Tag Archives: OFW

[Statement] Kanlungan’s position on the proposed increase in Phil-Health premium – Kanlungan

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KANLUNGAN’S POSITION ON THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN PHIL-HEALTH PREMIUM

 Kanlungan is deeply concern that the interest groups like Insurance companies ,private hospitals will be the primary benefactor in this endeavor .If Phil-health is really sincere on its objective in increasing the protection for our Migrant Workers ,it should find other ways to subsidizes the OFW’s. Allow us to discuss our basis .

First, there is no argument regarding the need to increase the benefit package of the Phil-health program for OFW’s . We all know that the migrant workers are vulnerable to hazards while working abroad. Everyone will agree that there is a need to provide additional services for the health care of our OFW’s .They need all the safety nets that they can get .However the million dollar question arises? Who will shoulder the payment of the said premium, will the OFW’s really benefit on the proposal ?

Second, facts and accounts of OFW’s will show that the current P900 Phil health premium is already a burden on the part of the OFW’s specially those who are low income earners . To increase it to 150% from P900.00 to P2,400.00 will definitely be a burdensome to our “Kababayans” whom we consider as modern day heroes!

Third , when the health program was still with OWWA, the issue of transparency regarding the disbursement of the funds remains an issue. The issue of OWWA funds being use for the political campaigns of the previous administration remains a mystery. Even the time that it was transferred to Phil-health, numerous issued have been also raised and remains an answered up to this date.

Fourth, like, other Government agencies the Phil-health has been use by politicians for the political agenda, we don’t want the premiums entrusted by our OFW’s will again be utilize for selfish political motives, especially now that the 2013 election is just a lingering.

To this day, our OFW’s continue to bail out our country from utter poverty, hence it is high time for the Government to provide the necessary services for our “Bagong Bayani”. The proposed increase in the Phil Health premium should be subsidizes by the Government, by Phil-health. After all the funds which OWWA and later transferred to Phil-Health has been using for its operation ,actually came from the contributions of our Filipino Migrant Workers.

Lastly, providing the basic health care and services is the primary responsibility of the state! It cannot be compromised nor neglected. The current administration still needs to convince the Migrant Workers that they are really going on a straight path.

Kanlungan Center Foundation Inc.

 

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[In the news] ‘Justice for murdered Pinay inside suitcase’ – abs-cbnNEWS.com

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‘Justice for murdered Pinay inside suitcase’
abs-cbnNEWS.com
January 13, 2012

 MANILA, Philippines – A migrants’ rights group urged authorities to launch a manhunt for the killers of a Filipina whose body was stuffed inside a suitcase at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) 2 pay parking area on January 11.

“We condemn her brutal killing. Only a person with no conscience but with a highly criminal mind can do it to her, putting even her cold dead body inside her own suitcase,” declared John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Read full article @ www.abs-cbnnews.com

[In the news] Crisis centers for OFWs needed, says lawmaker – abs-cbnNEWS.com

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Crisis centers for OFWs needed, says lawmaker
abs-cbnNEWS.com
January 1, 2012

 MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government should set up crisis centers for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), a lawmaker said Sunday.

Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile issued the call amid the ongoing mandatory repatriation of OFWs in Syria.

“This is not the first time and it surely will not be the last,” he said in a press statement.

Enrile said the crisis centers should be part of contingency plans for Philippine embassies and consulates handling large OFW communities.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has raised alert level 4 in Syria, which means mandatory repatriation of OFWs, because of the escalating violence in the country.

Read full article @ www.abs-cbnnews.com

‘Am I going to die today?’ – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

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‘Am I going to die today?’ – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos.

Nation mourns for 1st Filipinos executed in China

Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: Inquirer.net

Sally Ordinario Villanueva

MANILA, Philippines—They were told they were to die only Wednesday morning.

“I was the first one to see her,” Sally Villanueva’s younger sister Mylene Ordinario told radio dzBB from Xiamen, China. “We locked eyes and we both cried. She said, ‘What are you doing here, why are you all crying, am I going to die?’ She tried to console us. She said, ‘It’s okay. I have accepted my fate. I will be your angel and watch over you.’”

to read more…

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“Malungkot na araw… Patay na po ‘yung tatlong kababayan natin,” -Vice President Binay

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“Malungkot na araw… Patay na po ‘yung tatlong kababayan natin,” Vice President Binay said in an interview with media.

HROnlinePH extends our condolence to the relatives and friends of Sally Ordinario-Villanueva and Ramon Credo and Elizabeth Batain.

