OAV Internet Voting and OFW representation – Hoping for the best

OAV Internet Voting and  OFW representation – Hoping for the best

GFN (Global Filipino Nation) a group of a coalition of major Filipino expatriate organizations who drafted the insertion of internet registration and voting said that the proposed amendment of Republic Act 9189 known as Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003 is now pending in the Senate.  The bill contains the new version of allowing Internet voting for overseas Filipinos. 

Internet Vote - OFW Vote

GFN office in Manila spokesperson Connie Gomez Valdes in an email said that  “the bill was technically approved in the Committee on Constitutional Amendments headed by Sen. Chiz Escudero and is being passed around the tables of Senators Loren Legarda, Manuel “Mar” Roxas and  Noynoy Aquino for signature.  Once they have signed, it will be discussed in the Senate.”   

GFN advocates empowering global community of unified Filipinos to proactively participate in their motherland’s mainstream activities particularly the right to vote.  GFN is pursuing the passage of this amendment for the coming May 2010 elections.  GFN led convenor, Asian Leaders 2004 awardee  Mr. Vic Barrios and FilAm community leader Ernie Del Rosario are the two proponents who drafted the insertion of internet registration and voting in the proposed amendment. 

Called GFN Lead Harvesters, they appeal to global Filipinos to help lobbying or pushing for the passage of the amendment before the May 2010 election.   “Since we did not make it happen for the registration period, I appeal to everyone to please help us by writing letters to the senators and congressmen” said Connie Gomez Valdes.

 ”It would be good also to write to your consuls to make them aware that we are on top of the situation” she added.

Internet voting was successfully tested in Singapore last July 20 to August 8 which the Commission on Elections describes as “major step forward” towards the full modernization of Philippine elections.  Being a remote electronic system, OAVs can cast their votes from their homes, workplaces and cyber cafes and voting stations to be set up inside the Philippine embassy.  

Filipino community leader Rudy Nazruddin Dianalan based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and the main proponent of ”internet voting”  during the tripartite meeting of Filipino community in Saudi Arabia  said  “internet voting is the most practical method to maximize the participation of OAVoters in elections.”

Most Overseas Filipinos are far away from diplomatic posts and going to the nearest one to vote entails too much expenses. Like here in Saudi Arabia.  OFWs that are registered as absentee voters can only go either to the embassy in Riyadh or the consulate in Jeddah.

“Of more than one million OFWs in the kingdom, only about ten to fifteen percent are within reasonable distance to the two diplomatic posts here. Spread over a land area about five times larger than the Philippines, most OFWs do not have the means or the motivation to travel a long distance to cast their votes.”  Mr. Dianalan added.

Rudy Nazruddin Dianalan is among called by OFWs in Saudi Arabia to represent the OFWs in the Senate.  Filipino community is hoping that major Philippine political parties will include OFW stalwarts in their Senate slate.

“Assuming a crack at the senate, my advocacy shall center on the protection of OFWs from recruitment to worksite, the welfare of their families left back home, strengthening the ties of Overseas Filipinos to the Philippines and their reintegration, and enhancing a global Filipino nation.” He said.

Mr. Dianalan is the Chairman Emeritus of KASAPI,   duly recognized federated and coalesced alliance of Filipino community organizations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  He was one of those who hardly fought that  OFWs should be represented in Congress.  

Among the names eyed to represent OFWs is Susan “Toots” Ople, the daughter of the late Sen. Blas F. Ople.

She served in the Senate in 1987 as media relations officer of Senator Ernesto Herrera.  In 1989, the Citizens’ Drug Watch Foundation was created with Herrera as president and Susan as executive director.  When the late Sen. Ople was designated Foreign Affairs Secretary, he brought Susan with him as chief of staff.  It was during her stint at the DFA that Susan became deeply involved in human trafficking and OFW cases.  In 2004, after  Senator Ople  died, Susan Ople was appointed Undersecretary of Labor and Employment.

Since the 1970s, the issue of Overseas Filipino Workers welfare has become one of the primary concerns of the government. However, in spite of efforts to provide protection, benefits, and programs to address their welfare, there are still many OFWs that have become victims of various circumstances and abuses from their foreign employers.

In 1992, the Party List Act of the Philippines was signed into law.  However, the implementing rules of the Party List Act came very late and the  then newly elected President, Fidel V. Ramos, appointed party-list representatives from several recognized sectors, like labor, business, cooperatives, teachers, OFWs, and others.

Ramos also appointed two OFW sectoral representatives in Congress, from the ranks of  OFWs  in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  

But many say the failure of OFW sectoral representation in Congress was because the representation itself did not enjoy the mandate of the OFW sector they are supposed to represent.

In 1995 up to now many OFW party lists tried their luck to participate in the last elections, not even one of them  garnered the mandatory requirement in number of votes needed to be able to nominate a representative to Congress. 

Now, that unity is too elusive to achieve, the OFWs will try the upper House of Philippine Congress, the Senate – hoping for the best.  

By: Bong Amora

Related Post : The continuing saga towards OFW Empowerment

Rural bankers try carving niche in OFW market

Rural bankers try carving niche in OFW market

by JEREMAIAH M. OPINIANO  (OFW Journalism Consortium)

[Reporting from Ibaan municipality, Batangas and Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. Some of the names were changed to protect against probable harm from persons scouring the news for potential victims]

LINDA has a problem with money: she has lots of it.

