Group wants remittances exempt from documentary tax
abs-cbnNEWS.com
An alliance of overseas Filipino workers’ organizations in the Middle East on Sunday urged Congress to fast track the passage of Senate Bill 3255, exempting OFW remittances from documentary stamp tax.
John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, said Malacañang should certify as urgent SB 3255 filed by Sen. Panfilo Lacson.
He said Congress should also pass a bill scrapping the OWWA Omnibus Policies, a codified policies of OWWA implemented during the time of Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas which led to a phaseout of several social and welfare programs and services of OWWA to OFWs and their families.
“We are for the scrapping of the OWWA Omnibus Policies as it not only phased out OWWA’s social and welfare programs but also intended to corner the billions of OFWs membership fees which amount is now P11.7-B held in trust to the government,” he said in a statement.
Monterona said the funds have been misused and misappropriated by the administration’s self-appointed OWWA Board of Trustees.
“Even the sea-based and land-based OFW representatives are appointed by the President. Thus, there is no genuine OFWs representation on the OWWA Board. Hence, misappropriation and misused of OFWs funds is always imminent most especially in time of 2010 elections,” he said.
An alliance of overseas Filipino workers’ organizations in the Middle East on Sunday urged Congress to fast track the passage of Senate Bill 3255, exempting OFW remittances from documentary stamp tax.
John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, said Malacañang should certify as urgent SB 3255 filed by Sen. Panfilo Lacson.
He said Congress should also pass a bill scrapping the OWWA Omnibus Policies, a codified policies of OWWA implemented during the time of Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas which led to a phaseout of several social and welfare programs and services of OWWA to OFWs and their families.
“We are for the scrapping of the OWWA Omnibus Policies as it not only phased out OWWA’s social and welfare programs but also intended to corner the billions of OFWs membership fees which amount is now P11.7-B held in trust to the government,” he said in a statement.
Monterona said the funds have been misused and misappropriated by the administration’s self-appointed OWWA Board of Trustees.
“Even the sea-based and land-based OFW representatives are appointed by the President. Thus, there is no genuine OFWs representation on the OWWA Board. Hence, misappropriation and misused of OFWs funds is always imminent most especially in time of 2010 elections,” he said.
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