————————————–

VP Binay confirms deaths of 3 convicted Pinoys in China – Pinoy Abroad – GMA News Online – Latest Philippine News.

Source: ANDREO C. CALONZO, GMA News
03/30/2011 | 11:48 AM

 

Three Filipinos who were convicted of drug trafficking in China have been executed, Vice President Jejomar Binay announced Wednesday.

“Malungkot na araw… Patay na po ‘yung tatlong kababayan natin,” Binay said in an interview over GMA News TV.

Two of the convicted Filipinos, Sally Ordinario-Villanueva and Ramon Credo, were subjected to lethal injections in Xiamen, while Elizabeth Batain was executed in Shenzhen — all the executions occurred after the convicts were read their death sentence at 9:40 a.m. (Manila time).

Binay, however, said he did not know what time the actual execution took place. “Di ko alam basta ito ay official pronouncement na patay na ang tatlo (I don’t know. The only official pronouncement was that they have been executed)

He added that the government has yet to formulate plans on the repatriation of the remains of the three. Binay is in Qatar to engage in talks with labor officials over the situation of OFWs there.

Binay said he will make an official announcement about the matter later in the day.
Earlier, Noel Novicio, consul of the Philippine post in Xiamen City, said convicted Filipinos Sally Ordinario-Villanueva, Ramon Credo and Elizabeth Batain were brought to a “private place” where they will be executed after they were read their death sentence at 9:40 a.m.

“After promulgation, dinala sila sa isang pribadong lugar upang isakatuparan ang final na hatol,” he said in an interview over GMA News TV.

The three Filipinos — Credo, 42; Batain, 38; and Villanueva, 32 — were originally scheduled to be executed last February 20 and 21. The executions were put on hold following the humanitarian visit to Beijing of Binay, who is also the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ concerns.

The Supreme People’s Court of China affirmed the death sentences on the three last February 11. Binay went to Beijing upon orders from President Benigno Aquino III on Feb. 18.

Ordinario-Villanueva was convicted for smuggling 4,110 grams of heroin on Dec. 24, 2008 into Xiamen, while Credo was convicted for smuggling 4,113 grams of heroin on Dec. 28, 2008 in the same city. Batain, meanwhile, was convicted for smuggling 6,800 grams of heroin on May 24, 2008, in Shenzhen.

Under the Chinese criminal code, smuggling of 50 grams of heroin or any narcotic drug into China is punishable by death. [See related: ‘Kindness’ makes Pinays vulnerable to drug rings]

Meeting with relatives

Hours before their scheduled execution, Villanueva and Credo met with their families in Xiamen, Philippine consul Noel Novicio said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He said Batain also met with her relatives between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. in Shenzhen before the promulgation of her sentence. The meetings were arranged with the help of two China-based Filipino priests, Novicio said.

Maylene Ordinario, Sally’s sister who is currently in China, said in a text message to her relatives in Quezon City that they were only given an hour to talk with the prisoners.

“Binigay na nila ang mga gamit ni Ate. Grabe, one hour lang talaga. Pababa na kami ng court. Wala sila awa,” the text message read.

Last-ditch appeal

On Tuesday, Binay made a last-minute appeal to Chinese President Hu Jin Tao for the suspension of the execution after the Philippine authorities uncovered evidence that could “break wide open” the illegal drug trade between China and the Philippines. [See related: After Vecina’s freedom, what about other Filipinos in jails abroad?]

Binay said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has taken into custody Mapet Cortez, also known as Tita Cacayan, whom convicted courier Villanueva had named in her sworn statement as the person who recruited her for a job in Xiamen and gave her “the empty suitcase” that later turned out to be lined with heroin.

“I appeal to the Chinese government to help us keep Villanueva and the two others alive to enable us to establish beyond any reasonable doubt whether at least one or two or all three of them are mere unwitting couriers, while the real principals are still at large in the Philippines,” said Binay in the letter dated March 28. — with a report by Kimberly Jane Tan/ VVP/YA/LBG, GMA News

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Prayer vigil para sa 3 Pinoy na bibitayin sa China, sinimulan na ng CBCP at ilang cause-oriented groups

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Source: http://www.dzmm.com.ph, Posted: 3:02 PM  03/29/2011

Sally Ordinario Villanueva

Ramon Credo

Elizabeth Batain

 

 

 

(Update 2) Sinimulan na kaninang alas 6:00 ng gabi ng Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) ang prayer vigil para sa tatlong Pinoy na nakatakdang bitayin sa China bukas matapos mahatulan dahil sa kasong drug trafficking.

