KAKAMMPI News

MANILA, Philippines - One out of every two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) last year ignored reports of harsh working conditions abroad but still chose to work in the Middle East. According to a report released by the National Statistics office (NSO) at the weekend, almost half or 46.8% of overseas workers in April-September 2007 were hired in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and other Middle East countries. This is only 1% higher than the 45.8% of OFWs that worked in the Middle East during the same period the previous year. Saudi Arabia was reported to still host the most number of Filipino workers, accounting for 19.8%. In an interview with BusinessWorld, Jeremiah M. Opiniano of The OFW Journalism Consortium, a nongovernment organization that advocates overseas workers welfare, Wednesday said that people still flock to the Middle East to seek greener pasture. - BusinessWorld

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Noli de Castro on Thursday expressed optimism that Filipino worker May Vecina's death sentence may be commuted following an appeal from the Spanish government. In a radio interview, De Castro said based on communication with Spanish officials, the Emir of Kuwait has agreed to commute Vecina's sentence. He, however, noted that the Philippine government has not received confirmation on the sentence commutation from the Kuwaiti government. De Castro said the development stemmed from an informal request made by the King of Spain during a recent visit to Kuwait. "Na-involve ang Spain sa pakikipagusap din. Pumunta ang King of Spain sa Kuwait para makiramay. Nabanggit niya... at inaprubahan ng Emir (Spain got involved in the efforts to save Vecina. The King of Spain went to Kuwait to condole with the emir over the death of former Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Abdullah al-Sabah. He mentioned the matter to Kuwaiti Emir Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah,...

MANILA, Philippines - A Filipino receptionist who got fed up with an irate visitor at a private hospital in Saudi Arabia displayed her karate skills, online news site Arab News reported Sunday. The report cited sketchy details indicating the receptionist and the visitor had a confrontation after the Filipino could no longer stand the visitor's complaining. Police broke up the "fight" and brought the two to the local police station, where the two "made amends." The report did not name the Filipino involved in the incident. - GMANews.TV

MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos were among some 50 foreigners rounded up in late-night operations conducted Tuesday by officials of the passport department in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Online news site Arab News reported Wednesday that the raids were conducted against violators of residence and labor regulations in two working class neighborhoods in Jeddah. Immigration officials carried out the operations in the Nuzlah and Faisaliah districts after midnight as most violators worked at night for fear of detection during daytime. The report said those arrested included those who forged iqamas (residence permits), health cards and other official documents. It said officials arrested Filipino, Syrian and Chadian nationals who were living in the Kingdom legally but were employing or sheltering illegal residents. Housemaids that had run away from their sponsors were among those arrested, the report added. Jeddah officials raided illegally run car workshops, electronic repair shops, CD copying sh...

MANILA, Philippines - A Filipina worker in Saudi Arabia was held hostage, raped and videotaped by her employer and his friends, a Philippine legislator revealed Tuesday. In a statement from Sen. Loren Legarda’s office, the Filipina woman reportedly managed to give her husband a call to inform him of the incident. According to the information given to Legarda, the Filipina was raped by her employer and four of his friends. One even videotaped the act. Legarda’s office refused to name the Filipina but said the victim was an Ifugao from the Quirino province. The Filipina's relatives asked assistance from the Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Antonio Villamor in a letter dated May 21, but Legarda said that the ambassador has yet to give a reply. "The OFW is virtually living like prisoner in her employer's house in Qatif in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, quoting a report from militant workers group Migrante International," read the statement sent to GMANews.TV. A...

MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos were among some 50 foreigners rounded up in late-night operations conducted Tuesday by officials of the passport department in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Online news site Arab News reported Wednesday that the raids were conducted against violators of residence and labor regulations in two working class neighborhoods in Jeddah. Immigration officials carried out the operations in the Nuzlah and Faisaliah districts after midnight as most violators worked at night for fear of detection during daytime. The report said those arrested included those who forged iqamas (residence permits), health cards and other official documents. It said officials arrested Filipino, Syrian and Chadian nationals who were living in the Kingdom legally but were employing or sheltering illegal residents. Housemaids that had run away from their sponsors were among those arrested, the report added. Jeddah officials raided illegally run car workshops, electronic repair shops, CD copying sh...

