Riyadh Group Seeks Support for OFW Eyeing Senate Seat
Arab News

RIYADH, 27 February 2007 — A community organization in Riyadh yesterday urged overseas Filipinos who are eligible to vote in the forthcoming Philippine senatorial election to include a fellow expatriate in their “Magic 12” list.

The Kalipunang Kaakabay ng Manggagawang Pilipino sa Ibayong Dagat, or Kakampi, endorsed the candidacy of Theodore Aquino, “Ka Ted” to his friends in the Filipino global community, saying he has “heart for OFWs.”

“Please call, write, text, persuade, convince your parents, brothers, sisters, in-laws, cousins, relatives and friends to support us OFWs in our long quest for electoral equality, our right to vote and to be voted upon for public office,” said Kakampi political affairs committee chair Bong Amora in an e-mail.

Aquino, a civil engineer based in San Francisco, California, is currently the president of the U.P. Alumni Association in America.

Kuya Ted had been disqualified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last week for not meeting the residency requirement but Amora disputed the ruling. “Kuya Ted is a Filipino citizen and a resident of the Philippines. He was born to a Filipino father and a Filipino mother,” he said in his e-mail, adding that “Kuya Ted never renounced his Filipino citizenship…”
The Comelec has also ruled that votes cast for senatorial candidates under the name “Aquino” will be credited to Tarlac Rep. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Noynoy, son of the late former Sen. Ninoy Aquino and former President Corazon C. Aquino, has asked the Comelec to declare Kuya Ted as a nuisance candidate.

Kuya Ted, who had been acknowledged to be a successful engineer in San Francisco where he has been residing for about 40 years, is a nephew of Ninoy Aquino.

He said he was running on a platform to reverse the brain drain, and that he claims to represent the interests of Filipinos overseas.

But Noynoy Aquino, in his petition, cited news reports quoting Kuya Ted as saying he just wanted to run for the Senate to test the effectivity of the Dual Citizenship Law.

Noynoy’s petition also noted that Kuya Ted was not endorsed by any political party and does not have the capacity to conduct an electoral campaign.

Despite the disqualification, Kakampi leaders said Kuya Ted deserves the support of OFWs.
Leo Menez, chair of the Kakampi-KSA information committee, sought support for lesser known candidates running under the Ang Kapatiran Party.

One of these is lawyer Zosimo Paredes, who was fired as undersecretary of foreign affairs for standing up to Malacaٌang in the custody case of a US Marine soldier convicted of raping a Filipino woman.

Also running with Paredes are Dr. Martin Bautista and lawyer Adrian Sison.

“It is about time that new faces in Philippine politics should emerge and this could only be realized if we really have the will to choose the right one,” said the Kakampi press statement.

*****
Dual Nationality

What It Is
The Supreme Court of the United States has stated that dual nationality is a “status long recognized in the law” and that “a person may have and exercise rights of nationality in two countries and be subject to the responsibilities of both. The mere fact that he asserts the rights of one citizenship does not without more mean that he renounces the other”, Kawakita v. U.S., 343 U.S. 717 (1952).

How Acquired
Dual nationality results from the fact that there is no uniform rule of international law relating to the acquisition of nationality. Each country has its own laws on the subject, and its nationality is conferred upon individuals on the basis of its own independent domestic policy. Individuals may have dual nationality not by choice but by automatic operation of these different and sometimes conflicting laws.

May 2007 Election

Campaign had just started and May 2007 midterm election is fast approaching.

 

According to my friend blogger David Llorito the electorate should focus on the integrity, honesty and competence in choosing the right candidate and not the issues. Please read his latest entry “Could the Philippines ever have an “issue-oriented” politics?“ 

 

I’ve been posting late of last year entries related to Philippine election and politics. If  you haven’t read it, the following were my previous post: Democracy and our votes, Philippine Partisan Politics and Make the right choice. 

