MIGRANTE gets COMELEC nod for May 2013 partylist elections

Migrante-Middle East statement on COMELEC accrediting MIGRANTE partylist

September 29, 2012

We just received a confirmed report from our Migrante natl office that we got Comelec nod & accredited our Migrante partylist. 

We welcome this positive development which will allow us to run in May 2013 partylist elections. 

Our chapters and supporters worlwide are elated upon hearing the good news and conveyed their support and will campaign hard for us to get a seat in PH Congress.

Our MIGRANTE strives for the best in upholding & defending OFWs rights & welfare. It can't be compromised.

Our electoral struggle means huge task ahead to win a seat. OFWs & families pledges of support must be transformed into VOTES!

In order to win, our MIGRANTE partylist need VOTES, not just 'likes' in FB & 'hits' in other social networking sites.

Our campaign slogan for now: Ofw? MIGRANTE ka! Pamilyang Ofw? MIGRANTE ka!

We need your support for genuine OFW sector representation in PH Congress.

Reference: 

John Leonard Monterona

MIGRANTE partylist vice chairperson

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile no. 00974 33205565

OFWs too are target of Cybercrime Law: Junk the Cybercrime Law!

Press Release

28 September 2012

OFWs too are target of Cybercrime Law

Junk the Cybercrime Law!

Saying that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are also likely target of the folly of the Cybercrime Law, migrants’ right group Migrante-Middle East calls on fellow OFWs around the world to register their strong opposition against the said measure, which was signed by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III last month into a law.

“Noting that many OFWs are fond users of various social networking sites, it is not farfetched that some of them will be unfairly or maliciously charge courtesy of Cybercrime Law,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

He added for instance OFW-activists are using social networking sites as a medium to air their legitimate grievances against the government or any of its agencies and officials.

“OFWs postings in social networking are indeed very critical to the government especially if it pertains to OFWs rights and welfare and relevant issues to the sector,” Monterona citing as an example the proposal of a Manila Congresswoman to increase their OWWA membership premium from US$25 to US$50, which got the ire of the OFWs around the world lambasting and saying harsh words against the proponent.

“Another OFW issue at hand is the 150% Philhealth Premium hike, where our fellow OFWs are actively and vocally criticizing the Aquino govt. and Philhealth board in what we say illegal, unjustified hike on OFWs health premium,” Monterona added.

Monterona added, “May hibo pa ng martial law ang Cybercrime law na eto. Kaya dapat tutulan at hindi na sana pa isina-batas.”

Monterona is urging fellow OFWs not only in the Middle East but also in other continents to strongly register their opposition against the Cybercrime law.

“Let us register our opposition in various and peaceful ways to tell these martial law-admirer legislators that we will defend our constitutional right to freedom of expression. Let us better maximize the social networking sites by calling the junking or scrapping of the Cybercrime law,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile No. 00974 33 20 5565

OFW Group issues advisory amid SARs virus incident in Qatar

OFW Advisory

25 September 2012

Amid report about a Qatari national who was allegedly infected by a new variant of SAR virus after going to Saudi Arabia, which previously recorded similar incident, we advise our fellow OFWs in Qatar and Saudi Arabia and in other parts of the Middle East to take extra care and to stay healthy.

We are certain that both governments, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, respectively, are now taking steps to contain the spread of a new variant of SAR virus. But in case OFWs facing symptoms of SAR virus, we advise them to immediately take medical attention and treatment.

We reiterate our call to the PH government to consider deploying medical attaché in every diplomatic post abroad who will provide medical bulletin, advise, and related medical services to OFWs.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile No. 00974 33 20 5565

Heads must roll over the death of 72-year old OFW -group

Press Release

18 September 2012

Heads must roll over the death of 72-year old OFW -group

(72-yr. old OFW Mateo Amaro before his hospital confinement)

A 72-year old and sick overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Saudi Arabia passed away Tuesday, according to the report received by Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) from its officials based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona, citing report from Migrante-Jeddah chairperson Marlon Gatdula, confirmed that 72-year old OFW Mateo Amaro, from Caloocan City, passed away Tuesday at around 10:00 a.m.

OFW Amaro, with the help of Migrante-Jeddah officers and concerned OFWs, was brought and confined at King Fahad Hospital for several weeks as he is suffering from tuberculosis positive 3 and complications due to diabetes.