MANILA, Philippines - This early, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminded Filipinos in Dubai to file their applications for registration as voters and get their certification as overseas absentee voters. Online news site Khaleej Times reported Wednesday that the Comelec issued the reminder through the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai. It said Filipino workers can get file their applications for registration and get their certification as overseas absentee voters From Dec. 1 this year to Aug. 31 next year. Qualified to register as overseas absentee voters are Filipinos residing in the United Arab Emirates, who are not disqualified by law and are at least 18 years of age at the time of the Philippine national elections on May 10, 2010. The Comelec said any question can be directed to the nearest Philippine diplomatic post in the emirates or may be referred to the websites of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Commission on Elections. - GMANews.TV

MANILA, Philippines - From the mountains in the Andes chain to the harsh deserts of Sudan, Filipinos are everywhere, some even languishing in jail. Senate President Manny Villar revealed on Wednesday that there are 4,770 jailed Filipinos in 63 countries as of June 2007. The Senate leader said the figure was included in a 465-page report to Congress submitted by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Of the said figure, Villar said 954 were women. "But the number of women detainees could be higher as some embassies and consulates did not indicate the gender of Filipino nationals in prisons in their area of jurisdiction," Villar said. The report furnished by the Department of Foreign Affairs estimated that of the 7,945,751 overseas Filipinos as of June 2007, some 444,000 were undocumented. Villar renewed his call to increase in the assistance funds to overseas Filipinos in distress. He already filed a bill appropriating P1 billion Assistance to Nationals (ATN) fund that will be use...

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday afternoon said it is still verifying reports that a Filipino crew were on board a hijacked freighter off the coast of Somalia. DFA spokesperson Claro Cristobal told GMANews.TV in a telephone interview that they are still confirming the presence of the Filipinos in the ship. The Associated Press reported that pirates hijacked a Dutch-owned freighter crewed by four Russians and five Filipinos. Spokesman Lars Walder of Reider Shipping BV said that his company has contact with the hijackers and "as far as we know none of the crew has been injured or worse." The ship, the MV Amiya Scan, sails under a Panamanian flag. It departed Kenya on May 19 on its way to Romania and was reported hijacked Monday night. Its cargo was a decommissioned oil platform. Walder said his company, based in the far northern town of Winschoten, Netherlands, would not comment on the pirates' demands out of concern for the safety of...

DUBAI (AFP) -- A rights group has voiced outrage at a Saudi court for failing to punish the employers of an Indonesian housemaid who abused her so much she had to have her toes and fingers amputated. New York-based Human Rights Watch called for an appeals court to "impose stiff penalties on the employers, including imprisonment, and payment of significant financial compensation" to the woman, Nour Miyati. HRW said on Wednesday that Miyati, who was awarded just 670 dollars in compensation by a Riyadh court, told the organisation her "employers beat her daily and that she had to work long hours without rest or pay. "They withheld her passport, knocked out a tooth and caused damage to one of her eyes. The abuse escalated after she tried to escape; her employers locked her in the workplace and denied her adequate food." HRW said Miyati was eventually treated at a Riyadh hospital in March 2005 for "gangrene, malnourishment and other injuries" and that dela...

The maximum penalty for contract-substitution is the revocation of the agency’s business license for overseas recruitment (photo: Wikipedia) MANILA, Philippines - Filipino domestic workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are warned not to cover up for any sponsor who may have committed contract substitution. The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi released this warning after discovering the modus operandi where sponsors have separate arrangements with Filipino domestic helpers through their Manila-based manpower agency. According to a report from online news site Khaleej Times reported Wednesday that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are made to sign a labor contract with the government-approved $400 monthly salary but are secretly offered a lower salary. Labor Attache Nasser Munder told the Khaleej Times that Filipino workers must immediately report such incidents to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to sanction the manpower agency involved. The maximum penalty for...

MANILA, Philippines - The Japanese man suspected of killing a Filipina worker and chopping her body parts in Japan may face up to 30 years in prison for the crime of murder. Hiroshi Nozaki, 48, has been formally charged by Japanese prosecutors on Wednesday for the death of Honiefaith Ratilla Kamiosawa, 22, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. In a text message to GMANews.TV on Thursday, DFA spokesperson Claro Cristobal said Nozaki may get a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison if convicted for the crime. On April 6, Nozaki was arrested by Japanese police at the Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture when he was about to commit suicide by slashing his wrists. According to reports, Nozaki was a roommate of Kamiosawa, who worked as a nightclub hostess in Roppongi, a Japanese district known for its nightclubs and bars. They shared an apartment with the victim’s two cousins. Japanese police are trying to determine whether Nozaki killed Kamiosawa over rent disputes. Nozaki and Kamiosawa wer...