Pinangunahan nina CBCP Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care for Migrants Executive Secretary Fr. Edwin Coros at Fr. Artemio Fabros, director ng Manila Archdiocese Migrants Ministry sa Nuestra Señora de Guia Parish Shrine sa Ermita ang vigil sa pamamagitan ng misa at susundan ng magdamag na pagdarasal hanggang alas 8:00 ng umaga bukas.

Sa isang chapel sa Batasan Complex sa Quezon City na malapit lang sa bahay ng mga Ordinario, nagtipon-tipon na rin ang mga kamag-anak nito at ilang miyembro ng cause-oriented groups para magdasal.

Umaasa ang pamilya Ordinario na magkakaroon ng himala at makakaligtas sa bitay ang kanilang kapamilya.

Sa bahay ni Ramon Credo sa Dasmariñas, Cavite, may prayer vigil din ang mga kamag-anak nito na tatagal hanggang sa oras ng pagbitay sa mga biktima.

Habang sa Panapaan sa Bacoor, Cavite sa tirahan ng dating misis ni Credo, mayroon ding prayer vigil.

Ang mga Pinoy na sina Sally Ordinario-Villanueva at Ramon Credo ay bibitayin sa pamamagitan ng lethal injection sa Xiamen habang si Elizabeth Batain ay sa Shenzhen sa parehong paraan. Reports from Noel Alamar, Radyo Patrol 38; Dexter Ganibe, Radyo Patrol; and Johnson Manabat, Radyo Patrol

Promulgation of execution set for 3 Filipinos in death row | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

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Promulgation of execution set for 3 Filipinos in death row | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features.

Source: abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 03/29/2011 2:35 PM | Updated as of 03/29/2011 3:04 PM

MANILA, Philippines – The execution of the 3 Filipinos on death row in China will push through on March 30, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

In a press conference, DFA spokesman Eduardo Malaya said the Fujian Provincial Higher People’s Court will promulgate the execution of Sally Ordinario Villanueva and Ramon Credo at 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday.

Based on Chinese laws, the prisoners will only know of their fate upon promulgation.

Malaya said the families of both Filipinos would be given visitation rights between 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Xiamen 1 Detention House.

The family of another convicted drug mule, Elizabeth Batain, was also allowed to visit starting 9:30 a.m. at the Shenzhen 3 Detention House. The promulgation of the execution would take place before the visit, Malaya said.

“Sasamahan ng mga opisyales ng Konsulado Heneral ng Pilipinas sa Xiamen ang mga pamilya Credo at Ordinario sa kanilang pagbisita kay Ramon at Sally, [hanggang] sa oras ng pagpataw ng hatol sa kanila,” Malaya said.

“Sasamahan din ng opisyales ng Konsulado Heneral ng Pilipinas sa Guangdong ang pamilya Batain sa kanilang pagbisita kay Elizabeth,” he added.

The family will not be allowed to watch the executions. “It will be made in private,” Malaya said.

He debunked claims this is the end for the 3 drug mules, insisting “all we’re saying is what will happen tomorrow.”

He noted they are still aware of the continuous efforts of Vice President Jejomar Binay to appeal their cases before Chinese authorities.

“We are aware of the Vice President’s efforts, and we are grateful [for these]…and the DFA is continuously working with consulate officials [in China],” he said.

Binay sent a second letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao, which he said was an “appeal for the continued suspension of the execution.”

Binay said the second letter is in view of the discovery of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) of certain evidence “which would help us break wide open the illegal drugs traffic into China from the Philippines.”

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Undocumented Pinoy workers in US face more hurdles | The Philippine Star News Headlines

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Undocumented Pinoy workers in US face more hurdles | The Philippine Star News Headlines.

By Jose Katigbak, Star Washington Bureau (The Philippine Star) Updated March 24, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (31) View comments

WASHINGTON – Filipinos planning to come to the United States as tourists and overstay to seek employment may have to rethink their plans if a proposal to strengthen worker identity checks here comes into effect.

The federal government is exploring the possibility of using a major credit rating agency to verify the identity of US workers, a move that could make it far more difficult for undocumented immigrants to get jobs using stolen Social Security numbers.

The plan by the Department of Homeland Security is still preliminary and would probably require congressional approval, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday.

The government already allows employers to check the legal status of employees using a system known as E-verify, but hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants beat the system by using bogus or stolen Social Security numbers.

E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from US Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

US law requires companies to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States – either US citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization.

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