Her worries are less about meeting daily needs, which she gets from a regular pension, having retired from working as a nonprofit worker, and spouse of a German, in a European country.

Linda’s problem is how to grow a sizeable inheritance her late husband willed to her just recently.

She isn’t alone in such conundrum: rural bankers discovered this lately through dialogues with former overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and current OFW families.

Lorded over by large Manila-based financial institutions, the booming market for remittance by overseas Filipinos has attracted more than a dozen rural banks trying to carve a niche in that market by staying local.

FINANCIAL COUNSELING. Former overseas Filipino workers from rural Philippines, mostly women, seek advice with rural bankers during dialogues with officials and staff of Batangas-based Bangko Kabayan.

Rural banks, according to Ildefonso Bagasao, are “in the best position to serve the financial needs of OFWs and their families, especially since they know each other and their needs.”

Bagasao is president of Economic Resource Center for Overseas Filipinos (Ercof), a nonprofit group trying to deepen this mutual awareness between OFW families and rural bankers.

Since July, Bagasao and his team has brokered dialogues to discover how families, mainly wives, of OFWs and OFWs themselves are managing new-found wealth from remittances and how rural bankers can help.

Linda is just one of the many participants in these dialogues that started in Bicol, which was organized by Ercof and the Moraleda family-owned Rural Bank of Camalig (Albay) Inc.

The last dialogue was co-organized by Bangko Mabuhay in Cavite on the day, Sept. 26, typhoon Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) stormed through Metro Manila and Luzon.

The financial mosaic formed by Linda’s life as an OFW bare the general storyline of rural folks accustomed to simple living, but are now grappling with ideas on how to handle surplus money more productively.

And with the recent fiasco involving some rural banks in a get-rich-quick scheme, ex-OFWs like Linda understandably worry: it’s money earned with too many trade-offs that are mostly painful to recall.

Like Aurelia Sarina, who lightly chided her husband Primo at another bankers-OFW dialogue in Ibaan, Batangas, for “wasting” some of the money she sent home in the past 17 years as a domestic worker in Italy.

Slow buck

RURAL bankers, however, discovered that ex-OFWs like Linda and Aurelia are concerned less with a fast buck than how to squeeze the strategic worth of their cash.

“They don’t seem in need to borrow money from the bank because they apparently have lots of it,” Bank Victorias’ Bacolod City branch manager Pancho Javelosa mused.

Javelosa saw three seafarers’ wives slid inside luxury cars when the Bank Victorias-sponsored dialogue ended.

Their peer Jurry Tormis, Kabankalan City branch manager, said: “What I think these OFWs need are financial advisors.”

Insular Life Assurance Company Limited during Literacy Seminar held at Insular Life Bldg. in Cebu "Ensuring the Expatriate Filipino's Financial Security" in their IPINOY Money Management Program (Photo by: Bong Amora who attended the seminar)

Bank Victorias president Jaime Lopez, however, said the bank is willing “to go beyond money matters” in dealing with OFW clients within their five branches in the southern Philippine provinces of Negros Occidental and Iloilo.

Bagasao agreed with Lopez, urging the rural bankers to provide family counseling as one of their “services”.

Doing so would make OFW-focused rural banking distinct from other attempts to catch a windfall from the P150-billion remittance industry.

One such attempt was the so-called “double-your-money” time deposit scheme that involved 14 rural banks and a financial services firm called the Legacy Group.

Based on news reports, investors in this scheme who got “burned” included OFWs and their family members.

Bagasao said Ercof took the safer but slower boat by linking OFWs to 15 “stable” rural banks.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reveals there are 648 rural banks in 75 provinces.

If some of these remittances are saved and invested in rural banks, Bagasao said these remittances can help generate jobs since rural banks are mandated by law to invest their income and offer loans in the rural areas where they operate.

An Ercof report wrote that these banks, including Bank Victorias, have a branch network collectively covering over-220 branches found in 44 provinces.

These banks have collective resources worth P149.4 billion, or 13 percent of the resources of the Philippine rural banking industry, the report added.

Have money, won’t borrow

LINDA said she participated in the dialogue with the rural bankers to know if she can make money out of her inheritance to bankroll her home renovation project.

Likewise, she also plans to put up a coffee shop.

Marivic Valencia said as an observation that ex-OFWs like Linda and wives of OFWs like her dive into business sans having the skills.

Marivic admits they need people who can become their financial coach.

She said the coaching that occurred during the dialogue organized by Bangko Kabayan in Batangas was helpful.

A bank manager, for example, advised Linda to open a one-year time deposit, send the money via mobile phone, and withdraw proceeds of her time deposit also through her mobile phone.

The manager’s additional advice: “If you want to pursue your coffee shop business, be visible to customers and be hands-on in the business.”

Bagasao said by advising OFWs and OFW families in their financial needs and aspirations, rural banks can remain stable and create a resilient customer base.

That is also expected by OFW family members like Shirley Buenaflor from Rosario municipality in Batangas.