US Rep. Lynn Woolsey (3rd L) of the RP-US Friendship Caucus joins San Francisco Consul and WWII veterans after expressing her support for the Filipino veterans bill in the US Congress File photo: GMANews.TVMANILA, Philippines - The required number of American legislators to pass the much awaited Filipino Veterans Equity Act in the US Congress has been achieved, according to Philippine House Speaker Prospero Nograles. In a text message on Thursday, Nograles said that he was informed by a Philippine official based in the US that there are 74 Republican legislators supporting the bill. "As of this PM (the) total count of Republican supporters of the bill has reached 74 which is way beyond 60 required number," Nograles citing the information given to him. According to Nograles, US Rep. Bob Filner (D-San Diego, CA), chair of the US House Veterans Affairs Committee, will convince Speaker Nancy Pelosi to calendar the bill for plenary approval. "Cong Filner is expected to convin...

Arnold Calbayar (right) talks to Robert Constantino from the Philippine National Bank in Jeddah (Ronaldo Concha)MANILA, Philippines - When Arnold Espiritu Calbayar underwent an operation in 2006 to extricate the tumor inside his head, he became paralyzed from the waist down. For more than a year, the Filipino worker remained bed-ridden inside a Jeddah hospital, missing his loved ones in the town of Castillejos in Zambales. While some employers may opt to abandon their employees to avoid shouldering the medical expenses, Calbayar's boss stuck with him in his time of need. Instead of terminating Calbayar’s contract, Al Ahlia Restaurant Co provided the Filipino a high-tech wheelchair worth 10,000 Riyals and walking tools worth 3,000 Riyals. On top of that, the company shouldered Calbayar’s hospital bills that went up for 250,000 Riyals. "Mr. Arnold Calbayar is a dear employee to us," Asst. Human Resource Manager Khaled Al- Serwy said, "Although he only works for us for ...

MANILA, Philippines - An ongoing legal row will not stop the government from implementing its program to make and issue machine-readable passports, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday. In a statement on its website, the DFA reaffirmed the validity, security and integrity of the machine-readable passports (MRP) now being issued to Filipino nationals. "All of the DFA's actions with respect to the MRP and the e-Passport project are supported by and consistent with pertinent laws, the facts on record, and by official Opinions of the Department of Justice, the Department of Finance and the Department of Trade and Industry," it said. The DFA noted former project company BCA Corp. had questioned the termination of its build-operate-transfer agreement on the machine-readable passports before a Pasig court. But the case was elevated to the Supreme Court after the Pasig court issued an injunction. The high court restrained BCA and the trial court from conducting f...

MANILA, Philippines - Labor officials on Tuesday cautioned Canada-bound Filipino caregivers to read the fine print in their contracts first and make sure their employers meet the requirements. In a statement, labor secretary Marianito Roque said the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) should ensure the prospective employers comply particularly with the requirement to shoulder their medical coverage and two-way transportation. Roque said employers and agencies wanting to hire Filipino caregivers are also prohibited from collecting recruitment fees. Other requirements include that the caregiver could be terminated only for just cause, and that in case of work-related death, the employer is also responsible for the repatriation of remains of the worker. Roque cited reports from Filipino Labor Attache in Toronto Frank Luna who noted agencies targeting Filipino caregivers already abroad fleeced their victims by as much as $7,000 in placement fees. These are in addition to transport and other p...

The Dubai Municipality ordered the crackdown on villas housing more than one family to prevent unhygienic practices and traffic bottlenecks (photo: Wikipedia) MANILA, Philippines - Dubai authorities have launched a crackdown on villas that offer shelter to more than one family, online news site Khaleej times reported Tuesday. Families of expatriate workers, including Filipinos, often resort to living with other families inside a house to cut on the cost of lodging in the oil-rich state. The Dubai Municipality’s Building Inspection Department has warned residents of villas with more than one family that their water and electricity supply would be cut off immediately. According to the report, the practice has become a lucrative business for many landlords in Dubai as well as original tenants who decided to partition the villas into one-bedroom units and open it up for rent. The Municipality had earlier issued a ban on bachelors and single women sharing the same villas. Omar Mohammed Abdu...