Help bring Justice

Filipinos working overseas are commonly described as trustworthy, reliable, dedicated and hardworking.  In Middle East particularly Saudi Arabia we are considered as model expatriates compared to other nationalities. It is not only because of that acquired Filipino values we have, but in general we are friendly and respectful. However, a friend of mine commented that “pag apakan mo ang Pinoy hindi ka uurungan”, it means we need respect from others with the same respect we extended to them.

Isang Bala Ka Lang

Yet, in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries we cannot expect others to respect us the way we expect it to be.  In this country we are visitors of a foreign land where customs, religion and traditions are very different from ours. At pag galit ka “Wala dito ang tinatawag na isang bala ka lang” sa Pilipinas lang yon. Here in this country we need to be humble with ourselves and be careful of what we say or do.

But it doesn’t mean that we should not defend our rights if unexpected worst things had happened.

We are calling the attention of our beloved Excellency Ambassador Antonio Villamor to investigate the alleged mauling incident of an overseas Filipino worker who was “allegedly mauled by an undetermined number of Arabs” earlier this month. He was found unconscious with a cracked skulls and remain in coma at the hospital as of this writing.

I personally appeal to DFA Undersecretary Rafael Seguis and the good Ambassador Villamor to look and investigate this case accordingly and bring justice to our fellow OFW in Riyadh.

We are waiting for the official Police report of this incident and we’ve been following this case till justice may serve to the victim. - BongA

A Valentine Love Story

A Valentine Love Story for OFWs in Saudi!

Happy Valentine’s to all!

They’d known  each other since their school days and had since become The best of  friends. They shared everything and anything and spent lots of time together in  and after school. But the friendship never developed into anything  deeper. Diane kept a  secret: her admiration and love for Jack. She had  her reasons for keeping it  a secret. FEAR. Fear of rejection… fear that he might not feel the  same… fear that he might not want to be her best friend anymore…  fear of losing someone that she could always find comfort in. At least if she  kept her feelings to herself she would still be able to spend time with  him… and hopefully, he would be the one to tell her how he felt towards  her.

 

Time passed, and soon school was over. Jack and Diane  went separate ways and found themselves a job (Jack landed a good job in Saudi Arabia). They still kept in touch though… penned letters, sent each other photographs, and mailed each other gifts. Diane longed for Jack to be back. She decided that she would tell him her feelings once he got  back. And then out of the blue…the mails from Jack stopped coming.  Diane wrote to him, but there was never a reply. Where was he? What happened? Lots of questions ran through her mind.

 

Two years passed and Diane was still hopeful that Jack would come back or at least send  her a note. And then her prayers were answered. One mid-August day, she received a note from Jack. It said:  ”Diane, I have a surprise for you. I’m flying over. Meet me at the airport. My flight comes in at 4pm on Saturday. I can’t wait to see you again! There’s something I need to tell you, something I’ve been keeping inside all this time. Love & Kisses, Jack”.

 

Diane’s fingers shook as she read the note. Her heart soared. Diane was thrilled. Love and kisses… it meant a lot for a lady who had waited so long for those  words. She was ecstatic! The day arrived, and Diane waited  anxiously for Jack. She had slipped Into her best dress, and did her best to look as pretty as she  could. She looked around  but Jack was nowhere in sight. She waited and waited, wondering what  she would say to Jack when he got there, what their meeting would be like.  Would there be love in his eyes? Would there belonging, bred from years of separation and hiding each others’ feelings? Oh, how she longed to see him! How she longed to throw her arms around Him and tell him she was a fool to ever let him go without ever telling him how she felt! And she was certain Jack felt it too. There was always a certain magic about  them when they were together.

