Overseas Filipino Workers Empowerment

Mood:

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2 May 2008 - The Overseas Filipino Workers community leaders from various Filipino organizations in Riyadh gathered at Al Mutlaq Hotel in the observance of International Worker's Day, also known us Labor Day.

In many countries, May 1 is commemorated as economic and social achievements of workers. Being part of the labor force outside the Philippine soil, OFW community leaders celebrate the occasion.

Overseas Filipinos dubbed by the Philippine Government as "Bagong Bayani" or "New Hero" and "Unsung Heroes" because of its remittances uplifting economic downturn in the country. But most OFWs complains that nothing much has been done for the so called "New Heroes."

Working away from home, the progress they seek is too elusive, comfort they long, yet comfort is a myth.

Many OFWs says "they leave the country honored, they come home betrayed." An easy prey for illegal recruiters; the sad story and the untold stories of maltreatment and abuse in their country's destination.

OFWs or Overseas Filipinos probably the biggest sector outside Philippine society yet neglected and unrepresented in Government policy making bodies, even in the Philippine Hall of Congress. 

Thus in the same day in commemoration of the Labor Day, an OFW led Political Party is born. They named it "Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino" the worldwide OFW-led national political party for the Overseas Filipinos, Overseas Filipino Workers and the Filipino People.

PPP offers itself as the instrument of the people to sweep away abuses, injustice, graft and corruption, to build a new and nobler Philippine republic. Overseas Filipinos today are estimated eight to ten million in diaspora with more than 20 million dependents in the homeland.

A year ago, an e-group was created as a discussion forum for the purpose of uniting Filipino community leaders and OFW advocates worldwide. After tedious and usual negative setbacks normal to any organizations in its formative stage, the long time dream come true. Exhausting all possible efforts to unite Filipinos worldwide was a great success. 

OFWs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the leading proponent of the party's birth decided to draft the "Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino" Constitution and By-laws. Crafted by brilliant minds in the party chapter Committee on Rules and Resolutions headed by Joey Badong together with long time OFW advocates like Francis Oca, Alex Veloso Bello and the Party President Dr. Lito Astillero presented to the chapter members the party's draft Consitution and By-Laws. After long intense deliberations the said charter and by-laws was approved. The party members agreed that the "working draft" will be presented in the coming Global Filipino Leaders meeting next week in Manila. If ratified by the founding members, it will be soon registered to COMELEC as the new national political party in the country, the first ever in the history of Philippine politics.

Ramon Ignacio, who support the idea in the formation of an OFW led political party in his proposed party platform outline said "The conscience of the people, in this time of grave national problems, has called into being a new party - the Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino, born of the Filipinos' sense of nationalism, social and economic justice, quest for progress and demand for effective governance in the Motherland. We of the Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino dedicate ourselves to the fulfillment of the dreams and aspirations espoused by our heroes and forefathers to stand with the Filipino pride, and in today's reality - wherever we are."

"The PPP will be like a national political party, much like the Liberal Party and the Nacionalista Party where only one part of it will be devoted to elections. The rest will have other concerns like getting OF representation in related government agencies like the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration" said Francisco "Jun" Aguilar one of PPP prime movers.

Jun Aguilar now based at home is a former technical analyst in Saudi Arabia for 13 years and presently a successful "OFW entrepreneur".  He is actively running businesses in the country along with other Filipino expatriates who belong to the Filipino Migrant Workers Group or the FMW Group.

Aguilar added that "this party will open up more slots and positions to willing, capable and qualified PPP members who want to serve the sector. It will create a tremendous clout in any administration which could result in better consultation and cooperation to lead to the improvement of the sector and to good governance." He further added that "the Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino or PPP will be a party for overseas Filipinos regardless of his or her status in his or her respective host country as well as those who have come home and the families of overseas Filipinos."

In Jun Aguilar's concept paper, it is stated that "the basic reason why PPP is born is that overseas Filipinos, despite their large number has never maximized its potential to address its numerous concerns. It has failed to garner a seat in Congress despite several tries by OFW Party Lists. Moreover, the sector has never been consulted on any State policies, regulations and major appointments that would greatly affect its concerns."