Buenaflor dreams of running a business out of some savings coming from her Saudi Arabia-based husband’s remittances, but she doesn’t know how to run one.

Buenaflor told a Bangko Kabayan staff: “I hope you can help us every step of the way.”

“No other financial institution knows the needs of rural folk and could offer friendly and personalized services than grassroots financial institutions such as rural banks, whose management and staff live in the same neighborhoods as OFWs,” Bagasao said.

He says Ercof is optimistic the dialogues, which are part of the Bayaning Bayanihan awareness campaign of the consortium of 15 banks and of Ercof, will enhance the relationship between rural bankers and their clients.

According to briefing materials, the campaign will stress the strategic role of rural banks in countryside development.

Other institutions involved in Bayaning Bayanihan (www.bayaningbayanihan.com) include: Rang-ay Bank (Ilocos and Cordillera Administrative regions); Bank of Florida (Pampanga); GM Bank (Nueva Ecija); First Macro Bank (Pateros, Metro Manila); Bangko Kabayan (Batangas), Bangko Mabuhay (Cavite), Quezon Capital Rural Bank (Quezon),  Camalig Bank (Bicol region); Bank Victorias (Negros Occidental), 1^st Valley Rural Bank (Misamis Oriental and other Mindanao provinces), and Cantilan Bank (Caraga region).

Four other banks —One Network Bank (Mindanao island), Guagua Rural Bank (Pampanga), Xavier Punla Bank (Misamis Oriental), and Xavier Tibod Bank (Bukidnon)— are also part of the Ercof-coordinated consortium of 15 banks.

These banks have each designated an OFW desk officer to not only receive queries from OFWs abroad, but to act as the OFW’s financial consultant and planner.

The OFW desk officer can provide the portfolio customized to OFW concerns such as education, housing, health, or buffer fund for retirement.                                                                                             

Comments are welcome at editor@ofwjournalism.net

Pass the Senate and House Bill amending R.A. No. 8042

Speaker Prospero C. Nograles consults with leaders of the various Filipino communities in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who raised, among others, the need for faster facilitation by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration of services relative to OFW Welfare, and licensure renewals by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC). The Speaker, together with his official delegation composed of Deputy Speaker Simeon Datumanong, Reps. Munir Arbison, Yusop Jikiri, Nur Jaafar and Mujiv Hataman, have assured the OFW leaders that their concerns, including better OFW representation abroad, will be taken into consideration and their suggestions be thoroughly studied. The common sentiment is to strengthen OWWA's programs and be more responsive to the needs of OFWs. Additional OWWA action desks in embassies and consulates are also being pursued. Saudi Arabia is the second home of more than one million Filipinos.

Philippine lawmakers are expected to arrive in Riyadh on November 5, 2009. They are on their working trip to Middle East for a series of consultation meeting with Filipino Community, Philippine Embassy officials and Philippine government agencies overseeing the plight of OFWs.

They are members of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs (COWA) to conduct congressional hearing among Filipino Community leaders in Riyadh on issues concerning  OFW grievances and complains. 

However, as of this writing, I haven’t yet heard from fellow community leaders of an invitation from Philippine Embassy/POLO/OWWA  to attend such important event. The visiting lawmakers are Representatives Luz Ilagan, Carlos Padilla, and Rufus Rodriquez.

The House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs (COWA) has the jurisdiction to tackle all matters directly and principally relating to policies and programs on the promotion and protection of the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers and their families.  The 14^th Congress COWA is Chaired by Rep. Manuel  Zamora consisting  35 Committee members namely:  Five Vice Chairman, Lagman, Edcel, Gatchalian, Rex, Labadlabad, Rosendo and Romulo, Roman. Members of the Majority are Magsaysay, Ma. Milagros,De Guzman, Del , Estrella, Conrado III,Bichara, Al Francis,San Luis, Edgar,Sy-Alvarado, Ma. Victoria,Robes, Arturo,Roman, Herminia,Chong, Glenn,Codilla, Eufrocino Sr.,Alcala, Proceso,Cajayon, Mary Mitzi,Amatong, Rommel,Bonoan-David, Ma. Theresa, Dela Cruz, Jonathan, and Arroyo, Ma. Lourdes. For the Minority are Ilagan, Luzviminda,Villanueva, Emmanuel Joel, and Hataman, Mujiv.

If Philippine Embassy will invite me to the consultation/hearing and be given a chance to talk in front of the Honorable Lady and Gentlemen from the Philippine House of Representative, I will lobby for the immediate approval of House Bill 05649 or  Senate Bill 3286 and it should be signed into law before the May 2010 election.  

House Bill 05649:  “The Standards of Protection and Assistance For Migrant Workers Act” is an act guarantees the protection of the rights of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are to be deployed only in countries where labor and social laws protecting workers’ rights, adherence to conventions, declarations and resolutions, and bilateral agreements or arrangements are existing and guaranteed. Principal author of the bill is Rep. Manuel Zamora. It was approved on 2^nd Reading dated 2009-02-03 and approved on third reading dated 2009-02-04 with the followingvotes Yes = 127, No = 0, Abstain = 0.