 

Then a lady in a sexy, tight, blue dress approached her. She had a very concerned look  on her face, “Hi! I’m Lynn, a friend of Jack are you Diane?” she asked.  Diane just nodded her head. I’m afraid I.. I have bad news for you. Jack is not coming… he won’t be coming back  anymore,” said the lady, placing a hand on Diane’s shoulder. Diane shook her head in confusion. She felt her heart constrict. What could possibly have happened? Diane felt an overwhelming fear inside her. Her hands turned cold. Her voice shook as she asked: “Where…  where’s Jack? What happened to him? Please tell me..” Diane begged the lady.. The lady looked intently at Diane… and then she gave Diane a nudge on the shoulder and  said…

HOY! BRUHA KA! ANG GANDA GANDA KO NOH!!! AKO SI JACK (TAAS ANG KILAY) CHARINGGG! ANG SAYA SAYA NOH!!!

Copy paste the above language to Excel format, point your cursor to font “Times New Roman for the translation” or simply read the the translation at the upper portion of the page.  Please Don’t cry…..

Philippine Embassy Advisory

PASUGUAN NG PILIPINAS

LOC-300-2007

Memorandum Circular

 

To      :  All Accredited Filipino Community Partners

From    :  Antonio P. Villamor (Ambassador)

Subject :  Personal Filling Up of Entries of Data

           in the Registry of Prefessionals

 

Date    :  12 February 2007

 

We wish to inform you that the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has received a Letter from Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Chairperson Leonor T. Rosero dated 29 January 2007 informing the Embassy of Resolution No. 2006-313, Series of 2006, Resolution Amending Item No. 1, Paragraph 3 of Commission Resolution No. 2004-235, Series of 2004, regarding the Personal Filling Up of Entries of Data in Registry of Professionals.

 

In view of this, the Embassy is requesting all Filipinos in the Kingdom who have passed and left for abroad immediately after the examinations, to register their names at the PRC Registry of Professionals as provided for under the resolution.

 

For your information and appropriate action.

 

Click Link: Res. # 2006-313, Series of 2006 (in PDF File)

 

BSP pushes sale of $1-B bonds to OFWs

BSP pushes sale of $1-B bonds to OFWs

Move can shift focus from spending to investing

THE BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas has urged the national government to offer this year as much as $1 billion in retail treasury bonds (RTBs) to overseas Filipino workers and their beneficiaries.

In a report to Malacanang on initiatives to improve the environment for offshore workers, the BSP said it had taken steps together with the Department of Finance and the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) “to finalize the proposed issuance of RTBs for OFWs.”

“This is aimed at encouraging them and their beneficiaries to channel their remittances to investment instruments,” the BSP reported.

The proposed issuance, targeted within the year but not necessarily in one single sale, aims to divert more OFW inflows for economic development while giving OFW households lucrative investment outlets.

“These savings and investments will help prepare OFWs for future reintegration into the Philippine economy and help provide additional funding for government requirements, including for infrastructure development,” the report said.

The offering size proposed by the BSP was based on the assumption that OFWs could set aside about 10 percent of their earnings for investments.

The issuance of RTBs also helps the BSP’s monetary policy as a way of siphoning off strong inflows from OFWs.

“For their part, commercial banks have offered OFWs specialized investment products and services related to insurance, pension and real estate,” the BSP said. “Direct payment schemes of banks are also available for the added convenience of the OFWs’ beneficiaries.”

In line with its major advocacy programs, the BSP is conducting financial literacy campaigns (FLCs) for OFWs and their beneficiaries together with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

“The FLCs emphasize the importance of saving and inform the participants of alternative opportunities for their remittances such as placements in financial instruments and investments in business ventures,” the BSP reported.

Based on a survey of four rural banks and one cooperative bank in the three regions where the BSP conducted FLCs, microfinance loans attributed to OFWs have risen in their areas, particularly in Tuguegarao, Cagayan.

Microfinance is the provision of small, unsecured loans to the poor to help them start their own businesses.

OFW remittances coursed through the banking system surged to $11.4 billion in the first 11 months of 2006 from $6.1 billion in 2000. These remittances boosted the supply of foreign exchange, helping stabilize the exchange rate and provided valuable support to economic growth, particularly through strong personal consumption expenditures.

OFW Congress-RUH met new Envoy

8 February 2007 Thursday, OFW Congress-Riyadh  Executive Council members met the new Philippine envoy to Saudi Arabia in a Welcome Dinner in his honor at Peking Restaurant.

H.E. Ambassador Villamor with Filcom Leaders

His Excellency Ambassador Antonio Villamor laid down his program of office and action plans to address specific issues that concern OFWs in the Kingdom. He pointed out that under his supervision, fast and efficient service at the Philippine Embassy is one of the many reforms he is going to introduce. Adding that as a public office Philippine Embassy officials and staff should serve the OFWs in a courteous manner.

However, he requested the Filipino Community through its various organizations and community leaders to help him identify the needed reforms to see to it that fellow Filipinos are being provided excellent services they truly deserve. He cited one particular problem about the Kingdom’s lengthy procedures in processing documentation requirements for the repatriation of the bodies of OFWs died in the Kingdom. Usually, effortless and non-coordination of employers contributed much to the delay of the repatriation of the OFW remains to home country. These must be addressed accordingly and the Embassy should find solution to this problem, he added.   

OFW Congress Execon Members

As for the distressed OFWs in the Kingdom, he said that since he assumes the office (1 month and 20 days) he is in constant dialogue with Embassy, POLO and OWWA officials on how to address the situation.

He emphasized further that he is in line with the new DOLE policy on the deployment of Filipina Household Service Workers. At this point, the OFW Congress Executive Council gave a positive response to the Ambassador as a sign of support to the new DOLE policy. The group however, in 2004 Riyadh Filcom Forum Resolution recommended to PGMA that the minimum age for the hiring of Filipina domestic workers in the Middle East should be 30 years of age.

The dinner meeting with the good Ambassador was indeed a very solemn and productive one. It provides an avenue to interact on specific issues that the Filipino community leaders should impart and strive cooperation & teamwork with the Philippine mission in the Kingdom.

Mr. Abdul Gaafar “Gob” Dimalotang of PHILMOWA (Philippine Muslim Overseas Workers Association) offered solution to the present problem concerning Filipino community in Batha. He also made an assurance that through peaceful means and proper intervention of the Filipino community leaders in Riyadh, this mess involving our Filipino brothers in Batha area will put to an end.

OFWC Pres. Alex Veloso Bello with Ambassador Villamor at DFA Office-Manila

Alex Veloso Bello (OFWC President) made a short reminder to Philippine Embassy officials that they should spare time to visit Batha and see to it that our run away male workers in that area have proper documentations or certification issued from the Embassy. This certification can attest that they have pending labor cases with their employers and protect them from arrest due to the absence of Work Permit and or Passport.

Other relevant matters were also discussed such as:

a)The role of the Filipino community in the May 2007 election

b)”Reaching a Hand” an up-coming OFW Forum in the Industrial Area-Riyadh with the Ambassador as guest of honor. This is in line with the new Ambassador’s program of office “reaching out to the community”. The said forum is being organize by KAKAMPI-KSA (Kalipunang Kaakabay ng Manggagawang Pilipino sa Ibayong Dagat), KGS (Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan) and Black Phyton Martial Arts Association in coordination with the OFW Congress-Riyadh

c)Proposed Filipino Community Relations Desk at Philippine Embassy

d)Philippine Embassy should monitor all Philippine Schools in Riyadh

e)OWWA issues and other concerns

The following were present during the Dinner meeting:

1) His Excellency Ambassador Antonio Villamor

2) Attache’ Rey Banda (Case & Legal Officer, ANS Phil. Embassy)

OFW Congress (Executive Council members)

1) Mr. Alex Veloso Bello

2) Engr. Jaafar Angkaya

3) Engr. Robert Ramos

4) Engr. Dante Pangcoga

5) Engr. Allan Macabangkit

6) Engr.Faizal Sharque

7) Engr. Macario Escober

Mr. Bioux Manilum

9) Engr. Romeo Sinamban

10) Mr. and Mrs. Francis Oca

11) Mr. Abdul Gaafar “Gob” Dimalotang

12) Mr. Manuel Amora

Thank you so much

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following friends and love ones who greeted me in my 42nd years of existence. 