Bong Amora, one of the movers  clarified that "the PPP Constitution and By-Laws could not be perfected at this time but if ratified and approve by the Global Leaders in Manila, a General Membership Assembly will be called maybe this year or next year for amendments and election of the party's National Executive Council."

He added that "PPP's participation this coming 2010 election once recognized by COMELEC, will start by forming its political machineries at Barangay or grassroots level and probably support a certain candidate identified as an OFW advocate or to those who are concerns in the plight of the Overseas Filipino Workers."

Roger Bantiles, one of the founding members based in the National Capital Region also said   "the Philippines has more than 42,000 barangays, I doubt if we can claim influence over even 1% of total, or 420 and yet, this is where the votes are first counted and protected. And the barangay people are the ones who will go all the way to the municipal and provincial Comelec offices to protect the votes. PPP, which is global or pandaigdigan, will have to go "barriotic" or "baranganic", literally "thinking global, but acting local."

The PPP Constitution and By-Laws dubbed as "The Working Draft" approved by the PPP-Riyadh Chapter during its intense deliberation, OFW Congress Riyadh President and Board Chairman of PPP Riyadh Board of Trustees, in the person of Mr. Alex Veleso Bello will present the "draft" to the PPP Global Leaders in Manila this coming May 8 to 11, 2008. The PPP Global leaders are among the participants coming from all over the world to attend the "Global Filipino Nation International Conference" at the University of Makati. An estimated 35 delegates mostly community leaders coming from  OFW community in Central, Western and Eastern Region in Saudi Arabia will attend the mentioned conference.

 

 

In the said GFN conference PPP Riyadh will also present in the Political Module the proposed OFW empowerment which is the creation of an OFW led political party as a means for a change in the shattered image of Philippine politics. Mr. Alex Veloso Bello stresses a point during the meeting that it is about time that Overseas Filipinos and dependents at home be represented and be actively involved in Philippine governance. 

The goal of the GFN conference would bring all overseas Filipinos who share a common goal of effective governance in the Homeland, anchored on grassroots economic empowerment and resolution of issues facing migrant workers and their families, and with raised consciousness of a nation ready to march as one. The event is expected to be the largest assembly of overseas Filipinos ever organized including thousands of overseas Filipino leaders, members of their families, their friends onshore who share the same governance vision, collaborative global business partners and investors, grassroots entrepreneurs, new nationwide potential political leaders.

GFN conference is the largest assembly of overseas Filipino ever organized where 5,000 participants are expected to attend who share the same governance vision. Also, there are estimated 10,000 clusters of overseas Filipino leaders who will be linked by video through the internet and Local News Channel to the Plenary Session and workshops/discussion groups to allow for real-time interaction A job fair will also be held simultaneously at the University of Makati campus with over 10,000 people are expected to attend.

Article 3, Section 6 of PPPs Charter are as follows:

SECTION 6 - Advocate and/or legislate such programs for the welfare of Overseas Filipinos, like:

6.1. Advocate for the safety and well being of the OFs.

6.2.   Promote civic, social and economic programs designed for the upliftment of OFs.

6.3.   Advocate for the implementation of a social security systems designed to meet the needs and requirements of OFs.

6.4.   Advocate for the national Policy and program for crisis intervention on the plight of OFs in distress in various parts of the world.

6.5.   Advocate for the national policy and program for the re-integration of OFs into the mainstream of Philippine economy and society;

6.6.   Legislate laws to safeguard OFWs from illegal and exploitative recruitment practices, and enact a law that will provide stiff punishment;

6.7.   Legislate laws that will provide stiff punishment to proven corrupt officials in the POEA, OWWA, DOLE and other government agencies mandated to take care of the plight of the OFWs.

6.8.   Advocate for upholding the Human Rights of OFs all over the world, and urge the Philippine Government to exert more efforts through diplomatic channels to provide relief to OFs who have fallen victim to human rights abuses.

