Saudi court meted 3 years imprisonment, 600 lashes to 2 Saudi-based OFWs for alleged illegal drug possession

 

 

Saudi court meted 3 years imprisonment, 600 lashes to 2 Saudi-based OFWs for alleged illegal drug possession; families deplore RP embassy neglecting their case

 

An alliance of Filipino migrant rights group in the Middle East today said there are two Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia who have been accused of illegal drug possession and are now detained in Saudi jail after a Saudi court meted out a verdict of 3 years imprisonment plus 600 lashes.

 

The family and relatives of the two OFWs have sought assistance to Migrante after the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) allegedly refused to provide legal assistance by hiring a local Shariah lawyer for their defense citing an insufficient assistance fund as reason for its refusal to render assistance for the two troubled OFWs in Saudi Arabia.

 

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, said the request for assistance came from the families of the two detained OFWs who went to Migrante International office in Quezon City on October 13.

 

Monterona said OFWs Jason and Salvador (not their real names) have been deployed by Al Jazira Manpower Services sometime on January 2006 and August 2009, respectively. One of them is an architect and the other is a tile setter. Both have maintained their innocence on the accusation and charges against them.

 

The two OFWs have been working in Hail City, part of Saudi’s central region and about 800 kilometer far from Riyadh, until they have been apprehended for alleged illegal drug possession.

 

According to the victims’ families, on July 30, 2010, the two OFWs were arrested by Saudi police who have raided their company-provided accommodation. The police have entered into their room, searched and seized some of their personal belongings, then handcuffed the two after the police pulled off allegedly a sachet of heroin.

 

Monterona cited the signed affidavit issued by the families to Migrante which they claimed that the 2 OFWs have never been assisted by RP embassy officials and without legal defense during a series of case hearings.

 

On October 4, 2010, the Saudi’s lower court issued its verdict finding the 2 OFWs guilty of illegal drugs possession.

 

“They have been sentenced to 3 years imprisonment plus 600 lashes,” Monterona citing the OFW brother of one of the victims who is also working in Saudi Arabia during a phone conversation.

 

Monterona said based on the circumstances of this case, which they have gathered, studied and investigated, the 2 OFWs could be innocent on the charges hurled against them; “it appears that the 2 have been framed up,” he added.

 

“But what is condemnable is the absence of legal assistance provided by the concerned RP embassy to the 2 OFW victims; often the lack of legal assistance fund is cited as justification why there is no local lawyer hired for the defense of the accused OFWs and others on a similar case,” Monterona averred.

 

“We won’t buy this “no legal assistance fund” alibi, as there are enough un-used funds for the legal assistance of OFWs at the Department of Foreign Affairs as previously revealed by DBM Sec. Butch Abad amounting to 52.6-M and 67.7-M balances of legal assistance funds from 2009 and 2010, respectively,” he added.

 

Monterona said this is again a clear case of neglecting distress OFWs who have been in jail and accused of illegal drug possession punishable by death, and yet there is no legal assistance provided and no RP embassy personnel to attend scheduled case hearings.

 

“We won’t be surprised at all if the OFW victims would be imprisoned or even meted death after a series of case hearings without lawyer on their defense, though they are innocent on the crime charged against them. Such government neglect is unpardonable!” Monterona continued. 

 

Meanwhile, Monterona cited the case of Rose Jane Mahilum who was arrested in Masshad, Iran in mid-June 2010 and detained for allegedly carrying 1.675 kilos of heroin.

 

“This is another case where the RP embassy in Iran failed to attend on her case hearing that is scheduled on 13 October 2010,” Monterona said.

 

Migrante International Rights and welfare committee (RWAC) had sent an email dated 12 October to the RP embassy in Iran informing them of the October 13 scheduled case hearing of Ms. Mahilum and requesting the post to provide legal assistance and representative during the hearing upon the request of her family.

