile Nos. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112

PNoy 3rd SONA: OFW group wants Aquino to tackle and act on people’s issues

Press Statement

22 July 2012

PNoy 3^rd SONA

OFW group wants Aquino to tackle and act on people’s issues

As President Benigno Simeon Aquino III delivers his 3^rd State of the Nation Address (SONA), an activist overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs) group today demanded him to seriously tackle and act on peoples’ various legitimate issues.

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) through its regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said: “We expect the president to deliver the real state of our nation as such he should put forward and clearly states and define its administration’s policies and strategies that would truly deal on various peoples’ issues.”

M-ME added PNoy’s SONA should tell the real state of the nation and not to make it a mere propaganda just like of his previous SONAs to boosts his administration’s partisan claim of economic growth amid worsening economic condition of the majority of the Filipino people.

“The signs of economic hardships are quite revealing. For one is the continued exodus of 4,200 Filipinos daily who are forced to leave their families hoping to find job in foreign lands even without jobs security and protection. The number of unemployed and underemployed Filipinos is on steady figures and the Aquino administration is not generating local jobs with decent pay and benefits,” M-ME added.

M-ME added that the President should do a lot of explaining on his SONA about the US$ 1-B it planned to lend to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) despite that most of the governments basic social services allotted budget have been cut such as health, education, housing, but allowed government institutions such as Philhealth, PAG-IBIG, and Social Security System (SSS) to impose additional fees and charges to OFWs.

“We also question the Aquino administration’s imposition of K+12 education program that is only an added burden to the parents including OFW-parents. K+12 will not solve job mismatch as often cited by the government as one of the reasons for high unemployment and underemployment.”

M-ME would also want to hear from Aquino III to tackle on his SONA the following people’s legitimate issues:

1) Impose moratorium on basic commodities (water, electricity, and oil products) price increases.

2) Certify as urgent the passage of P-125 wage increase bill.

3) Rescind all the one-sided visiting forces agreements with the US and other foreign governments.

4) Push and not to derail the immediate implementation of Supreme Court decision distributing the Hacienda Luisita lands to the farmers and farmworkers.

5) To seriously go back to the negotiating table with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and honour all previous agreements between the two parties in hope of inking a peace agreement.

6) End impunity. Put a halt on political killings and falsely charging social, political, and environmental activists. Stop the so called ‘Oplan Bayanihan’.  

7) Seriously investigate and file graft and corruption cases not only the officials of the previous administration including former president and now representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but as well as those in his own administration especially those so called KKK-members (Kaibigan, Kakalse, Kabarilan)

“The President should not just cherry-pick what he wanted to say in his SONA. People’s legitimate issues should be tackled and he should choose to side the best interests of the Filipino nation, not his imperialist masters,” he ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile Nos. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112

PH welfare officer in Saudi Arabia spotted playing on-line solitaire while on-duty

Press Release

22 July 2012

PH welfare officer in Saudi Arabia spotted playing on-line solitaire while on-duty

‘‘Noynoying’ official must be recalled immediately’ – complainant OFW, group

A welfare officer of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), an adjunct agency to the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) mandated to provide on-site services and welfare programs to distress overseas Filipino workers abroad is on a hot seat after a distressed OFW filed a complaint against him to not properly attending the latter despite several request for assistance.

On a signed affidavit dated July 21, 2012 and sworn before a consular official of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, OFW Ronald D. Detanoy, of legal age, alleged that OWWA welfare officer Anuar Ali Ampang is not properly providing him the necessary advise pertaining to his case.

“Sya ang palaging nagsasabi ano ang gagawin sa kaso ko samantalang ako ang complainant, ako ang nagtatanong kung ano ang dapat gawin. Sa madaling salita, hindi nya din alam ang gagawin (He is always asking me what to do on my case, where in fact I am the complainant always asking him what to do -to guide me and assist me on my case. In other words, he too does not know what to do),” OFW Detanoy stated on the opening of his signed and sworn affidavit.

“At habang nag-uusap kami, naglalaro sya ng Solitaire sa kanyang computer (While we are discussing, he is playing Solitaire on his computer),” OFW Detanoy added.

OFW Detanoy added: “Sa pag-uusap namin, sya po ay nag-aalsa ng boses na galit (During our discussion, he always raised his voice, like his angry).”

OFW Detanoy allegations against OWWA welfare officer Anuar Ampang were corroborated by three (3) witnesses namely OFWs Peter Salvador Esguerra, Joel Marquez, and Christopher Yatar, affirming the veracity of the allegations. (See attached signed and sworn affidavits).

On their part, Migrante-Middle East and the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS), Migrante affiliate in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, said they will be providing assistance to the complainant OFW.

“We will continue to provide assistance to distressed OFW Ronald Detanoy and will guide him and his kin in filing an administrative and criminal case in Manila against OWWA welfare officer Anuar Ampang,” said John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante-Middle East (M-ME).

Monterona added if Pres. Aquino and his labor managers could not even reprimand its erring officials abroad, then with available ways and means such as filing appropriate administrative and criminal case, “let’s teach a lesson to these erring officials like Anuar Ampang that there is right conduct and ethical standards in public service.”

On July 18, 2012, M-ME also received and endorsed the complaint of OFW Joel F. Lacanilao who alleged that Saudi-based Philippine Overseas Labor official Mr. Allen ‘Jack’ Arroyo asked him to give 7,000 Saudi rials aside from the 3,000 SR given by his Manila-based agency to the said official on his promised that the OFW will be repatriated without delay.

“Really, ‘Noynoying’ attitude is quite rampant among public officials posted abroad and it’s like contagious disease,” Monterona referring to the term popularized by Pres. Aquino’s critics after his nickname ‘Noynoy’, that describes government officials bad public conduct and ethics and inaction on people’s problems, concerns and issues.

“We call on PNoy and his labor honchos to clean their ranks from erring and inept officials who are posted abroad. DoLE chief Rosalinda Baldoz should immediately order the recall of its officials Allen ‘Jack’ Arroyo and Anuar Ampang and initiate their dismissal from office,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile Nos. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112