OFW Amaro is in Saudi Arabia for twenty (20) long years already. “His being undocumented deprived him to be home, just like the thousands of undocumented OFWs, and reunite with his family.”

On September 6, M-ME issued a statement criticizing a Jeddah-based Philippine labor official and a welfare officer of OWWA as it accused the latter for not attending the repatriation and for failure to provide the needed assistance, medical care included, to OFW Amaro.

Monterona said Migrante officers and members in Jeddah contributed to provide air ticket for OFW Amaro.

“Though we already paid and secured an air ticket for OFW Amaro, still he could not be repatriated pending the issuance of exit clearance from his sponsor-employer,” Monterona averred.

He added that Migrante officers in Jeddah kept on on following OFW Amaro’s repatriation when he is not critical then to PH labor attaché Vicente Cabe and a certain Qassim, OWWA welfare officer in Jeddah, but both simply ignore and just don’t care.

“If only our Migrante officers in Jeddah are in a position and authority to talk and negotiate with OFW Amaro’s employer for the issuance of his exit clearance, then they’re more than willing to do so,” Monterona averred.

On his part, Migrante-Jeddah chairperson Gatdula said, “If only PH labor and welfare officials properly attended the sick OFW Amaro and work for his immediate repatriation, then he should have been reunited with his family alive.”

M-ME and Migrante-Jeddah are asking the heads of Labor Attache Vicente Cabe and OWWA welfare officer Qassim as both are criminally negligent in OFW Amaro’s case.

“The heads of these two PH officials in Jeddah must roll! Both (referring to Cabe and Qassim) don’t deserve to be on their respective position any longer,” Monterona asserted.

Monterona noted that PNoy has been in office for more than 2 years and yet cleaning the diplomatic posts of bad eggs (referring to inept embassy, labor, and welfare officials) is still wanting.

“We note that under PNoy administration, no substantial difference from previous administrations, there’s the continued neglect and sheer incapacity of the PH government to look into the cases of thousands upon thousands of OFWs knocking on the doors of its agencies, consulates and embassies for safe haven, interventions, legal remedies, and repatriation,” Monterona concluded.

Meanwhile, the group said they will inform the family of OFW Amaro of his death through Migrante International staff in Manila and would press the PH Consulate to attend his remains immediate repatriation.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

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

No legal aid yet for OFW charged of 1-M rials embezzlement

Press Release

17 September 2012

No legal aid yet for OFW charged of 1-M rials embezzlement

Migrante 'Legal Aid' campaign file photo

Despite completion of his jail term, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Saudi Arabia is still hoping that he will be provided a local lawyer who will defend himself in court pending the resolution of the private aspect of the 1-M rials embezzlement case filed against him by his employer, according to migrants’ rights group Migrante-Middle East (M-ME).

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said the OFW who was given an alias ‘Cholo’ (his real name withheld) worked as a Salesman for a ready-mix concrete company in Dammam, Saudi Arabia for sixteen years.

On 10 November 2009, OFW Cholo was invited to their company’s main office and was allegedly forced to sign a document in Arabic, which state that he embezzled 1-M rials sales of spare parts of ready-mix concrete equipment.

Per report from the PH embassy in Riyadh, OFW Cholo ‘signified in court that he was forced to sign the said document’, which in the first place he does not know what it’s all about.

After which an embezzlement case was filed against him. His employer is demanding 1-M rials then.

On 1 November 2010, after scheduled hearings, a Saudi court sentenced OFW Cholo to 1 year and 6 months imprisonment and 250 lashes as to the public rights aspect of the case; while his employer demanded 1-M rials, which later raise to 5-M rials, covering the private rights aspect of the case.

“What is appalling on his case is that OFW Cholo was not provided a local lawyer who should represent and defend him in court during hearings. He already completed his jail term covering the public rights aspect,” Monterona lamented.

Monterona said, ‘When we say legal assistance, this is not about jail visitation and attendance of PH embassy officials in case hearings. This is providing a lawyer who could defend an accused OFW in court during hearings.’

Monterona added they came to know that it was on August 2012 that the PH embassy in Riyadh recommended the hiring of a lawyer to assist OFW Cholo in court as the indemnification rose up to 5-M rials from the original 1-M rials.

“We certainly believed that he was a victim of a trumped-up charge noting that he had filed a resignation letter prior to the filing of a case against him and he expected to get his end of service benefits (ESB) after working for 16 years,” Monterona added.