 

Migrante-Middle East inquired to the concerned RP post and it was known yesterday that nobody from the RP embassy in Iran attended on the said case hearing. (end) 

 

 

Citizens' Disaster Response Center announces winners of ABKD poster-making contest; Zoren Legaspi's son receives an award

The Citizens’ Disaster Response Center (CDRC) has awarded the winners of the annual nationwide poster-making contest entitled “APOY, BAGYO, KALAMIDAD: DIBUHONG PAMBATA (ABKD) 2010”.

Each of the twelve finalists, children aged 7-12 years old, received a cash prize, plaque and a gift during the awarding ceremony at the Citizens’ Disaster Response Center Conference Room last Friday, October 8.

Major prizes for Category A (7-9 years old) went to Abigail Grace R. Tamayo of Divine Light Academy in Cavite, and Kathya Marea M. Palles of Little Jesus Learning Center in Laguna.

The poster with the title "About Fire" by Zoren Legaspi's son, Maverick Peter Legaspi of Reedley International School, was chosen as one of the finalists for Category A.

For Category B (10-12 years old), the major winners were: Trisha Co Reyes of St. Stephen’s High School in Manila, and Lea Anne R. Rulloda of Manila Science High School in Manila

Since 1996, ABKD has served as a venue for children to show their creativity and artistic talents, as well as express their views and concerns on disaster-related issues.

In its initial staging, ABKD has only attracted the participation of more than 50 children aged 7-12 years old. The years that followed showed a consistent rise in number of entries and participants. This year alone, more than 500 entries were submitted from all over the country, attracting the participation of both private and public schools.

This year’s contest was sponsored by Diakonisches Werk, and Sarah Lee Philippines.

The winning artworks will be featured in CDRC’s 2011 disaster preparedness calendar, planner and other advocacy materials.

***

CATEGORY  A (7-9 YEARS OLD)

MAJOR WINNERS:

Abigail Grace R. Tamayo, Divine Light Academy, Cavite (Environmental Destruction)

Kathya Marea M. Palles, Little Jesus Learning Center, Laguna (Volcanic Eruption)

FINALISTS:

Zarah Juliya C. Tabacon, Celestial Village Academy, Marikina (Typhoon/Flood)

Maverick Peter Legaspi, Reedley International School, Quezon City (Fire)

Kajem W. Kitma, Baguio Pines Family Learning Center, Baguio City (Landslides/Trashslides)

Eleanor Iskra Castellon, Immaculate Concepcion Parish School, Quezon City (Earthquake)

***

CATEGORY B (10-12 YEARS OLD)

MAJOR WINNERS:

Trisha Co Reyes, St. Stephen’s Highschool, Manila (Climate Change)

Lea Anne R. Rulloda, Manila Science High School, Manila (Fishkill)

FINALISTS:

Kaye D. Alimento, Salvacion Elementary School, Davao del Norte (Epidemic)

Brigette V. Ayson, Betty Go-Belmonte Elementary School, Quezon City (Climate Change)

Jamia Mei Tolentino, St. Stephen’s High School, Valenzuela City, (War)

Trisha Co Reyes, St. Stephen’s High School, Valenzuela City (Drought)

Photo News : Protesta ng Migrante members sa Al Khobar, KSA sa ika-100 araw ni P-Noy sa Malacanang

 

Contributed by John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-ME regional coordinator

 

 

 

 

 

 

Migrant group demands deployment of a highly qualified career diplomat for vacant RP ambassadorship in Riyadh

 

An alliance of Filipino migrant rights group in Saudi Arabia today said they prefer to have a career diplomat to replace the outgoing RP ambassador in Saudi Arabia saying “OFWs in Saudi Arabia deserve a career diplomat with strong credentials and plentiful experience on various OFWs woes and concerns.”

 

'We wish good luckkkkk to Ambassador Antonio Villamor for his 3 years and 8 months of service to the OFWs in Saudi Arabia, though OFWs have expected more from him that he failed to met,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

 

Ambassador Villamor is a political appointee of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and was re-assigned as RP ambassador to Saudi Arabia upon his supposed retirement on December 2006.