Leaders of Filipino groups on Saipan listen to CNMI officials explain in an open forum the impact on foreign workers of the new CNMI labor reform law. File photo: Haidee V. EugenioSAN ANTONIO, Saipan – Almost half or 31 of the 64 listed ‘overstayers’ in the US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) are Filipinos, based on a list published by the CNMI Department of Labor on Monday. The CNMI is currently home to some 19,000 documented foreign workers mostly Filipinos, and the rest are from other Asian countries that include China and Bangladesh. CNMI Labor said the 64 foreign nationals on the list “have overstayed the permission granted to them upon their entry into the CNMI," according to records maintained by the government with respect to permits expiring or administrative actions taken during the first quarter of 2008. “Persons in an overstayer status are required to depart the Commonwealth immediately," CNMI Labor said. But Human Dignity Movement president Jer...

MANILA, Philippines - After June 1, the Australian government can no longer guarantee swift decisions for visa applications for the upcoming World Youth Day this July. In a statement on its website, the Australian Embassy reminded delegates to the World Youth Day to apply for a visa, a requirement for entering Australia. "The Australian Government cannot guarantee applications lodged after 1 June 2008 will be decided in time for applicants to travel to Australia," it said. World Youth Day 2008 will be held July 15 to 20 in Sydney, Australia. It is said to be the largest international youth event this year. It will also mark the first visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Australia, with various events planned for visiting pilgrims. "All international WYD participants will need a visa to enter Australia for the event," Australia said. The Australian government earlier agreed that visas for WYD pilgrims will be free of government charges, and will allow a standard stay of thr...

MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Pro Tempore Jose "Jinggoy" Ejercito Estrada on Wednesday urged the government to intensify its campaign against illegal recruiters involved in trafficking of Filipino women particularly those bound for Singapore. This, after Estrada received a report from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) indicating an increase of human trafficking to Singapore from 125 cases in 2006 to 212 cases in 2007. In a statement, Estrada, who chairs the Senate labor committee, lamented that the worsening poverty in the country has forced unemployed workers to seek employment abroad and become victims of human trafficking syndicates. "Poverty is worsening in the country and more unemployed workers are taking the risk to get work in other countries," Estrada said. "And international syndicates have been preying on desperate workers who are trying to get employment abroad." Estrada, who is also concurrent chairman of the Joint Congressional...

LANCE CARDOZO DWYER, Philippine News The iconic rainbow or gay flag has been a symbol of tolerance and diversity especially for the LGBT community (photo: wikipedia)SAN FRANCISCO — For Elaine Kamlley, a 25-year-old queer Filipina, the same-sex marriage ruling in the US was exciting news, but was just one victory towards a greater goal of equality. "As much as I feel we should have the right to marry I do believe the queer community has more important agendas to work towards," she said. Kamlley cited violence towards LGBT (lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender) community and a high suicide rate for LGBT youth as some of the issues were deemed more pressing than same-sex marriage. "I do feel like it’s going to help normalize queer relationships in terms of legitimizing us as parents and couples in general. But I don’t think it will happen for a long time. I still think it’ll be a controversial issue for 10-20 years but it’s a jumping off point," said Kamlley. May 15, 2008 ...

MANILA, Philippines - With only one week to go before the May 30th deadline, only 600Catholic youths will get their Australian visas to go to Sydney for the World Youth Day (WYD) this July. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said in a statement Wednesday that this may lead to a relatively low turnout. It said the granted visas already include those granted to 56 delegates representing the Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) of the CBCP. "The statistics provided by the Embassy is considerably low, considering that the deadline is fast approaching," said Fr. Conegundo Garganta, executive secretary of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission for the Youth. While visa application for WYD pilgrims is free of charge, the low figure was attributed primarily to the financial requirement the entire WYD registration entails. Garganta said an individual pilgrim vying to fly to Sydney, Australia this July to be part of the 23rd WYD needs at least US $1,800 to cover his expens...

MANILA, Philippines - Two Filipino health workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are facing trial for their participation in an unsuccessful liposuction which caused the death of an Emirati woman. Online news site Gulf News identified Wednesday the identity of the Filipino workers only with the initials of their names. "R.M.", 38-year-old Filipino healthcare technician, and 33-year-old Filipina nurse, "N.C." were both charged with unlawfully practicing medicine, said the report. In an interview with Gulf News, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Ali Saeed Khalaf said that the 27-year-old Emirati woman was operated on by "unskilled and unspecialized people." According to Khalaf, shortly after the surgery begun, the anesthesia doctor left the hospital for "a personal matter" followed shortly by the plastic surgeon. The surgeon allegedly said the operation had "tired" him. Dubai's Public Prosecution charged a 61-year-old British plastic surge...

MANILA, Philippines - A militant overseas Filipino worker’s (OFW) group on Thursday threw its support behind a Catholic bishop's call for family ministries catering to the needs of OFWs and their families. Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said they welcome church-led social mechanisms for pastoral care and empowerment for OFWs. "We are thankful to (Cotabato) Archbishop (Orlando) Quevedo, who in his capacity us our beloved archbishop and as a concerned citizen like us, has outlined his response to the issue of OFW family disintegration, realizing the social costs of forced migration. Overseas migration has led to the break-up of some families," Monterona said in a statement on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website. Quevedo had recommended to the Vatican the setting up of a family ministry in every local church that "cares and serves," "forms and empowers." The bishop sought to start a ministry that bu...

MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Saturday reiterated the government's commitment to save overseas Filipino worker May Vecina, who faces the death penalty in Kuwait, following the recent visit there by vice president Manuel "Noli" de Castro Jr. A Malacañang statement said Mrs Arroyo recalled her assurance last April 2 that her administration was already holding talks with the government of Kuwait to save Vecina, 28. "As much as we can, we will extend legal and consular assistance to our OFWs who are in trouble," she said. Earlier, the Kuwaiti Supreme Court upheld Vecina's death penalty for killing her employer's youngest son in January 2007. De Castro had brought to Kuwait the Philippine government's condolences over the death of former Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Abdullah al-Sabah. But de Castro also said he "gained the attention of Kuwaiti Emir Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah on the case of May Vecina while he was in the M...

SAN ANTONIO, Saipan - Filipino workers and other foreign laborers in the US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) are now required to notify the local Department of Labor about their vacation. The new policy is required among all guest workers, including those who have work permits in their possession. Members of the guest worker community, however, lashed at CNMI Labor for not making enough information campaign about the new policy before implementing it on Monday. Irene Tantiado, president of the Coalition of United Workers (NMI), told GMANews.TV that vacationing guest workers will comply with the emergency regulation “but because of the seriousness of the consequence for non-compliance, I hope they can make proper public announcement." Tantiado said she received information that a Filipino nurse was not allowed to enter Saipan because the nurse failed to notify Labor about her exit. Filipino workers who went on vacation before the CNMI Department of Labor implemen...

MANILA, Philippines - A senior Catholic bishop pushed over the weekend for more relevant ministries to families of migrant workers in a bid to prevent their breakup. Cotabato Archbishop and Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences secretary general Orlando Quevedo also pushed for more regular meetings at the Vatican level to address migrants' concerns. "The pastoral response I wish to present may be summarized in the following way: In the light of the universal mission of the Church to announce the Gospel of Jesus, relevant family ministry should be set up in every local church with the task of building communion and solidarity among members of families, among families and local churches. Such ministry should have a perspective of the Reign of God," Quevedo said in a recommendation to the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers dated May 15 but posted on his Web log Saturday night. "It should respond to the needs of families in special situations, such as the fa...

Countries with existing OFW Deployment Ban The Department of Foreign Affairs has ordered the stoppage of sending overseas Filipino workers to the following countries due to hostilities and conflicts: *Afghanistan A total ban on the deployment of Filipino workers in Afghanistan took effect only in 2007. *Iraq OFWs were prohibited from going to Iraq in 2004 after a series of suicide bomb attacks and abduction of foreigners followed the US-led war. *Jordan Reports of widespread abuse to Filipino workers prompted the government to ban deployment here on Jan 2008. *Lebanon Following the Israel-Lebanon conflict, Filipino workers were not allowed to enter this conflict-ridden country on June 2007. *Nigeria Deployment ban in this country was implemented on Dec. 2007. Several OFWs have protested the imposition of the deployment ban on these countries. Reports claim that some workers resort to illegal papers to enter these conflict areas. - GMANews.TVMANILA, Philippines - There were no Filipino ...