The abovementioned bill is a counterpart bill under Senate Bill 3286 known as an “Act amending R.A. No. 8042, otherwise known as the Migrant Workers Act of 1995, as amended, further improving the standard of protection and promotion of the Welfare of Migrant Workers, their Families and Overseas Filipino Workers in Distress and for other purposes.”  The legislative status of the bill is for recommendation for approval pending before the  “Senate and House Conference Committee” since August 17, 2009.

Above House Bill 05649 is a consolidated bill substituting the following House Bills:

HB00628 –  “Establishment of a legal attaché office in every country in the Middle East to provide free legal assistance to Filipino migrant workers in need of legal aid or in crisis or difficult situation”. The bill was authored by Rep. Judy Syjuco.

HB00700 – “Act Setting Higher Standards of Protection of Migrant Workers”. Authored by Rep. Rexlon Gatchalian, the bill prohibits the issuance of a work permit to a country where there is no existent guarantee for the protection of the rights of migrant workers.  Bill Status: House agreed to the request for a conference made by the Senate.

HB00769 – “An Act Setting Higher Standards of Protection of Migrant Workers and their Families”. Authored by Rep. Arthur Pingoy, Jr. The proposed bill is an act to institute policies of Overseas Employment and establish higher standards of protection and promotion of the welfare of migrant workers, their families and Overseas Filipinos in distress.

HB04783 – “An Act Improving the Protection of Migrant Workers, amending for the Purpose Section 4 of R.A. No. 8042. The bill was principally authored by Rep. Edgardo Chatto.

HB00699 – “Act Providing for the Selection of Additional Memberships in the Boards of the POEA and the OWWA, amending for such Purpose Republic Act 8042. Authored by Rep. Rexlon Gatchalian.

There are 41 House Bills and Resolutions currently referred to the Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs (COWA) found at Philippine House of Representative official website.  Several  of this House Bills seek to amend R.A. 8042 known as Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.  These bills are currently on hold pending deliberations and approval by both the House and the Senate.

Relevant House Bills intended for the promotion, welfare and protection of Overseas Filipinos are the following:

NO. HB00819 - Principal author:  Rep. Judy Syjuco. The bill provides for the abolition of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and for the transfer of their functions to the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers. Bill Status: Pending with the Committee on GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION.

NO. HB03115 – Principal Author: Rep. Bienvenido Abante, Jr. “Overseas Domestic Helpers Act”, the bill aims to determine the countries where maltreatment and abuse of overseas Filipino workers is rampant and to ban their development to these countries. Bill Status: Pending with the Committee on OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS.

NO. HB04310 – Principal author Re. Narciso Santiago III. “Migrant Worker’s Retirement Act of 2008” establishes a retirement fund that shall provide social security protection to OFWs and their beneficiaries for contingencies resulting in loss of income due to inability to find another employment overseas due to old age, disability and/or sickness. Principal Author Rep. Rexlon Gatchalian, co-authored by Rep. Narciso Santiago III, Rep. Arnulfo Go. Bill Status: Pending with the Committee on OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS.

NO. HB04845 – Principal author: Rep. Narciso Santiago, III. “Left-Behind Households of OFWs Act of 2008″, that seeks the establishment of OFW family centers that shall provide welfare assistance and counseling services to the families left-behind by OFWs. Also directs the OWWA to develop a program for the re-unification and reintegration of returning OFWs. Bill Status: Pending with the Committee on OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS.

NO. HB05621 – Principal Author:  Rep Rufus Rodriguez. “Overseas Contract Workers Insurance Act”, seeks to protect and ensure the welfare of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) by providing them compulsory welfare insurance program in addition to the benefits being provided by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Bill Status: Pending with the Committee on OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS.  

NO. HB05657 – Principal author: Rep. Satur Ocampo. “An act expanding Legal Services to Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos in Distress”. Seeks to expand the legal assistance the Philippine government presently extends to migrant workers and overseas Filipinos, both documented and undocumented, in distressful situations abroad, particularly those who are incarcerated in the Middle East on account of lack of access to Shariah lawyers and other specific legal concerns. Bill Status: Pending with the Committee on OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS. *End*

By: Bong Amora

Read Related Postings:   

Proposed Amendment of R.A. 8042 

Amend R.A. 8042 

Migrant Workers Day - Nothing to Celebrate  

OFW’s opposed newly appointed OWWA Board

The Ninth Ray of Philippine Flag and the Muslim Mindanao Issue

The Ninth Ray of Philippine Flag and the Muslim Mindanao Issue

By: Manuel “Bong” Amora

 The 9th Ray of Philippine Flag

I want to convey my heartfelt thanks to our Philippine legislators both the Senate and the Congress especially the bicameral conference committee who voted for the addition of a ninth ray to the sun in our Philippine Flag. The inclusion of the ninth ray represents Muslim Filipinos who fought for the nation’s independence.

Philippine Flag

The two houses of Philippine Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives approved some amendments to R.A. 8491, otherwise known as An Act Prescribing the Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms, and Other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines. Ironing differences of both Senate Bill (SB) 3307 and House Bill (HB) 6424 led into the inclusion of the ninth ray to the sun in our Philippine flag.   