Monterona added he had already conveyed to Department of Foreign Affairs undersecretary Rafael Seguis to look into this case and requested the latter to act on hiring a local lawyer for OFW Cholo.

“As we all knew there is no undersecretary yet for Migrant Workers Affairs of the DFA, thus we coursed through our request to Usec. Seguis who was always been cooperative to us especially cases of distress OFWs and those in jail,” Monterona adding that he had already received a word from Usec. Seguis about OFW Cholo case and the pending request for legal assistance by providing a local-hired lawyer for the subject OFW.

Monterona also cited the case of brothers Edizon and Rolando Gonzales, both convicted for killing fellow OFWs on April 2006 and in Saudi death row, whose case were left unattended despite compliance on the ‘blood money’ requirement and forgiveness by the aggrieved families of their victims.

“OFW Cholo and the Gonzales brothers’ cases, just like the numerous cases of jailed OFWs, once again highlighted the need to improve legal assistance program of the PH government. The DFA’s office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) must be re-organized into a service-oriented, efficient and effective migrant-serving government body,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

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

Civil Society organization with 193 chapters worldwide recognizes OFW group, leader in serving distress OFWs

Civil Society organization with 193 chapters worldwide recognizes OFW group, leader in strengthening to protect the interest and welfare of Filipino workers in the Middle East.

Per attached documents.

Filipino workers in the Middle East advised to take extra care

Press Release

15 September 2012

Filipino workers in the Middle East advised to take extra care

Amid escalating protests by Muslims in the Middle East against the movie ‘Innocence of Muslims’, an overseas Filipino migrants group today urges fellow OFWs in Yemen, Libya, and Egypt to stay clear of protesting crowds.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said in view of the escalating protests in Libya, Egypt and lately in Sana’a, Yemen’s capital, at various US diplomatic posts in the Middle East, it is necessary for all OFWs working in those countries to take necessary precautions and advise to limit unnecessary movements within these countries.

“To emphasize the need to be safe and to secure ourselves from harm and violent acts, we strongly urge our fellow OFWs to stay clear of protesting crowds especially near the diplomatic posts of the US and similar establishments as targets of massive protests,” Monterona added.

Monterona added that based on their initial assessment, the Muslim protests may snowball to other middle eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE where there are large concentrations of OFWs.

“Once again, we strongly advised our fellow Filipinos in the Middle East to be respectful of the host government state religion and their symbols,” Monterona adding that Filipinos abroad must refrain from maligning any religion and their prophets as what the movie ‘Innocence of Muslims’ had disrespectfully conveyed.

Monterona admitted that he does not yet viewed in full the movie ‘Innocence of Muslims’, he, however, said, “Our Muslim brothers won’t rise up in arms for nothing. Certainly, the movie ‘Innocence of Muslim’ had done wrong or maliciously conveyed that is something protesting or even revolting courtesy of some war-monger US propagandists.”

Meanwhile, Monterona announced that their group “Sagip Migrante” evacuation and assistance program is reactivated to serve and provide aid to OFWs who will be needing assistance amid the escalating Muslim protests in the Middle East.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

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

Group echoes calls to disclose qualified party-list groups

Press Release

14 September 2012

Group echoes calls to disclose qualified party-list groups

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME), a migrants’ rights group, today echoed the call of a Catholic Church-based poll watchdog addressed to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to reveal the qualified party-list groups that will be gunning for the midterm 2013 elections.

On 7 September 2012, CBCP News online quoted (http://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=3417) Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) chairperson Henrietta De Villa called on the COMELEC to reveal the party-list groups and its nominees for the May 2013 elections noting that the poll body has ‘still a lot of things to do to ensure credible and orderly elections in May 2013’.

“It’s been a long time and until now the result has not yet been announced and to think the filing of candidacies will already be on October 1 to 5,” de Villa added.

On their part, M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said the call by the PPCRV on the COMELEC to reveal the qualified party-list group is reasonable and it does make sense as the May 2013 elections come nearer.

“It seems that the COMELEC missed to follow its own calendar of activities relative to the accreditation of party-list groups considering the relatively numerous groups that applied for accreditation,” Monterona said.