 

Monterona said if President Aquino III is true to his promised of change in the decadent government system extending it in various diplomatic post abroad, he must start it by deploying career diplomats rather than appointing political allies for various RP posts abroad.

 

“The 1.2-M OFWs in Saudi Arabia deserve genuine service from the government that is heavily dependent on the billions of OFWs remittances in keeping the economy afloat; OFWs deserve 'pay back' from P-Noy rather than his political allies by sending senior career Ambassador,” Monterona averred.

 

Monterona said for 4 decade now since deployment of OFWs in the '70's, OFWs in Saudi Arabia have long been deprived of genuine service, on-site services and welfare programs that would alleviate the deplorable conditions of OFWs mostly domestic and construction workers as the most vulnerable among OFWs sectors.

 

He said the 7–10 OFW cases of abuses and maltreatment, aside from illegal recruitment cases, Migrante chapters in the Middle East have been receiving daily is a serious concern that the government must seriously looks on.

 

“A highly qualified career diplomat, as Ambassador in Saudi, first job is to ensure that OFWs' well-being, rights and welfare will be protected, and this cannot be bargained,” Monterona ended.

 

 

Distress: OFWs in Jordan staged protest

 

57 distress OFWs in Jordan threaten to stage protest anew, migrant group calls on RP post to attend their repatriation

 

After getting the report confirmed about 57 distress OFWs who have staged a protest last Saturday inside the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) managed by the Philippine Embassy in Amman, Jordan, an alliance of Filipino migrant rights group in the Middle East calls on the concerned RP embassy officials to closely follow the cases of the 57 OFWs so that they could be repatriated without further delay.

 

Migrante-Middle east regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said he was able to talk with a Philippine Embassy staffer, who has requested not to be named, confirming that on Saturday the 57 distress women OFWs initiated a protest action by throwing their belongings inside the FWRC.

 

“The 57 distress OFWs have been staying for quite some time inside the FWRC after they run away from their employers who claimed that they have been abused and maltreated; since they have sought refuge at the RP post’s resource center,” Monterona said.

 

Monterona said he was able to talked to OFW Rita (not her real name) over the phone yesterday and confirmed that they started their protest last Saturday in the afternoon as they became too impatient for their repatriation, “most of us have been staying for more than 6 months and other nearly year at the FWRC,” OFW Rita told Monterona.

 

“After throwing their belongings, the distress women OFWs have attempted to go out of the FWRC building, trying to get the attention of the local immigration police, by doing so they are hoping that the latter would apprehend them and then sent them to the immigration office for deportation,” Monterona added.

 

Monterona said during his conversation with OFW Rita it was found out that they have agreed to submit their case to Jordan government special committee which will investigate their respective cases. 

 

“But it is taking time, kaya nai-inip na itong ating mga distress OFWs. They threatened to stage a hunger strike if their calls will be ignored by the RP officials in Jordan,” Monterona claimed.

 

Monterona suggested in cases like these involving a considerable numbers of distress OFWs, the DoLE through the Philippine Overseas Labor Attache’ must consider talking to his counterpart of the host government to come up with diplomatic solutions that would benefits both parties.

 

“These are not simply cases of breach of the host government immigration law; the 57 distress OFWs ran away to escape from their employer’s abuses and maltreatment, running away is the only option that they have,” Monterona averred.

 

“We are urging the RP Embassy and the POLO in Jordan to push for the resolution of their cases. For sure the 57 distress OFWs are longing that they would celebrate Christmas and could start a brand new life in the new year to come,” Monterona added. 

 

Monterona is also calling on the attention of the OWWA to provide the needed airfare tickets for the 57 distress OFWs as well as for those stranded and distress in various Filipino Workers Resource Centers in the Middle East especially in Saudi Arabia.

 

“The thousands distress and stranded OFWs in the Middle East are still waiting in vain the promised assistance from the Aquino administration, but since it slashed the government budget for the assistance to the nationals and legal assistance fund, we are worried that it could not fulfill its promises for OFWs protection and better on-site services,” Monterona ended. 