The author of Senate Bill (SB) 3307, Senator Richard Gordon, commended the approval of the measure saying that it would promote and enhance greater unity among Filipinos regardless of religion. “We are a country that has had a conflict with our Muslim brothers for the last so many decades. I think this is a big step toward reuniting our country, recognizing the contributions of our fellow countrymen, the Filipino Muslims. We should recognize their deeds in our country.” He said.

Well, “better late than never” shall I say, the addition of the ninth ray should have been done a long time ago. In my previous entry titled “Pilipino Ako Saan man sa Mundo” (A glimpse of freedom), I said that “that true character, customs and traditions we have Filipinos, were originally acquired from the genuine blood of our ancestors who were already in our motherland prior to the Spanish era”. Muslims are the original inhabitants of Philippine islands before Christianity was introduced by Spaniards who ruled our country for three centuries. Though history tells us that WE, Filipinos later on accept the Spanish rule in our land, undeniably our brother Muslims were among those proven as the earlier inhabitants of the country.   

Though Filipino historians have presented different kinds of Philippine periodization wherein the Filipino is the focus, U.P. History Professor Dr. Ma. Luisa Camagay admitted that “whatever things that they did should be considered as the turning points, not what the colonial experience has been”. 

Acknowledging the courage, bravery, and integrity of Muslim Filipinos who fought for the nation’s independence are the main reasons of the “ray” inclusion and history can prove that Muslim Filipinos were among the populace who bravely resist Spanish colonization even at very early time of Spanish rule. 

The Moro

 Southeast Asia section, Metamorphosis at  http://rantburg.com/ says “Philippine history also acknowledged that long before the coming of the Spaniards, Muslims in Mindanao and Sulu were already known by their ethnic names like; Magindanaw, Maranao, Tausug, and more. Originally, the Spaniards were the ones called them “Moro or Moros”. After the Spanish rule, Philippines were under America for 50 years, and a quarter of a century of the Second Philippine Republic, they were Muslim Filipinos”.

The Filipino Muslim versus Americans

To dig more, I found out that Moro leaders at that time asserted they (Muslims) were not Filipinos, warning that the cultural, social and religious chasm between them would spell a troubled union. The Muslim Filipino leaders did not ignore history and the warnings of their elders. While they deplored in the strongest terms – the plight of the Muslim, they had to play politics with the powers in Manila to stay in power”. 

And according to PBS ( http://www.pbs.org/ ) an online site that tackles worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs “The Moroland (Mindanao, Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan), also presently known as Southern Philippines, comprises the area of about 96,438 sq. km- about 33 percent of the total land territories of the Philippines. Currently, it contains 23 of the Philippines’ 73 provinces”. The land has been picturesquely described by Herman Hagedorn as “a vast green crab, in tropic waters, stretching out an irritated claw after a school of minnows skipping off in the direction of Borneo. The crab is Mindanao. The irritated claw is the Zamboanga Peninsula. The minnows are the islands of the Sulu Archipelago”.

The "Moro" today

By way of comparison, PBS added that “Moroland is larger in territory than either Portugal or Austria. The Muslim population of the Moroland outnumbers the populations of many independent countries such as Albania, Costa Rica and Libya. The Moros are the Islamized people and the native inhabitants of the Moroland who were once the majority inhabitants of the area. However, due to the consequence of the colonization of Mindanao, the status of the Moro as majority has diminished from majority to minority. The exact figure of the Moro population is difficult to determine because of conflicting information”.

The Moros’ are divided into thirteen ethnic linguistic groups such as Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Samal, Yakan, Sangil, Badjao, Kalibogan, Jama Mapun, Iranun, Palawanon, Kalagan, and Molbog. They are mainly found in Western and southern Mindanao Island, the Sulu Archipelago, and coastal areas of southern Palawan. But only five (Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and Basilan) of the twenty-two (now twenty- three) Mindanao provinces have a Muslim majority.

Imam Reza (A.S.) Network, a non-profit Internet-based group who present the ideals and sublime teachings of Islam (http://www.imamreza.net/eng/) believes that the “Moros were once considered to be the most developed communities in the entire Philippines Archipelago. They reached the level of a centrally organized life. They had their own form of government antedating several hundreds of years the creation of the Philippine Republic. These governments were the Sultanate of Sulu, which was founded approximately in 1450, and the Sultanate of Maguindanao and Buayan which were united by Sultan Kudarat into one Sultanate, Sultanate of Maguindanao in 1619”.

Muslim Mindanao Issues

Today, there are no Spaniards, no more Americans but the fight goes on, not from foreign aggressors but to the same blood that runs through our veins! Filipino versus Filipino (Filipino Muslims versus Filipino Christians).  Click here>>>>  to read “The Price  of Peace”  by: Ryan Rosauro).

Map Area of Muslim Mindanao

At present Muslims are made up between 5 and 9 percent of the Filipino population, they are fighting  for more expansive rights and autonomy in the Mindanao.

Fr. Roberto C. Layson, a Parish Priest of Pikit, North Cotabato during the  Interreligious Dialogue Conference in Bali, Indonesia said “in Mindanao, when you ask a Muslim boy what he wants to become when he grows up, he tells you that he wants to become a rebel to fight the military. When you ask a Christian boy what he wants to become when he grows up, he tells you that he wants to become a soldier to fight the rebels”.