The PPP Working Draft Constitution and By-Laws were approved by the following PPP-Riyadh Chapter members:

1)  Dr. Carlito Astillero

2)  Alex Veloso Bello

3)  Francis Oca

4)  Manuel Amora

5)  Joey Badong

6)  Engr. Francisco Naval

7)  Engr. Bioux Manilum

8)  Engr. Abdullah Ronnie Ulip

9)  Abdulaziz Virgula

10)Dante Villaflores

11)Ed Estrada

12)Pete Vicuna

13)Engr. Macario Escober

14)Cayetano Aloboyog

15)Roberto Barreto

16)Madid Alonto

17)Engr. Faizal Sharque

18)Engr. Manuel Morden

19)Abdulgaafar Dimalotang

20)Engr. Cenon Sagadal, Jr.

21)Romeo Sinamban

22)Engr. Robert Ramos

23)Ricardo Roda

24)Jun Nacion

25)Engr. Allan Macabangkit

26)Saleh Ampaso Bucay

27)Engr. Dante Pangcoga

28)Engr. Mohd. Elias Mua

29)Rene Esperanzate

30)Michael Dimalotang

Category: Ofw Empowerment
Tags: PPP, Partidonmg Pandagidigang Pilipino, OFW

posted by Manuel at 05/06/2008 20:25:28 | 0 comment(s) | 0 trackback(s)

MORE THAN 10% OF PHILIPPINE POPULATION WORK OUTSIDE

OF THEIR HOMELAND*

By: Cesar Torres

This is probably a first in the history of mankind.

More than 10% of Philippine population of 89.5 million are in Diaspora.  We are working in various capacities all over the world. We have remitted US$15 billion to the homeland in 2005, according to the London-based Economist, an amount which is equivalent to 15.2% of Philippine Domestic Product for that year. Two-thirds of our people rely on us. Obviously, under normal circumstances, we should be given a little importance.

The powerful people in the Philippines cannot just consign us to a position as a lucrative and dependable source of Philippine foreign exchange to help stabilize our economy.

As a matter of fairness and in the national interest, we have to be represented in the affairs of government. When there is massive and legitimate dissatisfaction with the quality of national leadership and system of governance, our people can no longer continue to mass by the millions on a major street in Metro Manila like what happened in 1986 and 2001, in EDSA I and EDSA II, to demand that presidents depart from Malacaņang.  Resorting to  "direct democracy" through mass actions can no longer guarantee a peaceful change in power.  The potential risks have become deadly.

Consequently, less dramatic and less potentially dangerous was the enactment of two legislations by the Philippine Congress affecting overseas Filipinos. In 2003 a law allowing "Dual Citizenship", Republic Act 9225, was passed.  It allowed natural-born Filipino citizens who may have lost their Philippine citizenship due to naturalization as citizens of a foreign country to re-acquire their Philippine citizenship.   As of January 2007, the Bureau of Immigration had approved the application for dual citizenship of more than 24,000 former Filipinos.

In the same year, the Overseas Absentee Voting Law (OAVL) was also enacted.  This law allows qualified Filipinos outside of the homeland to exercise their right of suffrage.

The latest figure from the Philippine Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department of Foreign Affairs indicate that some 504,000 Filipinos have registered as Overseas Absentee Voters.

It is noteworthy that based on the available data,  in North and South America as of January 19, 2007, the Consulate General in San Francisco tops the list of the number of registered absentee voters at 4,800 out of a total of 13,083. For the same period, Los Angeles recorded 154 and Honolulu 20. Needless to say, the figures in these two cities are dismal, considering the great number of Filipinos in those places.

The San Francisco Consulate General also accounts for some 6,500 Dual Citizens out of the 24,000 or so all over the world.  This is more than 27% of the total world wide. In fact, about 50 Filipino-Americans are sworn in as Filipino citizens every week.