 

Based on Migrante’s conservative estimates there are still more than 3,000 stranded and distress OFWs staying in various resource centers managed by the different RP posts in the Middle East.

 

Pinays Jailed in Dubai

 

 

46 Pinays jailed in Dubai

Angel L. Tesorero

 

Dubai, UAE – Forty-six Filipina migrant workers were rounded up by the Ajman police at their company accommodation on Villa 72, 159th Street in Ajman, an emirate 35 kms northeast of Dubai, early Thursday morning following complaints from their neighbors who thought something “unusual” was happening in the housing compound which is off-limits to males.

 

Those arrested were part of the 84 contractual workers who have been earlier reported living without electricity and potable water bearing intense heat that goes as high as 39°C for more than a month now. Their employer has vanished without paying the utility bills and two months of their salaries.

 

The migrant workers were roused from their sleep by female officers in abaya (local dress for females) and policemen directing flashlights and shouting at them. They were all sleeping in the front yard and on the roof top because it was too hot inside their rooms.

 

They were recruited by Al Farabi Manpower Service in Manila and employed by Dubai-based Lavito Building Cleaning Services as cleaners and office assistants in various schools in the UAE.

 

Filipino Community (FilCom) leaders in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, church leaders and concerned individuals took the cudgels of providing food and other provisions for the hapless OFWs. Filipino male doctors also gave free medical services to some migrant workers who were suffering from skin rashes.

 

But apparently the neighbors were alerted that a lot of people particularly men were going to the place even at night bringing food, water and medical supplies, according to Philippine Labor Attache Amilbahar Amilasan.

 

The police, responding to calls from the neighbors, checked on the situation and found out that the Filipinas have expired visas and sent them to the Immigration and Detention Cell in Al Aweer, Dubai.

 

Amilasan said he immediately responded to the situation and sought the release of the migrant workers who filed a case against their employer in a Dubai court.  The Dubai Department of Naturalisation and Residency released the OFWs to the custody of the POLO-OWWA (Philippine Overseas Labour Office- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) late Thursday afternoon.

 

Menwhile, Migrante-UAE said the entire incident could have been prevented if only POLO-OWWA acted “prudently on the case and right away took custody of the victims as soon as their water and electricity were cut off.”

 

“We put the blame entirely on our inutile POLO-OWWA officers. We called their attention almost a month ago and asked them to house our kababayans at the POLO-OWWA Migrant Centre,” Yuri Cipriano, Migrante-UAE chairperson said.

 

“What is more appalling is that this happened on the eve of President Aquino’s 100 days in office. Isn’t it ironic that our government is not leading us (OFWs) to a straight path of economic recovery but to a jail of misery?” Cipriano added.

 

In an interview with GMANews.TV, Amilasan admitted they could not immediately accommodate the 84 workers from Ajman since the Centre in Abu Hail, Dubai is brimming with runaway domestic helpers and other abused OFWs.

 

“A case has already been filed in the courts and the workers initially opted to stay in their accommodation to seek out part time jobs,” Amilasan added.

 

Liza Concepcion, newly-elected chairperson of the Filipino Community in Dubai, agreed with Migrante-UAE. “The safety of our kababayans is of utmost importance. They should have been immediately transferred to the POLO-OWWA Centre,” she said.

 

Concepcion coordinated with a Filipino school in the UAE to arrange for the transportation of the 46 migrant workers from the jail to the POLO-OWWA Centre, since Amilasan told her that they don’t have any budget for the transportation. ###

 

 

 

 

 

Letter to President P-Noy Re: Deployment of senior career diplomat as RP ambassador to Saudi Arabia

 

 

11 October 2010

 

Hon. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III

President, Republic of the Philippines

Malacanang Palace, Manila

 

Subject: Deployment of senior career diplomat as RP ambassador to Saudi Arabia

 

Dear Sir,

 

Warm greetings!

 

We have known that as of now there is no RP ambassador to Saudi Arabia after the recall of Ambassador Antonio Villamor, a political appointee by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

 

We would like to convey to you that we prefer to have a career diplomat. The 1.2-M OFWs in Saudi Arabia deserve the genuine and pro-active service of a well experienced career diplomat with strong credentials on various OFWs woes and concerns.