2010 Philippine election is fast approaching; Presidentiable aspirants should lay down their government platform for Mindanao. The lucky one (the winner) should prioritize Mindanao peace process and development programs; strengthen Mindanao policies and implement genuine reforms.

DFA Undersecretary for Special Concerns Rafael Seguis who is the head of  the Government in Mindanao Peace Panel expect that the two sides should agree on two frameworks; one is on the general principles of the Mindanao Peace Agreement; and second, on the civilian protection agreement (in time of hostilities).

Flag of OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference)

The talk was supported by other countries supporting peace process to achieve long term peace stability for the region in Mindanao more particularly the Muslim community. The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), a pan-Islamic bloc of more than 50 Muslim states, including wealthy oil-exporting countries in the Middle East and Africa, has relayed to its central committee its willingness to join the international contact group (ICG) that will be composed of foreign organizations and international donors helping the Mindanao peace process.

The OIC was founded in 1969 and based in Saudi Arabia’s port-city of Jeddah, represents fifty-seven predominantly Muslim countries and is the largest intergovernmental organization outside the United Nations system. The Philippine, Moro Islamic Liberation Front is an OIC Member under Observer status since 1977.

The setting up of the ICG was stipulated in a joint statement signed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by government chief negotiator Usec Rafael Seguis and MILF counterpart, Muhaquer Iqbal, putting the peace talks back on track.

Fr. Roberto Layson said “I believe that we can only have peace in the world when there is peace among religions. But we can only have peace among religions where there is authentic dialogue among peoples. And there can only be authentic dialogue among peoples when there is respect for one another”.  – END

sources:  Global Nation Inquirer :  Congress panel OKs 9th ray in RP flag ; Christian-Muslim Dialogue in Mindanao Amidst Uncertainties, by Fr. Roberto C. Layson, OMI ;  International Contact Group (ICG) ; Taped Interview  of  U.P. Prof.  Maria Luisa T. Camagay 

Nasipitnon in KSA celebrates Town Fiesta

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 24  September 2009 – Nasipitnon in KSA known as NKSAI or Nasipitnon KSA, International in Saudi Arabia celebrates its town fiesta  in honor of the town’s patron  St. Michael Archangel.  The towns’ fiesta falls on September 29.

Nasipitnon-KSA, International

The celebration coincides the organization General Membership meeting. The group agreed a number of projects intended for the schoolchildren (4 Elementary Schools) located in the remote areas of the towns barangays and a surprise donation for the towns new library, the Montinola Information Center. The said library was a pet project of the incumbent members of the Town Municipal Council under the leadership of  the Town Chief Executive, Mayor  Roy Doyon.

NKSAI Pres. Ric Casil & Jun Exclamador

Current NKSAI President Ric Casil in his Inspirational Talk  encouraged its members to continue their kindhearted support and cooperation whatever the group decides for the good of their constituents  and the town in general, especially to those identified areas that really needs a helping hand.

It was also agreed by the majority of its members that the mentioned projects will be realized within the first week of December as Christmas presents to the towns schoolchildren.  

Last year,  NKSAI donated (educational items) 2 sets of 21″ TVs and DVD players  to 2 Barangay Elementary Schools located in the remote areas of  the town. 

Parlor games, sing-a-long and pool swimming were among the several activities during the event.  Prizes courtesy of  Mrs. Ivy Casil, the behalf of the group President Ric Casil.  

(NKSAI Officers) Jhun Redoble & Manny Pasinio

The organization primary objectives are;  to foster mutual understanding and unity among its members (town mates); promote, preserve and contribute whatsoever the organization decide for the progress of their hometown Nasipit, Agusan Del Norte; stimulate their interest about Nasipit, its historical- cultural heritage; promote projects geared towards improving the quality of life of the towns poorest of the poor especially the school children and instill their children desirable Filipino values and Nasipitnon strong religious beliefs and traditions.

NKSAI memberships are  composed of Nasipitnon OFW’s in Central, Eastern and Western Regions in the Kingdom.

Nasipit is located at the Northwestern part of Agusan Del Norte. The town has the major seaport in the province, the Nasipit International Port or Port of Nasipit. It is 24 kilometers west of Butuan City and is 175 kilometers northeast of Cagayan de Oro City. ###

The OFW Journalism Consortium: A Reader’s View

The OFW Journalism Consortium: A Reader’s View
by ILDEFONSO F. BAGASAO

(click OFJCI Logo to view their Site

AMONG my peers, there seems to be a common observation in the reporting of any kind of news that media generally shows bias for sensational stories that whet the reading public’s appetite for such accounts but which incidentally also sells newspapers, broadsheets and tabloids.
News reportage on Filipino migrants is no exception.

Stories about overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) coming home in coffins, jumping out of the windows, committing suicides, of rape, torture, and other forms of maltreatment in foreign shores, continue to dominate our daily newspapers. One has to find balance and variety in reporting of this or any kind of news.

For one like myself engaged in advocacy for migrant empowerment, I continue to wonder; given that we have an estimated 10 million of our fellow citizens working and making a living overseas, there must be and, indeed, there should be success stories and other development-oriented diaspora activities initiated by migrants all over the world that mirror their sacrifices and continued love for their origin countries.