The body of Vicenta Flores was found floating off the waters of Tung Chung on Lantau Island in Hong Kong wearing only pajamas Dennis Y.C. Wong, Wikipedia MANILA, Philippines - The sister of Filipina domestic helper Vicenta 'Vicky' Flores whose mysterious death early last month sparked off a series of protests, is calling on the police to investigate further the missing links in the case, instead of hinting at some vague cult links. Irene F. Reguis, herself a former domestic helper in Hong Kong, said that what the police should find an explanation for was how Vicky's body was found in Tung Chung on Apr. 11, or four days after she had reportedly fled her employer's house in Discovery Bay (DB). In particular, Reguis wants to know who could have driven her sister to Tung Chung, which can be reached only by going through the Discovery Bay tunnel or walking though a mountainous terrain. She is also puzzled as to why the body was still found in Tung Chung waters when Vicky was...

MANILA, Philippines -An Italian foundation and the Italian ministry of finance have launched a project to extend medical assistance to some 1,500 Filipino children suffering from tuberculosis (TB). The Foreign Affairs Department said Philippine Ambassador to Italy Philippe Lhuillier was the guest of honor and speaker at the launching of the L'Otto Per Amore (The Fight for Love). In a statement Friday night, the DFA said the joint project was launched May 8, and includes the Fondazione Raphael Onlus and the Guardia di Finanzia (the Military Corps of the Italian Ministry of Finance). "The project aims to extend medical assistance to around 1,500 Tuberculosis (TB)-afflicted Filipino children living in Payatas, Quezon City," it said. Lhuillier cited statistics indicating TB is the sixth greatest cause of morbidity and mortality in the Philippines. He said the Philippines is ranked ninth in the world to have the highest rate of TB. Also, he expressed heartfelt appreciation to ...

Employers from all emirates of the UAE are forced to lay off highly-skilled but costly Filipino workers or go into sub-contracting (photo: Wikipedia) MANILA, Philippines - Filipino entrepreneurs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are forced to go into sub-contracting as a trade-off to the rising cost of hiring highly-skilled workers from the Philippines, a business leader said. Online news site Khaleej Times reported that air-fare costs, labor guarantees, immigration fees and other incidental expenses like transportation and lodging has prevented other employers from getting highly-skilled Filipino workers. "Four years ago, hiring skillful workers required only around Dh10,000 and even less," Jose Tuano, Chairman of Philippine Business Council in Abu Dhabi told the Khaleej Times in an interview. According to Tuano, a sponsor would usually spend between Dh 12,000 to Dh 15,000 for a highly-skilled Filipino worker’s plane ticket and other labor fees to the small oil-rich state. R...

MANILA, Philippines - A long-time Filipino domestic helper and an insurance agent in Hong Kong have both pleaded guilty to lending money to fellow workers at an exorbitant interest rate of 180 percent. Marlene M. Rosete, 36, and Wong Si Man, 52, both entered their guilty pleas before Principal Magistrate Garry Tallentire at the Eastern Court on May 9. Eighteen charges of lending money at an excessive interest rate were originally filed against the two defendants but six were withdrawn after prosecution offered no evidence to support them, including one where the money lent was allegedly for a whopping interest rate of 252.63 percent. Rosete, who had worked as a domestic helper in HK for over eight years, pleaded guilty to seven counts of lending money at a 180 percent interest rate, three times the legal limit of 60 percent per annum. Wong, who worked for an insurance company that sold an endowment policy for foreign domestic helpers, admitted four counts of the same charge. The two, w...