 

We uderstand that it is your government's platform to change the decadent system in the government and this must include the various diplomatic post abroad. Thus, we urge you to consider the deployment of a career diplomat rather than appointing your political allies for the RP ambassadorship in Saudi Arabia.

 

The 1.2-M OFWs in Saudi Arabia deserve genuine service from the government, under your leadership, being the recepient of the billions of OFWs remittances that is keeping the economy afloat; OFWs deserve 'pay back' from you rather than your political allies by sending a well experienced senior career diplomat in Saudi Arabia.

 

It is almost 4 decade now since deployment of OFWs in the '70's; OFWs in Saudi Arabia have long been deprived of genuine service, on-site services and welfare programs that would alleviate the deplorable conditions of OFWs mostly domestic and construction workers as the most vulnerable among OFWs sectors.

 

The 7–10 OFW cases of abuses and maltreatment, aside from illegal recruitment cases, Migrante chapters in the Middle East have been receiving daily is a serious concern that the government must seriously looks on.

 

A highly qualified career diplomat, as Ambassador in Saudi, first job is to ensure that OFWs' well-being, rights and welfare will be protected.

 

We hope that this matter would merit your attention and would act favorably.

 

 

For OFWs rights and welfare,

 

John Leonard Monterona (signed)

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

The unbeaten PICE-EPSA crowns themselves PPO-SA 2010 Sportsfest KINGS OF THE HOOPS

By Dessert Fox

 

Al Khobar - It is no Big Dome, the venue of the heated 2010 UAAP finals.  The PICE – EPSA duplicated Ateneo Blue Eagles and run roughshod on all its opponents.

 

The unheralded PICE–EPSA quintet with only wily and smart guard, Homer Pascual as holdover to last year's star-studded line-up has shown a big heart to snare this year's 2010 PPO–SA basketball plum. Pascual is a member of the MBA's Pampanga dragons.  PICE-EPSA president, Jesus C. Mandi, after the team's last assignment with PICPA was ecstatic with "the shear walls-like defense and unstoppable offense won the title rather with ease."  The PICPA encounter was over in a heartbeat as the proud civil engineers unleashed a devastating 16-0 run early in the fisrt quarter and then zoomed to many 42-point leads and never looked back as it claimed PPO-SA Sportsfest Kings of the Hoops.

 

Ten exciting basketball matches featuring five professional organizations were played the last two Fridays; September 17th and 24th.  Five games were played each Friday.  There was a short programme hosted by UAP's Geraldine Suede and Carlo Gregorio of PICPA.  POLO-ERO's Labor Attache, the Honorable David Des T. Dicang extolled all the participants to display camaraderie and sportsmanship.  The initial tip-off featured PICE and UAP with the former toying around and humbled the latter with a huge 46 points winning margin; 83-37.  The succeeding game was a see-saw affair between PICPA and PSME.  The Honorable Dicang reminisced his youth by playing off guard to the PICPAs. PSME won by 3 points; 63-60. PICE proved its first match was no fluke, anticipated a crucial match with the defending champion, IECEP by employing an unrelenting full court press. And frustrating the much taller IECEP no end by another big game; 75-44.  PSME ruled over UAP; 75-58 on the fourth game.  IECEP on the last game of the day avenged its sorry loss to PICE by scoring its first win versus PICPA; 54-46.

 

The sixth game was a battle royale between unbeaten teams; PICE versus PSME.  The battle cry then of the third game of the civil engineers is to beat the mechanical engineers with the same big winning margin.  And win PICE did; by limiting Ted Carian, its biggest offensive threat,  67-46. PICPA on the seventh game needed an extra 5 minutes to eventually win over UAP; 68-67 in overtime. IECEP escaped with a 52-47 score versus its nemesis, PSME on the nineth game.  Feleo A. Gines, PICE head coach before its last assignment against the accountants went on to challenge the players to provide the same gusto and drive by "we were counted off right from the start, this is the time to prove ourselves and the opponents worthy to be kings of the hoops among peers of the professional groups."   And went on to register a lopsided victory; 83-39.  Lemuel Caballero shone brightest with 22 huge points in the first game and timely assists to the big men.  Justin Arien, the prized point guard is consistent, averaging 16points a game.  A steady force Pascual still exhibited his winning clever presence inside the court.  Pascual wrought havoc with his 3-point plays against a notorious PSME squad. A Freddie Abuda clone, Taha Metaphor was scavenger resurrected.  Giovanni Hallara, wove offensive magic, what with his 11 crucial points during a mild rally at the latter part of the third quarter against the accountants.  Rodel Ludovice and Joel Navaratte were equally effective manning and protecting the shaded lane even against much taller and heftier big men.  The PICE quintet with a solid first five played big in each game.  Carmelo Ayunon, Marlon Lazo and Elsier Organo complimented and contributed quality minutes each match.  Christopher A. Gonzales ably assisted in the coaching chores.  The BODs and ex-officio directors were also in attendance bolstering support. The hapless UAP yielded to the defending champion, IECEP; 40-60 on the last match.  IECEP this year is relegated to first runner up while PSME placed second runner up.  PICPA and UAP are third runner up and fourth runner up respectively.  

 

PPO–SA is Philippine Professional Organization–Saudi Arabia.  PPO–SA is an umbrella group of professionals consisting of the accountants' PICPA-KSA-EP; the mechanical engineers' PSME-SA; the electrical engineers' IIEE-ERCSA; the civil engineers' PICE-EPSA; the architects' UAP-KSA-EPC and the electronics and communications engineers' ICEP-KSA-ERC.  UAP's Liyo C. Cefre is the sports chairman while Erwin Pelaez of PICE is the basketball sports coordinator.  IECEP's Anthony M. Laid heads as president of the PPO-SA officers.

 

Bringing out the best in each other, this year's theme exemplified the atmosphere among the participating professional groups.  Other sporting events like lawn tennis, table tennis, darts, billiards and bowling are also being played at IPSA and Al Gosaibi Sports Center.  Exciting volleyball matches and the battle of wood pushers are anticipated before the closing ceremonies on the first day of October.

 

IPSA, yes the International Philippine School of Al Khobar; not the Big Dome is the venue and witness to this basketball milestone.  

Expats, including 14 OFWs, apprehended during 'forbidden' worship in Saudi

 

 

 

Expats, including 14 OFWs, apprehended during ‘forbidden’ worship in Saudi

 

A Filipino migrant rights group in the Middle East today said there are about 100 expatriates, including 14 OFWs, who were apprehended by Saudi cultural police on Friday during a religious service in an undisclosed place.

 

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said there were two OFWs who have called him on separate occasions last Saturday morning informing him of the said incident.

 

Monterona said both OFWs, who have requested not to be named, were asking assistance, specifically in working for the release of their fellow OFWs who were among those apprehended.

 

Monterona said based on the information given to him by the OFW callers, their fellow OFW friends  attended a ‘Christian religious’ service on Friday, when all of a sudden a number of Saudi cultural police went through the place where they are performing a religious worship.

 

“The OFW callers pleaded for help for their detained companions, particularly to get them released from jail,” Monterona added.

 

Based on the information provided to him, Monterona said there are about a 100 expatriates of various nationalities, including 14 OFWs, who have attended the ‘prohibited’ religious worship.

 

Conducting religious activities other than Islam is prohibited in Saudi Arabia and in most of the middle-eastern countries. 

 

However, there are Born Again Christian groups and other similar religious groups that are clandestinely performing religious activities even if it is strictly banned by the host government.

 

“We would like to remind our fellow OFWs to respect the cultural prohibitions imposed by the host country specifically performing religious worship other than Islam; we are ‘foreigners’ of third class category here in Saudi,” Monterona averred.

 

“To avoid getting into trouble like this one, our fellow OFWs must be cautious and must have a ‘sense of extra care’ especially in Saudi Arabia which has been known to be strictly implementing its cultural laws not only to their own nationals but as well as to expatriates or foreign workers including OFWs,” Monterona added.

 

Monterona said Migrante case officers have been instructed to coordinate with the concerned RP embassy officials and to get more information such as the names of the OFWs so that their respective employer would be immediately informed and ask them to get their detained OFWs a provisional release under their custody. (end) # # # 

 

 

Filipino migrant rights group calls on RP post officials to provide assistance to ailing OFW

An alliance of Filipino migrant rights group in the Middle East today calls on the Philippine Embassy welfare officials to immediately provide the needed assistance to an ailing OFW who has undergone a brain surgical operation last August 24, 2010 in a hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

“We are calling the attention of the concerned RP post and welfare officials in Riyadh to immediately provide assistance to OFW Tamano Saltan Ismael, 35 years old, a Maguindanaon, who has recently operated due to spontaneous cerebeller heamatoma,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

 

Monterona said based on the medical reports obtained by Eric Jocson, chairperson of the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS), a member-organization of Migrante based in Riyadh, OFW Tamano has been rushed to King Saud Medical complex on the August 24 after his consciousness level had dropped while blood pressure found to be at 200/120.

 

Subject OFW was immediately given a CT brain scan that revealed large cerebeller heamatoma with midline shift. He has been operated on the same day.

 

A couple of days after his brain operation, the attending neurosurgeon declared that his “condition gradually improved and conscious level becomes better”. The ailing OFW has been transferred to Shumesy hospital and was released on September 16.

 

According to KGS welfare case officers who have visited him, the ailing OFW Tamano is now staying at his employer’s provided accommodation in Riyadh and has been watched by his co-workers and fellow OFWs.

 

“But his condition is not going any better since he has not given proper medication and care staying only at his employer’s provided accommodation; noticeably his health condition already deteriorated,” Monterona observed.

 

Monterona said upon the request of OFW Tamano himself, Migrante-ME and the KGS are calling the attention of Philippine Embassy welfare officials to immediately provide medical assistance to the subject OFW without delay and properly represent him to his employer and demand proper medication and assistance due him.

 

‘We believed, he should be returned and re-confined in the hospital so that he would be given proper medication, care and attention, till he has been fully recovered,” Monterona averred.

 

“We are worried since the DFA’s proposed budget for the assistance to the nationals and legal assistance funds has been cut by the Aquino administration on its 2011 national budget; case like of OFW Tamano and many other similar cases, may not be given the proper assistance, as what is actually happening right now, by the concerned RP post and the DFA. Thus, we are protesting against this illegal budget cut!,” Monterona ended. # # #

  

 

DBM chief explanation on OFWs legal assistance fund a 'spin' to mislead OFWs and their dependents -migrant rights group

 

 

'Give to Ceasar what is due to Ceasar; Give to OFWs what is due to OFWs'

 

An alliance of Filipino migrant rights group in the Middle East today scores Department of Budget and Management secretary Butch Abad saying on what it calls a “spin” explanation provided by Abad on OFWs legal assistance fund that has been cut on the proposed 2011 national government budget.

 

DBM chief Butch Abad issued an explanation about the status of the legal assistance fund and at the same time assured the OFWs and their families that the Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) for OFWs will be worth at least 100-M, as required by the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act as amended or RA 10022.

 

But Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona reacted on Abad’s explanation calling it a “spin” to mislead the OFWs and their families.

 

“We won’t buy his ‘spin’; first if not of the collective efforts of Migrante and other OFWs organizations protesting the budget cut for LAF and assistance to the nationals fund, the DBM would not be forced to provide an explanation, and yet the explanation provided is a twist in order to justify an illegal act,” Monterona said.

 

Monterona said it was now revealed that there are un-used balances of funds from previous years allocated for LAF, and yet, he said there are numerous cases that have never been given the legal assistance by the DFA as the distress OFWs’ families are pleading for legal assistance.

 

Monterona is referring to the 52.6-M and 67.7-M LAF balances for fiscal year 2009 and 2010 respectively.