However, if one has not scoured papers, studies and reports, or participate in conferences of development, international and multilateral agencies, academic and research institutions, which monitor, support, assist or enhance these activities, the public remains unaware of the important contributions to the economic, cultural and human capital made by migrants to their countries of origin, and the enormous challenges that had to be surmounted by people who once upon a time made a momentous decision to migrate.

Which brings me to the work of the OFW Journalism Consortium, a small band of journalists who in the last few years since their formal organization, chose to focus on development-oriented migration journalism, bringing to the public stories, reports, and even person-to-person accounts, that may well have escaped our notice.

I am quite sure the OFWJC’s brand of journalism has enhanced the public’s level of awareness on core issues, concerns and challenges of Philippine migration, diaspora activities that highlight the overseas Filipinos’ love for their native land and, at the same time, has pointed out to policymakers where reforms should be directed.

As a migrant advocate since 1999 to the present, I know of no other media group, here or elsewhere, that is engaged in this type of journalistic work regarding migrants.

Their reports have often been quoted or cited not only in academic papers but even by local and foreign newspapers. Perhaps, these are indications their decision a few years ago to focus on migrant issues was a wise one.

Well, they don’t sell newspapers –they only write and report these stories.

If that is not commitment, I don’t know what is. end

Editor’s note: The author is president of the nonprofit Economic Resource Center for Overseas Filipinos (Ercof), and plays the bass guitar and keyboards.

The Statesman and the Right One

When the good Senator Mar Roxas back out of his bid to contest the highest position in the land and instead gave way to Sen. Noynoy Aquino – was really an act of a true statesman.

The Statesman and the Right One

There are two important factor why a politician can be called a statesman; one is a politician who accomplished excellent and untarnished track record in his political career and the other; is a politician who execute all his political plans for the good of the people into a credible action.

Charles A. Beard, writing in the American Mercury, noted: “The statesman is one who divines the long future, foresees the place of his class and nation in it, labors intelligently to prepare his countrymen for their fate, combines courage with discretion, takes risks, exercises caution when it is necessary, and goes off the stage with a reasonable degree of respectability.”  Sen. Mar Roxas announcement backing out his bid in the Presidential race is undeniably an act of accomplishment as a true politician and a statesman rolled into one.    

On the other hand,  Sen. Noynoy Aquino who pledged to continue “Ninoy and Cory’s fight is the only right person that can unite the opposition and probably the best man to lead the nation.

With the slogan “Gawin ang Tama” (To Do What is Right), Noynoy will be the next highest official in the land.

Unlike other Presidentiables (minus Sen. Mar Roxas), Senator   Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, an economics graduate of the Ateneo University is a full-time legislator. A third termer representative of the 2nd District of his home province, Tarlac prior becomes a Senator.  As a member of the House, he was one of the congressmen who voted for the passing of the Overseas Absentee Voting Act (RA 9189), known as the “Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003.”

In his last term in the House of Representatives, he filed a total of 14 measures, one of which was a resolution creating an oversight committee to study how government agencies use intelligence funds.

Born on February 8, 1960, Benigno Simeon Cojuangco-Aquino III, popularly known as Noynoy, is the third of the five children (Maria Elena, Aurora Corazon, Benigno III, Victoria Elisa and Kris) and only son of  former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Simeon Aquino, Jr. and former Philippine President Maria Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco-Aquino. ### BongA

OFW groups in Saudi in a last minute appeal to COMELEC: Extend OAV registration period

Senate Bicam Consultation, March 15, 2002 Philippine Embassy, Riyadh

Riyadh, August 26, 2009 –  OFW groups in  Saudi Arabia, appeal to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to consider extending the Overseas absentee voting registration until 31 December 2009 to give OFWs ample time to register and vote in the 2010 elections. 

A separate statement coming from Migrante-Middle East an alliance of OFW organizations in Middle East and OFW Congress, an advocacy group composed of Filipino community organizations in Riyadh. The OAV registration would be ending on the 31st August 2009 set by  COMELEC.

“As the duration of registration has been shortened from originally 1 year to 7 months by virtue of COMELEC en banc resolution, we appeal to our COMELEC Commissioners to reconsider the original duration of 1 year so that our fellow OFWs could register themselves and vote come 2010 elections,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

FilCom Leaders in Riyadh & Phil. Senate Bicameral Consultation Committe delegations

On the other hand OFW Congress-Riyadh appeals COMELEC to extend the registration period untill 31 of December this year to give way to those OFWs who now realize that 2010 election is very crucial for the nation’s democratic processes. “We noticed that our youths are now actively involved in the process, especially first timer voters as we can see in TV news, how much more the OFWs who harldy fought for the passage of the OAV law?” said Alex Veloso Bello, President of OFW Congress through a telephone conversation from Dubai.

Alex Veloso Bello is presently in UAE attending the repatriation of  the remains of his elder sister OFW Arlyn Veloso Bello who died due to stroke last Monday, August 24, 2009. The member organizations of OFW Congress-Riyadh extends their deepest sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family of OFW Arlyn Veloso Bello, a driving instructress of Al Shola Driving School and an OFW for  21 years.

