KAKAMMPI News

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines joined calls for the United Nations General Assembly to endorse a comprehensive action framework to deal with the global food and energy crisis. A statement in the mission’s website quoted Philippine representative Hilario Davide Jr. saying the General Assembly can make a world of difference in this crisis. "By endorsing this Comprehensive Framework for Action and implementing the proposals contained therein, the General Assembly, as the largest legislative body in the world, will be able to provide a coherent and coordinated response to the immediate needs of the many millions adversely affected by high food and energy prices," Davide said at the Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on the Global Food and Energy Crisis held last Friday. More importantly, the General Assembly will lay the foundation for continued stable and rational markets in the food and energy sectors, he added. Excerpts of his statements were posted Tuesday (Manila...

PUERTO RICO, Saipan – Former and current Filipino garment workers in Saipan are getting their share of the final $1.6 million in settlement agreement funds in connection with a class action against the garment industry over mistreatment of Asian workers. The $1.6 million involves 12,384 checks amounting to $145 each, according to Garment Oversight Board (GOB) chair Timothy Bellas. GOB is an independent monitoring body born out of the historic $20 million settlement agreement aimed at protecting Saipan garment workers and compensating former and current workers who are part of the lawsuit. Saipan’s once mighty garment industry employed thousands of workers from the Philippines, China, Thailand, Bangladesh and other countries. In 1999, separate lawsuits were filed against Saipan garment manufacturers and high-profile US clothing manufacturers and retailers such as The Gap, Liz Claiborne, Calvin Klein, Sears, Tom Hilfiger, J.C. Penney, The Limited, May Company and Abercrombie & Fitch....

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Kuwait's court of appeals upheld the death sentence of a Filipino housemaid convicted of murdering her employer's daughter, reports said on Tuesday. The Kuwaiti newspaper Arab Times said Jakatia Mandon Pawa was found guilty of killing the 20-year old woman at a suburb in Mubarak Al-Kabeer, one of the governorates of Kuwait. It said the Kuwaiti Court of Appeals Judge Mohammed Bu Slaib upheld the verdict of a lower court. Death sentences in Kuwait are carried out by hanging. The 31-year old Filipino maid is a native of Zamboanga del Norte province in Mindanao Island. "In a previous session, Jakatia's lawyer argued his client had no criminal intent as there is no evidence proving that she intentionally killed the victim. He then requested the court to acquit his client, refer to a committee from the Psychiatric Hospital to check on her mental status or, at least, show maximum leniency towards Jakatia," the Arab Times reported. It said Ja...

MANILA, Philippines — A Manila court on Tuesday slapped two long prison sentences on the president of a recruitment agency whom it found guilty of illegal job recruitment and fraud. Judge Amor A. Reyes of Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 40 sentenced Ma. Isabel Abedes, 51, president of Justin Manpower Services, to reclusion perpetua or a maximum of 40 years imprisonment for illegal recruitment. The judge slapped an additional 20 years in prison on Abedes for five counts of estafa. In her ruling, Reyes said she found Abedes guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of illegal recruitment for gypping five job applicants whom she promised jobs in the United Kingdom in 2003. In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered Abedes to indemnify each of the complainants P60,000 or a total of P300,000. The judge issued new warrants of arrest for Abedes' co-accused - Amilo D. Pabon, Leah Jensen and Fatima B. Garcia- who have remained at large. The case stemmed from complaints filed...

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is undergoing talks with Indonesia and Palau to settle the issue on sea border delineation and reach a treaty by the end of the year. A report from Marianas Variety on Monday quoted Palau’s Marine Law Enforcement Chief Ellender Ngirameketii as saying that the negotiations among the three countries were being pushed by Palau Ambassador to the Philippines Ramon Rechebei. The Office of the President of Palau and Minister of State Temmy Shmull are also involved in the talks, according to the report. In another report, the Pacific Magazine quoted Ngirameketii as saying that the talks would address Palau’s problem in going after illegal ships sailing in the waters of the island-nation. “With the present situation, we have a difficult time in chasing vessels because we might inadvertently enter either Philippine or Indonesia waters," said Ngirameketii in an interview with Pacific Magazine. The talks to resolve the matter have been going on for three ...

There are countless stories of physical, emotional abuse and maltreatment overseas Filipino workers suffer at the very hands of their employers, and only a few stories about how they have become an inspiration to many, especially to their bosses. In this story, however, an Israeli employer sings praises for his Filipino caregiver. For employer Efi Rimon, Nick Esplana became not only his efficient Filipino caregiver for nine years, but also a trusted friend. In an article written by London-born Jerusalem translator David Herman titled "I Love You, Nick" published by the Jerusalem Post on July 15, 2008, he recounted the touching story of Efi and his caregiver, Nick. Herman said Nick provided his employer not only the utmost care, but also gave meaning to his life. According to Herman, Efi had been "totally handicapped from birth and required a lot of attention." The wheelchair-bound employer recalled that Nick helped him "flourish" in many ways. "He bec...

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced the resumption of the continuing registration of qualified overseas absentee voters for purposes of the May 10, 2010 national elections. All overseas Filipinos who intend to vote in the coming presidential polls are enjoined to sign up or update their registration with the COMELEC from December 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009. Center for Migrant Advocacy Executive Director and convenor of the International Coalition for Overseas Filipino Voting Rights Ellene Sana said this was contained in COMELEC resolution 8458 promulgated on May 20, 2008. Sana, who has been at the forefront of the battle for the empowerment of overseas Filipinos, said this registration period is an opportunity for the COMELEC to clean up the voters lists, which are outdated. She explained that many of the overseas Filipinos (OFs) who originally registered to vote have since returned to the Philippines or have transferred residence or moved to another job in another country....