Monterona, however, recognizes the need for the COMELEC to be cautious in the accreditation of groups especially that there are bogus groups that were previously accredited, which in fact did not genuinely represent a marginalized sector as stipulated in the Party-list System Act.

“But groups that genuinely represent marginalized sectors and have established track record in serving the sector they represent should not be deprived to participate in the upcoming elections and their chances to conduct electoral campaign will not be affected,” Monterona noted.

He cited for instance the accreditation of Migrante Sectoral Party to be known as MIGRANTE, the electoral group of progressive OFWs organizations and their families, which is also pending at the COMELEC.

Prior to May 2010 elections, the COMELEC delisted Migrante Sectoral Party for failure to garner a seat for two consecutive party-lists elections (2004 and 2007) though Migrante opted not to participate on 2007 party-list elections to devote its time and efforts in consolidating its chapters abroad and in the Philippines.

“We are looking forward, though we are sure that we fulfilled the Party-list system Act requirements, that the COMELEC will give a nod on our application for accreditation so that we could participate in the May 2013 party-list elections and eventually render genuine OFWs representation in the Philippine Congress,” Monterona adding that their group has always been in the service of OFWs and their dependents, with or without elections.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

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

Group says PNoy’s explanation on Puno not being probed implausible

Press Release

10 September 2012

'Probe him'

Group says PNoy’s explanation on Puno not being probed implausible

“We are not convinced, just like other groups, of Pres. Aquino III explanation that Department of Interior and Local Government undersecretary Rico Puno is not being probed on the alleged overpriced PNP arms deal. Bakit hindi sya kasama sa mga ini-imbestigahan?”asked by a migrants’ rights group, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME).

M-ME added that PNoy just gave an implausible excuse in defending again for the nth time his friend and shooting-buddy Usec. Puno. Puno was appointed by PNoy to head the PNP, instead of the DILG secretary, which decision attracted public criticism.

“It was good that PNoy ordered a review of the procurement process upon the discovery of a huge discrepancy on the price of M4 rifles, but saying that there were no specific personalities being probed is highly questionable,” M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said.

He added that procurement process and undertakings certainly involved personalities or officials of a certain govt. agency, in this case the PNP and DILG officials.

“Ibig bang sabihin ng Pangulo na kapag napatunayan na may anomaly nga, walang mananagot at isisi na lamang sa maling procurement process?” asked Monterona.

‘If found that there was indeed an anomaly, then dapat may mananagot o maparusahan. There may be no error on the procurement process per se; ginulo lang eto ng ilang mga corrupt officials para pagkakitaan,” Monterona averred.

“We are urging PNoy to be transparent and to stop protecting his friend and shooting-buddy Rico Puno. His decision to fire the latter as undersecretary of the DILG was appropriate, but don’t just let him transferred to another government post,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

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

Migrant group welcomes Saudi Royal clemency for 7 OFWs: ‘About 50 still detained beyond jail term’

Press Release

9 September 2012

Migrant group welcomes Saudi Royal clemency for 7 OFWs: ‘About 50 still detained beyond jail term’

Migrante 'Legal assistance' campaign for jailed OFWs, file photo

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME), a migrants’ rights group providing assistance to distress and jailed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), today welcomed the granting of Royal clemency by the Saudi King to seven (7) OFWs incarcerated in different Saudi jails for various offenses.

On Friday, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Manila issued a statement confirming that the Saudi govt. granted clemency to 7 OFWs adding, ‘the move confirms the importance of strengthening the friendship between the Kingdom and the Philippines’.

Charge d’ Affaires Abdulelah A.A. Aljebreen of Saudi’s Royal Embassy in Manila said, “This clemency distinguishes the Kingdom from the rest of the world as it preserves the family entity and social relationships and makes those it covers feel the tolerance of Islam,” adding that Ramadan is a season of good will, pardon and mercy and it’s coming causes the lifting of the penalty imposed resulting from the offense committed.

Usually, the Saudi govt. grants pardon right after the observance of Ramadan to convicted petty crime offenders including migrant workers.

Reacting to this, M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said their group welcomed the granting of clemency to the 7 OFWs by the Saudi govt.

“As we continue to provide assistance to jailed OFWs especially those victims of trumped up charges in Saudi Arabia and in other mid-east countries, we would like to convey our appreciation to the Saudi govt. and His highness King Abdullah in granting clemency to our fellow OFWs. We look forward for their immediate release and repatriation so that the 7 OFWs reunite with their families who are long awaiting them to be home,” Monterona said.