Participation in Philippine governance by exercising the right of suffrage is one way of being involved more closely in the affairs of the homeland. The Overseas Absentee Voters and the Dual Citizens who have registered to vote can help in the selection of the more qualified and competent legislators.  It is unfortunate, however, that the right of suffrage is confined to voting for President, Vice President, Senators, and Party List representatives. Overseas Absentee Voters would prefer to vote for their congressmen and governors because they have a direct impact on their hometowns and communities more than senators and Party List representatives.

Aside from participating in the election of their Senators, Party List Congressmen, Presidents and Vice Presidents, there is now an intensifying clamor among the 10 million Filipinos all over the world that they should have the right to be voted on as candidates for political offices without renouncing their other citizenship. It is argued that the right to vote implies the corresponding right to be voted on.  If one is a dual citizen of, say, the United States and the Philippines, and US laws do not prohibit Philippine citizenship while retaining American citizenship, Global Filipino Nation advocates such as Dr. Jose V. Abueva, Victor Barrios, Lito Gutierrez, Carmen Colet, Evelio Flores, Aida Barrios, Morgan Benedicto, University of San Francisco Professor Jun Jun Villegas of the Global Filipinos Coalition, UP lawyers Johannes Ignacio and May Ann Teodoro, journalists such as Greg Makabenta and Perry Diaz in the United States, and other concerned civic Filipino leaders all over the world such as Bong Amora, Sultan Rudy Dianalan, Bong Karno, Gerry Cuares in the Middle East, and Jun Aguilar and Leo Santiago whose network extend to sailors and Filipino workers all over the world, passionately argue that dual citizens should have the right to be candidates for political office or to be appointed to public offices in the Philippines.

This advocacy is now being hotly contested in the Philippines. Theodore Makabulos Aquino or Kuya Ted, a nephew of the assassinated martyr Ninoy Aquino, who is both a Filipino and an American citizen has filed his certificate of candidacy as an independent candidate for Senator this May 14, 2007 election. A graduate of the University of the Philippines, president of the UP Alumni Association of America, a volunteer in the Transfer of Knowledge and Technology program to the Philippines of the United Nations Development Program, an engineering and environmental consultant in America, the Comelec has disqualified his candidacy because he has not renounced his American citizenship. A request for reconsideration has been submitted. As we go to press, a decision is now being awaited. If the decision is adverse, then off to the Philippine Supreme Court it will be.  It is imperative that the highest court in the land should rule on this critical issue.

In these critical times when mankind is faced with the deadly challenges of terrorism, global warming, globalization, intensifying poverty, environmental degradation, revolutionary movements, and hunger in the Philippines, our leaders cannot continue to lean on traditional and hackneyed ideas of citizenship and political participation. In California, the eight largest economy in the world,  Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger is not only a dual citizen.  He is a Triple Citizen.  He is American, Austrian, and European Union Citizen. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is a dual citizen.  He is American and Mexican. The Philippines needs to take this "New Reality", in the words of Mr. Robert Ceralvo, an outstanding Filipino and IT engineer, into consideration.

In addition to the foregoing types of representation, the Philippines can learn from the system in Italy.  Italians who are outside of Italy, those in what are known as "Foreign Constituencies", are represented in the Italian legislature.  Six senators and twelve deputies represent these "Foreign Constituencies" in the Italian legislature.

After the election on May 14, it is more less certain that the issue of Charter Change will be addressed again.  We are not familiar with all the details of the draft Philippine Constitution that the House of Representatives wanted to impose on the Filipino people.  Whatever it is, the 10 million Filipinos can no longer be regarded as just brutalized and insulted domestic helpers and exploited Filipinos.  They have every right to participate in shaping the kind of society that their fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, relatives, and fellow Filipinos are hoping for - the dream of a progressive, peaceful, respectable, and just Philippine society. 

(Originally published in the April 2007 issue of the  "Filipino Insider", a monthly newsmagazine published monthly in San Francisco and originally distributed with the San Francisco Chronicle. The author was a former faculty member of the University of the Philippines Department of Political Science. He can be reached at Cesar1185@aol.com)

posted by Manuel at 04/03/2008 12:35:08 | 3 comment(s) | 0 trackback(s)

Mood:

Congratulations! To the newly elected members of the Executive Committee and Chapter's 15 Man Board of Trustees of the Partido Pandaigdigang Pilipino (PPP).  

