Opinion | Migrant issue seen thru the eyes of an ex-ambassdor

Belarmino Dabalos Saguing
Rome, Italy 05/03/2014

Opinyon | Migrant Issues

OFW Family Club party-list Rep. Roy Señeres INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

It appears the myopic eyes of the author of the House Bill No. 3576 to dictate the OFWs on how they will use their income. In the eyes of OFWs, this proposed law is not for the interests of the OFW family, but to ensure that the income of OFWs will be continual and a constant source of government’s income. In short, it is in line of the government’s policy of forcing the citizens to be regular milking cows.

No, Mr. Seneres. You do not represent us, OFWs. You represent the greedy government which you are part. You do not represent us because you are not one of us. You do not deserve to be at that office . You are misnomer. And it is a shame that you are called representative of the migrant workers just because you won in a very questionable election. You were voted by the PCOS, not by the OFWs. Get out of there and join your kind in that government of dictators.

Mandatory unlovable Pagibig, mandatory paying of this and that, what’s next? After mandatory migration, a mandatory suicide when we are no longer capable of working abroad? You must look on the plight of the aged OFWs who are cutt off benefits from the government. Do something about it, or perhaps you do not have enough guts to do it because it is against the line of your government.

This is the very same Partylist representative who quarreled with his mate in the same Partylist over pork  (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/85995/2-lawmakers-from-same-ofw-partylist-fight-over-pork-allocations)

HOUSE BILL NO. 3576 BY OFW FAMILY PARTYLIST REPRESENTATIVE ROY SENERES

Principal Author: SEÑERES, ROY V.

Main Referral: OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS

Status: Pending with the Committee on OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS since 2013-12-16

AN ACT AUTHORIZING AMBASSADORS, CONSUL GENERALS, CHIEFS OF MISSIONS OR CHARGE D’ AFFAIRS TO ORDER AND DIRECT AN OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKER (OFW) TO SEND SUPPORT TO HIS OR HER LEGAL DEPENDENTS AS REQUIRED BY EXISTING LAWS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Remittance of Foreign Exchange Earnings. – Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), whether sea-based or land-based are required to remit regularly a portion of their foreign exchange earnings to their family or legal dependent recipient in the Philippines through the Philippine banking system or any authorized credit unions, money transfer operators or through the postal mail. Private employment agencies and other entities authorized by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to recruit Filipino workers for overseas employment are similarly required to assist OFWs in the remittance of their foreign exchange earnings as provided for in this Act.

SEC. 2. Obligations and Duties of Overseas Filipino Workers. – It shall be the obligation and duty of every OFW to continue to observe and respect the laws, customs, traditions and practices of the Philippines wherever they may be. It shall also be the obligation and duty of every OFW to provide material or financial and moral support to one’s family or dependent in the Philippines during the period of overseas employment.

SEC. 3. Designated Recipient of Support. –The designated recipient of support of the OFW shall be one of those entitled to support from the OFW under existing laws. The designation of a recipient or dependent shall be in accordance with the enumeration in Article 195 of Executive Order No. 209, otherwise known as the “Family Code of the Philippines” which pertains to those who are obliged to support each other.

SEC. 4. Proof of Remittance. – For purposes of this Act, proof of compliance with the mandatory remittance requirement as mentioned in Section 1 hereof, may consist of any of the following documents showing that the OFW had in fact effected the aforesaid remittance to his or her designated recipient or dependent:
a) Confirmed bank (foreign) remittance receipt;
b) Receipt of International Postal Money Order;
c)  A Sworn Statement from the dependent that said support has already been satisfied and/or settled;

SEC. 5. Ambassadors, Consul Generals, Chiefs of Mission or Charge d’ Affairs Authorized to Withhold Renewal or Approval of Passport. – Passports issued to OFWs may be renewed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) upon submission of the usual requirements and presentation of documentary proof of compliance to the remittance requirement provided for in this Act.  Upon receipt of a duly notarized Complaint for Support from any OFW dependent, which sworn statement duly authenticated by the Mayor or Governor of the dependent’s place of residence, Ambassadors, Consul Generals, Chiefs of Mission or Charge d’ Affairs are authorized to withhold the renewal or approval of the passport of an erring OFW unless proof of compliance of the remittance requirement of his financial support is submitted.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the Administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

 SEC. 7. Non-impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish, impair or repeal the rights granted to OFWs under existing laws, rules and regulations.

SEC. 8.  Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, ordinances, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10.  Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.