Monterona, however, noted that this time the number of OFWs granted clemency by the Saudi govt. is the smallest number compared to previous clemency granted by the host govt. ‘This is so far the smallest number of OFWs granted clemency by the Saudi govt. Last year there were more than 20 OFWs pardoned and more during previous years.’

“We are hoping that more jailed OFWs who will be pardoned this year considering there are now around 600 to 800 male and female OFWs languishing in different Saudi jails for various offenses,” Monterona averred.

Monterona added per M-ME monitoring as of November 2011, there were 120 OFW inmates in Malaz jail in Riyadh and 40 of them claimed they’ve already served and completed their respective jail term, have completed their clearances and awaiting release and deportation.

‘Presently, in our close estimate there are around 30 to 50 OFWs still languishing in different Saudi jails despite completion of their respective jail terms,’ Monterona claimed.

“We are also receiving reports that there are undisclosed numbers of women OFWs locked up in Al-Nisa jail, also in Riyadh, for various offenses. I have asked the PH embassy regarding this. Embassy officials confirmed the report, they however refused to divulge additional information,” Monterona added.

Monterona calls on the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to look into the cases of overstaying OFW inmates especially women OFW inmates in Saudi Arabia and properly instruct the PH post to attend on their release and immediate deportation.

“If Nepal, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Indian mission officials were able to promptly follow the cases of their jailed nationals and sent them home after completion of their jail terms without delay, why the PH govt. could not do the same?” Monterona asked.

Saudi Arabia consistently topped as the No.1 OFWs destinations for the last 15 years with an estimated 1.2-M OFWs working in the entire Kingdom.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

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

PH officials in Saudi Arabia slammed for lazily attending a sick 72-year old OFW

Press Release

6 September 2012

PH officials in Saudi Arabia slammed for lazily attending a sick 72-year old OFW

‘Replace labor and welfare officials abroad not ready to serve OFWs 24/7’

(Photo of OFW Mateo Amaro, 72-year old sick and undocumented OFW in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. photo courtesy of Migrante-Jeddah)

A migrants’ rights group in the Middle East today slammed Philippine labor and welfare officials as it accuses the later for delaying the repatriation and for not providing assistance to a sick 72-year old overseas Filipino worker (OFW).

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona, citing reports from Migrante officers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, identified the 72-year old OFW as Mr. Mateo Amaro, from Caloocan City.

“OFW Amaro is suffering from diabetes and tuberculosis, and no doubt his health is deteriorating as shown on his latest photo sent to us by our colleagues in Jeddah,” Monterona added.

Monterona added that OFW Amaro is in Saudi Arabia for twenty (20) long years already. “His being undocumented deprived him to be home, just like the thousands of undocumented OFWs, and reunite with his family.”

Monterona said Migrante officers and members in Jeddah contributed to provide an air ticket for OFW Amaro.

“Though we already paid and secured an air ticket for OFW Amaro, still he could not be repatriated pending the issuance of exit clearance from his sponsor-employer,” Monterona averred.

He added that Migrante officers in Jeddah keep on following his repatriation to PH labor attaché Vicente Cabe and a certain Qassim, OWWA welfare officer in Jeddah, but both simply ignore and don’t care.

“If only our Migrante officers in Jeddah are in a position and authority to talk and negotiate with OFW Amaro’s employer for the issuance of his exit clearance, then they’re more than willing to do so,” Monterona averred.

Monterona noted that just recently Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) secretary Rosalinda Baldoz issued a tall order to his new breed of labor officials abroad to be ready to serve OFWs 24/7.

“We call on DoLE Sec. Baldoz and OWWA Admin Dimzon to recall and replace DoLE Labor Attache Vicente Cabe and OWWA Welfare Officer Qassim, as both were negligent on their respective duties and have been a subject of numerous complaints from distress OFWs,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

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

Group welcomes Syria waiver on stranded OFWs exit visa clearances

Press Release

6 September 2012

Group welcomes Syria waiver on stranded OFWs exit visa clearances

‘Evacuation of 2,000+ trapped OFWs in safer place, most difficult task’

Migrante 'Evacuation and Repatriation' of Syria OFWs campaign, file photo

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME), a migrants’ rights group with chapters in most of middle-eastern countries with large concentration of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), today said it welcomed the move by the Syrian government waiving the required exit visa or clearance for 225 OFWs who are temporarily seeking refuge at the Philippine Embassy building in Damascus, Syria.

On Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that Sec. Albert Del Rosario was able to negotiate the issuance of a waiver of the exit visa clearances for the 225 OFWs by the Syrian government.

“While we welcome the Syria waiver on exit visa clearances so that the 225 stranded OFWs could be repatriated, the DFA honchos should have done this last year,” said M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona, reacting to this news report.

Monterona noted that the public and various OFW groups have been demanding the DFA to better assess the then deteriorating peace and order situation in Syria so that an appropriate evacuation and repatriation plan have  promptly been implemented by the PH post and the DFA in Syria without waiting the situation to deteriorate.

Monterona added that ‘better late than never’ is not even appropriate to describe the success of the PH government in dealing with the Assad government as the lives and safety of the stranded OFWs have been so compromised.

“With the Syria govt. waiving the exit visa clearances, the kin in the Philippines expect their stranded OFWs immediate repatriation,” Monterona added.

Monterona added aside from repatriation efforts by the PH govt., there are a considerable numbers of OFWs still trapped in Syria.

“To our conservative estimates, there are still around 2,000 OFWs trapped all over Syria, awaiting to be rescued and evacuated, aside from those 225 OFWs housed at the PH embassy in Damascus,” Monterona added.

He added, “It’s not yet mission accomplished. Evacuation efforts to secure our fellow OFWs in safe refuges are still wanting, and it’s the most difficult task.”

“The PH govt. through the DFA must continue to explore with the Syria govt. how the remaining trapped OFWs all over Syria could be rescued and evacuated to safer places and eventually be repatriated,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

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

‘Let’s hit the 1-M target’: Group urges members, OFWs and networks to intensify last-ditch OAV registration efforts

Press Release

2 September 2012

‘Let’s hit the 1-M target’

Group urges members, OFWs and networks to intensify last-ditch OAV registration efforts

Migrante OAV  registration campaign poster

As the on-going overseas Absentee voters (OAV) registration will be ending by end of October 2012, barely a month from now, a Filipino migrant’ rights group in the Middle East urges anew its members and networks to intensify its OAV information dissemination campaign so that at least it could reach a total of 1-M absentee voters among Filipinos abroad.

“We have asked anew our chapters and networks abroad especially in countries where there are large concentrations of Filipinos to launch our sort of last-ditch effort OAV information dissemination campaign,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator.

Monterona said aside from massive dissemination of information about the on-going OAV and urging Filipinos abroad to register as absentee voters by using the internet and social networking sites as medium, their group would use the traditional way of reaching the most numbers of OFWs.

“We, Migrante officers, members, and OFW networks, from now up to end of OAV registration period, will to go to OFWs tambayans and OFWs accommodations to urge our fellow OFWs to register and explain to them the importance of exercising one’s right of suffrage,”Monterona added.

Monterona explained given the huge numbers of Filipinos abroad, including OFWs and immigrants, estimated to reached about twelve to 15-M, ‘we still believe that Filipinos abroad as absentee voters could be a potent swing vote that could win a nationally elected position such as President, Vice-president, and Senators.’

“We are also expecting that come May 2013 elections, a genuine representation of OFWs in Philippine Congress via party-list system of elections will come true hoping that the OAV turnouts will be huge,” Monterona averred.

On Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs-Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (DFA-OAVS) in a statement said, ‘as of 31 August 2012, the total number of new registrants in the ongoing overseas absentee voting (OAV) registration exercise has already surpassed the figures in the 2010 National Elections, at 249,391 new OAV registrants.

Adding the new OAV registrants to those who have listed up during 2010 elections will reach to a total of 839,221 OAV registrants.

“Barely less than 200,000 more to reach the original COMELEC-DFA-OAVS target of 1-M overseas absentee voters and we still have a month of registration,” Monterona noted.

Monterona added that with OFWs and their organizations, all together disseminating information and urging fellow OFWs to register, then reaching the 1-M OAV target is not farfetched.

“Our OAV information dissemination efforts will continue until end of OAV registration period, but will shift our efforts on educating our fellow OFWs on their right to vote. Voters’ education is needed to have a mature and wise electorate who will be voting qualified and capable candidates during periodic elections,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

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