CHARTER OF THE

 

PARTIDO PANDAIGDIGANG PILIPINO

 

 

 

PREAMBLE

 

We, Overseas Filipinos, together with our families and friends at home and elsewhere in the world, united in common purpose hereby dedicate ourselves to the principles and values that guided our forefathers in their quest for a truly independent and democratic Philippines.

 

We recognize that the Nation's political as well as economic stability is founded on the strength of its political institutions. We acknowledge that a political party which seeks the trust of the people must prove that it is worthy of that trust; that a party which professes that the Constitution reflects the Sovereign Will of the people must be ready to uphold it at all time; that a party which aims to achieve the best for the Nation and its people must embody our Nation's heritage and traditions.

 

Upon these principles, we shall endeavor to be the prime mover of ethical governance and corrupt-free government; to be the Party of choice by all those who believe in the teachings, ideals, and principles of our forefathers and national heroes

 

We pledge ourselves to serve the Filipino people with the highest degree of dignity excellence and equality, by abiding strictly to the tenets of accountability, transparency, integrity, and credibility; and by seeking Divine Guidance in our manners and ethics.

 

Under God's guidance, we do establish and adopt this Charter of the Partido Pandaigdigang Pilipino.

 

Executive Council :

President : Dr. Carlito Astillero
Vice President : Francis Oca
Secretary : Manuel Amora
Treasurer : Romeo Sinamban
 

Board of Trustees:

Alex Veloso Bello
Engr. Allan Macabangkit
Engr. Jaafar Ankaya
Engr. Macario Escober
Engr. Dante Pangcoga
Engr. Frank Naval
Haji Gafhar Demalotang
Ed Estrada
Pete Vicuna
Biox Manilum
Joey Badong
Engr. Robert Ramos
Michael Natangcop
Engr. Faisal Sharque
Elias Salvador

 

Category: ofwempowerment
Tags: PPP, Partido Pandaigdigang Pilipino

posted by Manuel at 03/10/2008 14:14:10 | 0 comment(s) | 0 trackback(s)

Mood: awake

A FilAm Lawyer who studied law with an undergrad degree from Harvard and graduated law degree at Yale is now a famous blogger in America. Why he became famous is because of his love and obsession in writing.    

His forte as a blogger focused both the beauty and the flaw of the legal profession in America more particularly issues and personalities in the judicial branch of the U.S. Government.

He is Atty. David Lat, a 32 year old Filipino-American and a son of Philippine immigrants, his parents are successful doctors.

He started blogging with a blog name "Underneath Their Robes" (UTR), a gossip blog about people and events in the federal judiciary.  Using a pseudonym "Article III Groupie" - "A3G," for short. Article III refers to the U.S. Constitution's third article on the Judicial Department which essentially states that the "Judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish."

He almost lost his job when he was known public that A3G a female lawyer from a top law school, working at a large law firm was the same person in the name of David Lat working as Assistant U.S. Attorney (Federal Prosecutor) at the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey.

He wasn't fired and was advised to remove the blog but after four months he resigned from the job and decide to blog full time and created a blog named "Above the Law".

Prior at the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey, he worked as a clerk in the Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit. After a year David landed a job from America's most prestigious firm, Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz LLP based in New York as Litigator for two and a half years.

Now "Above The Law" is a most read blog in America dubbed him as the "Whistle Blower" in America's Legal Community.

How I wish that a Filipino Lawyer based in the Philippines would write a blog as what David does with a blog name "Hoodlums in Robe."  

Note: This entry summarizes the story of FilAm Lawyer David Lat at Inquirer online Global Nation article "The most Scandalous Filipino lawyer in America."  

posted by Manuel at 02/22/2008 16:07:08 | 0 comment(s) | 0 trackback(s)

Mood:

KASAPI CONGRESS

Kongreso ng Kapulungan ng mga Samahang Pilipino

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia