Pinoys seeking repatriation in Saudi warned vs fixers posing as embassy execs

Filipinos in Saudi Arabia, especially those seeking repatriation, were warned Wednesday against fixers and middlemen pretending to be officials of the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in the Kingdom.

 

In an advisory, the Philippine embassy in Saudi Arabia said it received reports of some Filipinos being victimized by such impostors who ask for money.

 

"The travel documents issued by the Embassy and the Consulate to Filipinos who are going to be repatriated during the grace period are for free.  There are no charges.  The Embassy has received reports that some fixers are charging SR1,000 to SR3,500 (P10,993 to P38,478), and are around the Embassy or the temporary field office at the Elite International School," it said.

 

The embassy noted that these "fixers, middlemen and pretenders ask for money for Embassy and Consulate services which are extended for free."

 

Several Filipinos have been seeking travel documents to the Philippines to avail of a grace period that will allow them to address their irregular residency and labor status.

 

The grace period ends on July 3.

 

Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy reminded Filipinos to check the websites of the embassy and the consulate for official advisories.

 

It also urged them to "ensure that they are dealing with officials and personnel of the Embassy and attached services inside the premises of the two missions who are required to have an embassy or consulate identification card."

 

On the other hand, it pointed out all payments for consular services are paid only to the cashier with a corresponding official receipt.

 

The embassy urged Filipinos to reports fixers pretending to be embassy or consulate officials to rype@riyadhpe.com orrype@riyadhpe.com, or via phone. - VVP, GMA News

OFWs in Taiwan still uneasy amid assurance of safety

Amid claims the tension in Taiwan over the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman last May 9 in Philippine waters is easing, many Filipino workers there still feel uneasy, an overseas Filipino worker group official said late Thursday.

Migrante Taiwan vice president Shiela Mayandia also said they are organizing a prayer vigil of Filipinos and Taiwanese this weekend to call anew for an early resolution to the problem.

"Kahit nagbigay ng assurance, pero may pangamba sa amin, nag-iingat pa rin kami," Mayandia said in an interview on dzBB.

Also, she said there has been no incident of Taiwanese harassing Filipinos over the May 9 incident since an attack on an OFW last Saturday.

But she still said many OFWs are still instructed by their employers to introduce themselves as other nationals such as Indonesians.

On the other hand, she said, "[May] plano kami [ngayong] Sunday na magkaroon ng prayer vigil. I need to contact Taiwanese organizations and friends. 'Yan din ang kanilang purpose para mag-unite ang Filipinos and Taiwanese," she said.

Tension easing 

Last Thursday, Filipino priest Fr. Leonilo Mantilla, parish priest of St. Christopher’s Church in Taipei’s Zhongshan district, said the tension continued to ease.

Mantilla told Church-run Radyo Veritas many Filipinos are attending Mass again in Taiwan.

“At this moment, the situation is very cool and the tension is easing,” he said. Excerpts of the interview were posted Thursday evening on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines news site.

Mantilla’s parish has the highest number of Masses daily and 99 percent of his parishioners are Filipinos, the CBCP said. — LBG, GMA News

After low voter turnout, Drilon eyes review of overseas absentee voting law

Sen. Franklin Drilon will seek a “review” on the law on overseas absentee voting following the dismal turnout of overseas voters in the recently concluded elections.

Drilon, author of the Overseas Absentee Voting Act or Republic Act 9189, said this is one of the first things he'll do when the 16th Congress opens in July.

“We will ask the appropriate committees, we will file the appropriate resolution,” he told reporters at a forum on Thursday.

Drilon particularly wants to know how the law is being implemented by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as the lead agency and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) as the supporting agency.

He also wants to know how the P43.4 million budget for the overseas absentee voting was spent.

“Both Comelec and DFA, when session opens, and at the appropriate time, at the committee hearing, [or during] budget or electoral reforms committee [deliberations], we will ask them how the budget was spent,” Drilon said.

Low turnout

The senator said based on the low turnout of votes from abroad, it seems like the government spent around P1,300 for every vote cast. He also said overseas Filipino voters had complained of inefficiencies in the voting system.

“Our estimate is that we spent over P1,300 per capita for each vote cast by our overseas Filipinos. I am getting initial reports about the inefficiencies particularly in the addresses in the voters' list and therefore the voting by  mail has not been effective, and has resulted in just 15 percent of the registered voters casting their ballots on election day,” Drilon said

However, when speaking about the Comelec suggestion that overseas Filipinos vote online, Drilon was lukewarm, saying before such a suggestion can be considered, the sanctity of the ballot must first be assured.

“We have to open our minds to this systems given the advances in IT. But let us not forget that the sanctity of the ballot should not be compromised. Yes I am open to suggestions. I just want assurances that the sanctity of the ballot will not be  compromised by such systems,” he said.

The Overseas Absentee Voting Act was enacted in February 2003. — KBK, GMA News

No recommendation of deployment ban to Taiwan – MECO

Tags: Taiwan

The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) on Thursday said they won't be recommending a deployment ban of Filipino workers to Taiwan, at least for now.

 

“At this point in time, hindi kami magrerekomenda na huwag mag-deploy ng Filipino o magrepatriate,” MECO Managing Director Antonio Basilio told GMA News TV's News to Go host Howie Severino in an interview.

 

“Actually wala pa kaming natatanggap na request [na gustong magparepatriate],” Basilio added.

 

On May 9, a Taiwanese fisherman suspected of poaching was allegedly shot by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the Balintang channel resulting in Taipei's public outrage following his death.

 

But Basilio said there have been no recent reports of harassment against OFWs due to the vigilance and quick respondence of Taiwanese police.

 

“In the last 48 hours, wala kaming bagong report na may nasaktang Pilipino,” Basilio said, adding that the previous incidents have already been handled by Taiwanese authorities.

 

He said the culprits have been caught in all four cases and the complainants have either entered into an out-of-court settlement or pushed through in filing cases.

 

Taiwan's ministries of justice and foreign affairs and ultimately President Ma Ying-jeou have assured the safety of Filipinos residing in Taiwan.

OFWs still going to Taiwan

 

In the same interview, Basilio said there was a group of 20 Filipinos who went to Taiwan Wednesday to work there amid the reported freeze hiring against OFWs.
 

He said that those who have already been processed will still push through with their work in Taiwan.

 

He also noted that there are around 80,000 OFWs there and pulling out these workers may affect the Taiwanese economy.

 

“Malaki ang epekto kasi most of our workers there are employed sa kanilang manufactuing industry. Mostly mga hightech yun,” Basilio said, adding “Preferred nila yung mga Filipino because of their work ethic and their knowledge of English.”

 

He said that the Philippines and Taiwan are in talks with each other and the National Bureau of Investigation will be sending a team to inspect the fishing vessel in Taiwan while a Taiwanese team will inspect the guns used by the PCG.

 

Hoax

 

Meanwhile, Basilio belied earlier reports that some OFWs in Taiwan experienced being declined services in food stalls and markets there.

 

He said that this was part of a staged hoax by a reporter who recently got fired for trying to stir up the rising tensions between Philippines and Taiwan.

 

“Of course meron demonstration, may flag burning. May nagbabato ng itlog sa opisina namin pero di umaabot sa ganoong violence,” he said.

 

Basilio said Taiwan is angry since one of their countrymen died. 

 

“Bihira naman mangyari sa Taiwan yun na may isang kababayan nila na napapatay. Kaya sa kanila, malaking issue pero not enough to cause public anger,” Basilio explained.

 

Letter from Taiwan?

 

When asked if he was asked to leave Taiwan on May 15, Basilio replied that he received a letter.

 

“Ang binigay nila sa akin sulat at announcement nila. Doon ay nirequest nila akong bumalik ng Pilipinas para makatulong sa paglutas ng problemang ito,” Basilio said.

 

He said that this is what he is doing and they are coordinating with the Taiwanese government to resolve the issue.

 

Financial compensation

 

At the same time, Basilio said the Philippines is waiting for the right moment to hand over a donation to the family of the slain Taiwanese fisherman.

 

He said that MECO chairman Amadeo Perez Jr. tried to hand over the financial donation to the family upon his arrival in Taiwan on May 15 but Perez wasn't able to get an audience with the family.

 

The financial compensation is one of four demands of Taiwan including an apology from the Philippine government, a bilateral fishing agreement and an impartial investigaion on the incident. — with Andrei Medina/RSJ, GMA News

Pinoy on Saudi death row may soon be free as victim's family waives legal rights

A Filipino languishing on death row in Saudi Arabia since 2000 may be one step closer to freedom after the family of a Saudi national he killed waived all future legal rights against him, a Saudi news site reported Thursday.

 

Rodelio Celestino “Dondon” Lanuza was informed of this via a text message from a government official Wednesday afternoon, Arab News reported.

 

“Peace and mercy upon you, a waiver has been signed by the family for Isa,” Arab News quoted the text message as saying. Lanuza's Muslim name is Isa.

 

However, the Arab News report did not name the official who sent the text message indicating the victim's family had issued a tanazul, or legal waiver.

 

A tanazul effectively waives any further court action against Lanuza, and only a final release order from the Dammam governorate will ensure his freedom.

 

Lanuza, who is being held in Dammam Prison in the Eastern Province, may walk free as early as within a month, the report said.

 

Earlier, the blood money of SR3 million—including SR2.3 million shouldered by the Saudi government—had already been paid to the victim's family.

 

Execution abolished

 

The Arab News report quoted a source in contact with the government official as saying that "if you secure a waiver from the immediate family, the execution is abolished.”

 

“Now that we have the waiver, we have to take this to the governorate’s office (amarah) to finalize his release. That may take less than one month,” the news site's source added.

 

For his part, Philippine Ambassador Ezzedin Tago said they still have to "verify the news with authorities.”

 

High court hearing no longer needed

 

The report also said the waiver from the victim's family effectively nullified the need for a hearing at the Dammam High court before Lanuza could be released.

 

Lanuza had been pardoned by the victim’s family almost three years ago. —KG, GMA News

 

OFWs in Taiwan deny being Pinoys to escape harassment

Tags: Philippine Coast Guard , Taiwan

Labor group urges Taiwanese govt to protect Pinoys in Taiwan. Members of the Partido ng Manggagawa stage a rally in front of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Makati City on Wednesday to urge the Taiwanese government to ensure the safety and job security of thousands of Filipinos in Taiwan.Danny Pata

Some overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in Taiwan have admitted to denying being Filipinos to avoid harassment from Taiwanese residents amid rising tensions between the Philippines and Taiwan.

 

Vincent Baliton, an OFW in Taiwan told GMA News' 24Oras Wednesday that some of his friends have told him they denied being Filipinos when asked by Taiwanese residents.

 

“Namalengke raw sila. Tinanong kung Pilipino sila. Eh sa takot ng kasamahan ko, nag-deny sila na [Pilipino sila]. [Sinabi nila] na Indonesian sila,” Baliton was quoted in Jamie Santos' 24Oras report .

 

 

The ongoing row between the Philippines and Taiwan stemmed from the May 9 incident where a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel allegedly shot and killed a Taiwanese fisherman in disputed waters near Batanes. 

Philippine authorities have claimed that the shooting transpired after a Taiwanese vessel tried to ram their ship.  

 

Baliton's wife, Wilma is worried about him since Baliton goes out every now and then to have dialysis treatment for his kidney.

 

She fears that Vincent may be ganged up by angry Taiwanese like a previous incident where an OFW was mauled by 12 Taiwanese gangsters while walking on the street.

 

But Baliton reassured his wife that he was safe telling her: “Wag siyang mag alala, okay lang ako dito.”

 

For Danilo Taripe, he feared for the safety of his daughter Melanie who has been working in Taiwan for three years as a factory employee.

 

“Kung talagang magulo diyan sa Taiwan, umuwi ka na lang dito,” he told his daughter through the interview.

 

Melanie's daughter, Leila Mae, is also hoping that her mother is safe amid rising tensions in Taiwan. Taripe also called out to the government of Taiwan to not involve innocent OFWs.

 

Tourism affected

 

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), some direct flights from Taipei to the Kalibo International Airport have already been canceled.

 

Flights to the Kalibo airport are usually bound for Boracay, one of the top tourists spots of the Philippines. 

 

But the same TV report said there is a steady flow of tourists from China and South Korea.

 

Cyber crime

 

Meanwhile in Vigan, Ilocos Norte, at least 50 Chinese and Taiwanese tourists were invited by the Bureau of Immigration for the verification of their travel documents.

 

The group was caught for alleged cybersex crime after a raid in the resort where they were staying.

 

The group included 40 Taiwanese and 12 Chinese nationals who voluntarily came with the police but were released and brought to Manila after their lawyer threatened to file a case for illegal detention against the authorities. — Andrei Medina/RSJ, GMA News

Tags: Philippine Coast Guard , Taiwan

Major provisions of US Senate immigration bill

WASHINGTON - The US Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill this week to overhaul the country's immigration system and give millions of unauthorized foreigners a path to citizenship.

 

The legislation aims to achieve three main goals: create a path to legal status and eventual citizenship for an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants, secure US borders against illegal entry and make it easier for businesses to hire workers from abroad when needed.

 

The bill faces a long, difficult road and changes on the Senate floor and in the House of Representatives. The full Senate is expected to start work on the bill in June.

 

Below are major provisions of the complex Senate legislation:

 

BORDER SECURITY
 

• The US border with Mexico will be targeted for increased security. Washington would set a goal of catching or turning back 90 percent of illegal entries.

• $3 billion would be devoted to improving border surveillance and detection, adding law enforcement officers and operating aerial surveillance.

• Another $1.5 billion would be used to improve border fencing.

• Within six years, fingerprinting and other biometric technology that analyze human characteristics would be installed at the 30 busiest US airports to track immigrants when they leave the country.

• If the 90 percent effectiveness rate has not been reached during the first five years after enactment, a new border commission would be created. It would be staffed by the four border-state governors or their appointees and experts appointed by bipartisan leaders of Congress.

• The commission would recommend ways to improve security. Washington would provide another $2 billion to carry out the recommendations.

 

LEGALIZATION OF UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS

 

• Foreigners living in the United States illegally could apply to adjust their status to "registered provisional immigrant (RPI) status" within 180 days after enactment, provided the secretary of Homeland Security submits to Congress a strategy for securing US borders.

• Only those who arrived in the United States before Dec. 31, 2011, could apply and they would have to pay a $500 fee and back taxes. Those convicted of felonies or three or more misdemeanors would not be eligible.

• Immigrants who win RPI status could work for any employer and would be allowed to travel outside the United States.

• RPI status would last for six years and can be renewed. At this point, the immigrants would be re-evaluated to make sure they were not running afoul of the law.

• After 10 years, those with RPI status can adjust to a permanent resident status if they are working regularly and speak English. Permanent residents are among those who under current law may apply for citizenship.

• Two groups would be put on a faster track to permanent resident status: children brought into the United States illegally and certain farm workers. They could get "green cards" in five years. The children would be eligible for citizenship immediately after getting green cards.

 

FUTURE IMMIGRATION

 

• About 40 percent of employment-based visas would be allocated to professionals with advanced degrees to work in the sciences, arts and other professions, including certain people with foreign medical degrees. Those holding graduate degrees in engineering, mathematics, science and technology from US universities also would be included.

• Employment visas for skilled workers and certain professionals would be increased to 40 percent of the total. And a new visa would be created for foreign entrepreneurs who want to start their own companies in the United States.

• The "V visa" would be expanded to help unify families by allowing foreign relatives to live in the United States and for certain other family members to visit the United States for up to 60 days per year.

• Immigrant visas for siblings and adult children of US citizens would be repealed 18 months after the date of enactment.

• A backlog for family and employment-based immigrants would be eliminated.

• A merit-based visa would be created the fifth year after enactment and would award points to individuals based on education, employment, length of residence in the United States and other considerations. There would be 120,000 such visas available annually, with the number rising by 5 percent per year if demand exceeds supply and the US jobless rate is below 8.5 percent. It would be capped at 250,000 visas.

 

OTHER PROVISIONS

 

• Employers would have to use an "E-Verify" system to ensure that they are hiring legal workers. It would be phased in over a five-year period.

• The cap on H-1B temporary visas for high-skilled workers would be raised to 115,000 from a current base limit of 65,000. In future years, the cap could rise to as high as 180,000.

• Companies that have more than 15 percent of their skilled workforce on H-1B work visas would be required to make a good faith effort to recruit Americans before foreigners for a job.

• A new "W-Visa" for low-skilled workers would be created and spouses and minor children of those workers would be allowed to accompany them to the United States. The number of visas would be capped for the first four years at 20,000, 35,000, 55,000 and 75,000, respectively.

• A new government bureau would determine changes to limits on such visas and devise methods for determining domestic labor shortages in regions.

• Wages for low-skilled immigrant workers would be dictated by either the wage paid to other employees with similar experience or based on a prevailing wage level for occupations in geographic regions, whichever is higher.

• Current undocumented farm workers would be able to win legal status if they have made a "substantial prior commitment" to farm work in the United States. A new agricultural guest worker visa program would be created to ensure an adequate workforce. 

 

 —Reuters