 

“Obviously, if one will include these balances to the meager amount from the general appropriation and other sources of funds stipulated by the law, then it would result to an increase LAF,” Monterona averred.

 

Monterona said RA8042 and RA 10022 that amended the former, clearly mentioned the sources of the legal assistance funds (LAF) as follows:

 

50-M from the Contingency fund of the President

30-M from the President Social Fund

20-M from OWWA Welfare fund

30-M from the yearly General appropriation act

 

“Thus the law stipulates that the LAF would not be less than 100-M,” Monterona explained.

 

However, according to Monterona, the Aquino govt. allocation is as follows:

 

50-M from DFA budget

20-M from OWWA Welfare fund

22.67-M from Contingent fund

 

From the above, Monterona said, it could be deduced that the government allocation is contrary and in violation of the law.

 

“Specifically, the allocation from the Contingent fund of the President was reduced -that should be 50-M to barely 22.6-M, and where is now the 30-M from the President social fund?,”  Monterona asked.

 

Monterona said they will continue to protest the budget cut for LAF and assistance to the nationals fund.

 

“We would like to remind Sec. Abad of the biblical passage “Give to Ceasar what is due to Ceasar,”, give to OFWs what is due to OFWs and their dependents,” Monterona ended. # # #

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FW: Photo news-PINOY ABROAD- Migrants protest budget cut for OFWs

Caption:

While Pres. Noynoy Aquino and his group are enjoying hotdogs in New York, migrant workers under Migrante-UAE are protesting the recent budget cut for OFWs. The group said that the rights and welfare of migrant workers do not seem to be a priority for Noynoy. The indoor protest was held in Karama, Dubai on Friday. (photo by Angel L. Tesorero)

 

 

 

 

Palace unjustified, illegal budget cut on OFWs legal aid funds to face massive protest actions from OFWs around the world –Migrant rights group

 

Migrante-Middle East, an alliance of Filipino migrant rights groups based in the Middle East, today said the unjustifiable budget cut on OFWs legal aid and assistance to the nationals funds that forms part of the Foreign Affairs department 2011 budget submitted by Malacanang in Congress during budget deliberation, will be facing massive protest actions from OFWs and their organizations to show their disgust to what it called an ‘anti-OFW and transgression’ on the mandate of the Migrant Workers Act by no other than the Aquino administration.

 

“We are convinced that the Aquino administration would only listen to our concern about the unjustifiable cut on OFWs legal assistance funds, among other OFWs concerns, if we will make our actions a concerted effort, internationally, enough for President Aquino to hear even if he is inside the Malacanang,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

 

Monterona said after the news broke out about the unjustifiable cut on OFWs legal assistance fund during the DFA budget deliberation in Congress, a considerable numbers of OFWs and various OFWs organizations have expressed their strong opposition and conveyed their support to join Migrante chapters in the Middle East on its advocacy for an increase government budget for OFWs on-site services and welfare programs.

 

“Our various Migrante chapters in the Middle East, along with other OFWs organizations and the Filipino community in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Libya, and Israel are now consulting on what specific actions to take to show our strong opposition against this first anti-OFW act by the Aquino administration,” Monterona added.

 

The Saudi-based OFW leader further said there are strong negative responses from OFWs and their families disgusted how they felt betrayed by P-Noy who had promised to provide better assistance and programs to OFWs and their families during presidential campaign sorties.

 

Monterona revealed some OFWs and OFWs organizations have suggested initiating an online petition and signature campaign, issuing a manifesto to be signed by various OFWs organizations and their leaders and representatives, press conferences, indoor protest actions, among others, against the Aquino administration’ budget cut on OFWs legal assistance funds.

 

 “The budget cut for OFWs legal assistance and assistance to the nationals’ funds is an indication that OFWs and their families would remain marginalize, whose issues and concerns would again be set aside by the Aquino administration who had promised to attend on their concerns swiftly upon his assumption to the Presidency on July, amid the worsening conditions of OFWs abroad,” Monterona ended. # # #