Bicam Delegations during Filcom Leaders Consultation Meeting

Monterona said on 2006 OAV registration, the COMELEC gave OFWs a 13-month registration duration; “One of the factors why OAV registrants reached to almost 150,000 that year,”

“Mathematically speaking, with a shorter period of registration (only 7 months), it would be hard for the COMELEC and OAV Secretariat to attain a considerable number of registrants such is its 1-M target, given all other factors present delaying the registration,” Monterona opined.

Based on the data released by the OAV Secretariat last August 13, 2009 there are only 10,718 OAV registrants in Saudi Arabia. There are more than a million OFWs and their dependents in Saudi Arabia.

“We are hoping that with the granting of the OAV extension until 31 December 2009, we could gather all in all 300,000 OAV registrants benchmarking the OAV registrants last 2003 registration or even higher,” Monterona added. Monterona said Migrante chapters in the Middle East vow to continue encouraging fellow OFWs in the region to exercise their right to vote initiating various form of activities and information dissemination drive about the on-going OAV registration.

Last year, rumors spread around the worlwide OFW community that there are sectors in the Philippine Congress planning to scrap R.A. 9189 known as Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003, if the turn out of votes of absentee voting be less than 1 million in 2010 election. The said plan was strongly opposed by Filipino Community leaders around the three regions of the Kingdom.

“We have days left and we hereby appeal to our fellow community organizations in the Kingdom and around the world to please exert more efforts to bring their members to their respective Embassies and consulates to register“ Bello added. 

“If our appeal will be given due course, the extension will give more ample time to OFWs in the Kingdom to register considering the Holy month of Ramadan and the coming Eid Holidays” Bello ended.    

The two groups appeal to COMELEC Commissioners particularly COMELEC Chairman Melo to reconsider extending the OAV registration until 31 December 2009.

“Exercise your right to vote, your vote will make a difference and effect the change we want,” Monterona ended. ### BongA

related post : OAV The Fight must Continue 

Timely Assistance from PhilEmb led to the released of OFWs jailed for “illegal mixed Gatherings”

Timely Assistance from PhilEmb led to the released of OFWs jailed for “illegal mixed Gatherings”  

Riyadh,  24 August 2009 — Overseas Filipino Workers belong to  filipino community organization, Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS) who were apprehended by Saudi authorities for illegal “mixed gathering” in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has been released.

In an email received from John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional coordinator,  that the “prostitution” case  supposed to be filed by the Saudi police to 18 KGS members and run away distress OFWs arrested when the Saudi cultural police raided the KGS safe house last August 14 during the group’s welfare case assistance meeting, has not been filed and is now dropped by the Saudi police. 

Monterona said, “the information was relayed by Eric Jocson, Chairperson of KGS,   the local chapter of Migrante in Riyadh”.  Eric Jocson  were among of those arrested during the raid but was later released through the help of his employer.   

The dropping of the case has also been confirmed  by Vice Consul Roussel Reyes, saying that their case officers were able to convince the Police that there is no “prostitution” as those apprehended are members of legitimate OFW organization providing assistance to distress and run away OFWs.

H.E. Ambassador Antonio Villamor with the management of Obeikan Investment Group of Companies during FilCom events in the 2nd Industrial Area of Riyadh, KSA

The Filipino community in Riyadh commended the immediate intervention of the Philippine Embassy  and to Ambassador Antonio Villamor who directed Assistance to National Section (ANS) headed by Vice Consul Reyes to act on the case immediately.  The timely assistance of  the Philippine Embassy lead to the dropping of the case.

The Migrante Middle East through Monterona commended Embassy’s case officers,  Attache’s  Frias, Akraman and Harris under the direct guidance of Vice Consul Reyes. “We will not hesitate to laud the good job done by embassy’s case officers and officials for that matter so long as they will provide same assistance to all distress and run away OFWs not only to KGS and Migrante members,” Monterona added.

The email also mentioned that there is no case filed yet against the KGS members and they are hoping; that KGS Secretary-General Mike Garlan and member Rustico Marcos will be released any time from today who are still  in jail for 11 days now.  

The Embassy informed the group that those with Iqama (working permit) will be released immediately,  those who have expired Iqama or run away will be deported.

2 of the 5 detained OFW women namely Sarah Gumansing and Elvira De Guzman have already been released in the custody of their respective employers; while run away OFWs Clemia Corpuz, Rosa Salazar, Amauri Meriz together with Reynaldo Balagtas who filed a labor case against his employer will be deported.

The Philippine Embassy through diplomatic means convinced the Saudi police that nothing illegal happened in the said gatherings  or there is no commission of “prostitution” as alleged by the apprehending cultural police, locally called Muttawa.

While acknowledging the efforts undertaken by Assistance to Nationals Section (ANS) of  Philippine Embassy,  Monterona  reiterated that “the next most important task the RP Embassies in the Middle East should be doing is to find proactive solutions that will lead in  the legalization of all undocumented and run away OFWs mostly victims of abuses and maltreatment.”

“To our conservative estimate there are about nearly 26,000 undocumented and run away OFWs in the Middle East mostly in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan and Lebanon,” Monterona ended. # # # - BongA