First of all to our God Almighty my guardian, friend and savior. 

To my wife Minda and daughter Angel, My sister in-law Ate Mims. To  Kitty, KayKay, and Michael James.

To my dear highschool friend Monette Go, of course to Ellene Sana of CMA, to fellow Nasipitnon Marlyn Rotor, Merilyn Canlas, Jennifer Ricarte, Sir Ben, Atty. Loy, Tonabs, Boodle and to Nasipit Yahoogroups members, to my kumpare Deo Novelero, and my friendsters May and Jimboy.

Most especially to the Executive Council members of OFW Congress-Riyadh headed by our President Mr. ALex Bello who surprised me with a Dinner get-together at Peking Restaurant last Thursday with His Excellency Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom Antonio Villamor as our important guest.

Thank you so much to all of you from the bottom of my heart. 

Improvement at BK-Riyadh

Our energetic Phil. Labor Attache in Riyadh Resty Dela Fuente is back on track to his original post from last year’s busy schedules serving the OFW community in Lebanon war and Kazakhstan riot. Now I heard that the handsome, humble and smart Labor Attache is planning to focus one-on-one discussions with community leaders in Riyadh.

 Establishing connections with Filipino community leaders is a move that could enhance good relationships between the community and the Philippine Mission abroad. It does not only promote harmony; it is also an avenue towards identifying the exact needs en route for a concrete action beneficial to all concerns.

 The good Labor Attache De La Fuente had started programs to improve the services of our Philippine Labor Office in Riyadh. Presently, he is concentrating that the needs of our run away maids at Bahay Kalinga are taken care of and see to it that they comply with the rules of BK and the strict guidelines of the Kingdom for distressed OFWs, which are under their protection.

Labor Attache Resty Dela Fuente with FilCom leaders in Riyadh

In an email coming from the good Labor Attache, he inform us the following improvements and reforms he started at Bahay Kalinga:

 a) Enhanced relations with Saudi Welfare Administration (SWA) and new policies at BK resulting in faster resolution of cases have reduced number of transients to records low of 50-60 this month. My target is to maintain the average at 50 only, the observably achievable level in this post at current state of things;

 b) Definitely, there has never been any food shortage for BK residents since I increased the budget for food to as much as 35% weekly beginning last week of July 2006. The usual donations of good BK supporters remain a factor;

 c) And, as we announced during our consultation series in November, the suspension of the BK waiver system for household workers was one of my first official acts when I took over the supervision of POLO. Waiver may only be sparingly allowed in case of skilled female workers housed at BK, subject to close monitoring and observance of the rules of POLO and the Kingdom.

He added that; slowly we will focus on improving BK physical facilities beginning this quarter and he welcome recommendations from the community in the enhancement of POLO operations in Riyadh.

Kudos! To Labor Attache Resty. We support your programs all the way.

Filcom-Ruh on FDH Issue

September of 2004 the Filipino Community Leaders Forum-Riyadh made the following recommendation addressed to Madame Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on the issue of the deployment of Filipina Domestic Helpers and other concerns.   

Her Excellency

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Malacanang Palace, Manila

Dear President Arroyo,

Super Maids in Calvary

 

During the last three months the number of reported cases involving Filipina migrant workers in the domestic industry has enormously increased. The complaints ranged from too long working hours to non-provision of regular meals; from physical maltreatment to solitary confinement; from malicious acts to rape, among others.

 

 The most recent of these cases involved that of 28-year-old Filipina who was allegedly mauled to death by her employer and a co-worker.

We have observed that most of these cases involved domestic workers who are young, single, and most probably had no experience being away from their families.

The number of actual cases could be much higher, considering that many of our compatriots in the domestic industry have limitations in movements, which make it almost impossible for them to visit or contact our embassy and/or consulate to make their situations known.

We expect this condition to even worsen, once the ‘unified contract’ from the Saudi National Association of Recruitment Committee (SANARCOM) is enforced, if not yet made so.

 In view of this deteriorating condition, we strongly recommend that your Administration consider the following recommendations for action:

1)  The government, through the Secretary of Labor and Employment, make proper representation with the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ask for the recall of the ‘unified contract;

2)   Restrict the deployment of domestic workers and should not be any younger than 30 years of age.

3)    Include as a prerequisite for deployment of female household workers the compulsory educational training of  self defense, so that they may be able to protect their selves once already in the jobsites;

4)     Immediate implementation of the shared information system, as mandated under RA 8042; and,

5)    The government, through the Department of Labor and Employment and related agencies, study and consider restricting the deployment of workers in highly vulnerable occupations in countries with continuing track record of abuse and maltreatment of migrant workers.

We pray for your favorable and expeditious response on these recommendations.

Most Sincerely,

The members of Riyadh Filipino Community Leaders Forum:

So called HSW-ERP

I received an important email from my friend Welfare Officer Mamerto “Bo” Mercado of POLO/OWWA Riyadh informing us the detailed explanation in Question and Answer Format about the HSW (Household Service Worker) Enhancement Reform Program. 

Filipino and Indonesian maids congregate in large number in public places during the holidays (click photo to read Free Trade & the Filipino Maid by "Dust in my Eyes" Blog.

After a few minutes,  I read a news item at INQ7.net that the labor department yesterday lowered the minimum age for overseas Filipino domestic helpers from 25 to 23 and eased training requirements.

Wow!! Just a blink of an eye,  I may not be surprise that in a few minutes after posting this entry the required new minimum wage of USD 400.00 for our  Filipina Domestic Helpers may change to USD 300.00.  

What a —–. Anyway here’s the link about the “so called” HSW (Household Service Worker) Enhancement Reform Program. I call it “so called” because I am not sure that there will be another changes in the next few days - Huh!!!!

Proposed Amendment of R.A. 8042

Online news item this morning  brightens up my day.

Bicameral Committee on Labor and Employment of both House in Congress met yesterday about the proposed law that will replace Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.

Though, for me the right word is to amend some provisions not replacing the law.  

The said proposal seeks to strengthen safeguards for overseas Filipino workers. Relevant provisions mandates the POEA to deploy workers “only to countries where the Philippines has concluded bilateral labor agreement or arrangements” provided they guarantee the protection of Filipino migrant workers’ rights and comply with international laws and standards.

Philippine House of Congress

I’ve been writing and very vocal with regards to the welfare of our ordinary OFWs particularly our Filipina Household helpers. Their abusive conditions and absence of the concrete protection of their basic human rights in the host countries they’re in is highly at risk. And in spite of the new policy that governs the deployment of FDH, we still have to deal with primarily on how to prevent violation of our rights in a foreign country where laws and policies were  different from ours.

Bilateral Labor Agreements between sending and receiving countries actually were there for many years now. But it cannot be fully implemented due to the fact that some countries don’t recognize or comply international laws and standards pertains to migrant workers rights. Our Government even admitted that R.A. 8042 that provides selective deployment have difficulties to implement the policy since the demand was for unskilled workers.

To give POEA an iron hand by the mandate of a concrete new law could probably ease our burdens when it comes to abuses and maltreatment of our ordinary OFWs;  and their human dignity be fully protected. 

On the other hand, the committee should give ample time to deliberate and study the proposed salient provision “reversing  the long-standing but unimplemented policy to phase out the POEA and allow private labor recruiters to regulate themselves”. Perhaps my friend  Jun Aguilar  could enlighten us on this proposed provision. – BongA