MANILA, Philippines - The warning issued by the Philippines Embassy in South Korea against illegal match-making agencies has reached Malacañang. The warning - which was forwarded on May 15 from Seoul - had Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Luis Cruz reminding Filipinos about agencies “that act as a front for mail-order brides." Cruz reiterated his warning “amidst reports that the South Korean government is also set to crack down on interracial matchmaking agencies that violate local laws and use deceptive advertising." The warning said: “The Philippine Embassy reminds the public of Philippine Republic Act 6955, or the Anti-Mail-Order Bride Law, which makes it illegal for any ‘person, natural or juridical, association, club or any other entity’ to ‘establish or carry on a business which has for its purpose the matching of Filipino women for marriage to foreign nationals either on a mail-order basis or through personal introduction.’ “The law also makes it illegal for anyone...

MANILA, Philippines- Despite an ongoing crunch in the United States economy, remittances from Filipinos overseas grew to a new record high in March 2008, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Thursday. In a statement, the central bank said earnings sent home by OFs coursed through banks climbed 9.4 percent year-on-year to $1.4 billion in March 2008, the highest monthly level recorded thus far. The March 2008 inflows brought the first quarter level of remittances to $4.0 billion, higher by 13.2 percent than the year-ago level of $3.5 billion. The BSP said bulk of the remittances that flowed into the country in March came from the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. "Remittances during the first three months of 2008 reflected the rising number of Filipino workers abroad, the shifts in skill composition as well as the growing efficiency of banks and other financial institutions as remittance channel...

The fishermen were on board their fishing vessel F/V Princess Mayanne when they were apprehended off the coast of Kudat, Sabah (photo: Wikipedia)MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday confirmed that 24 Filipino fishermen were arrested by authorities in Sabah, Malaysia last month for illegal fishing. In a press statement, DFA said the fishermen were on board their fishing vessel F/V Princess Mayanne when they were apprehended off the coast of Kudat, Sabah for allegedly encroaching into and illegally fishing in Malaysian territorial waters in April. Without saying the exact date of the arrest, the DFA said the hearing on the case is scheduled on June 4. The DFA said the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur will send an official to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah to attend the hearing on the case. The DFA said the RP embassy in Kuala Lumpur is coordinating with the Malaysian authorities for the expeditious action on the case so the arrested Filipino fishermen can rej...

MANILA, Philippines - While a flying bullet could most likely land you in a hospital bed, wearing a live one around your neck would mean sound lashing and imprisonment in Brunei. An unnamed Filipino was arrested and detained in Brunei Darussalam last week for wearing an amulet that was made from a bullet, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday. The Filipino traveler was reported to be on transit through Bandar Seri Begawan, the country's capital, enroute to Saudi Arabia when he was arrested last May 8. "Possession of bullets and other ammunitions is punishable with imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than fifteen years, and lashes with not fewer than 3 strokes and not more than 12 strokes," said the DFA in a statement. Filipinos traveling to Brunei are advised not to carry amulets or charms made from bullets, as possession of such is a serious offense and in violation of the Arms and Explosives Act of that country. Meanwhile, th...

Philippines - Despite the existing deployment ban to Lebanon, a Middle East-based migrant workers group is asking how 5,000 additional Filipinos could have entered the war-torn country. A statement earlier this week said that after the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, about 5,000 Filipino workers have “returned" to Lebanon despite the deployment ban issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). "Like in Iraq, despite deployment ban imposed by the Arroyo administration, we are wondering why there are still a considerable numbers of OFWs that have been sent to work as domestic helpers in Lebanon where a civil war is now escalating," said Migrante Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona. According to the statement issued by Joseph Assad, honorary consul of Lebanon to the Philippines and Abdul Kader Al Jadid, president of the Filipino-Lebanese Friendship Association, Hezbollah gunmen seized control of several West Beirut neighborhoods from Sunni foes loyal ...

The Department of Foreign Affairs has ordered the stoppage of sending overseas Filipino workers to the following countries due to hostilities and conflicts: *Afghanistan A total ban on the deployment of Filipino workers in Afghanistan took effect only in 2007. *Iraq OFWs were prohibited from going to Iraq in 2004 after a series of suicide bomb attacks and abduction of foreigners followed the US-led war. *Jordan Reports of widespread abuse to Filipino workers prompted the government to ban deployment here on Jan 2008. *Lebanon Following the Israel-Lebanon conflict, Filipino workers were not allowed to enter this conflict-ridden country on June 2007. *Nigeria Deployment ban in this country was implemented on Dec. 2007. Several OFWs have protested the imposition of the deployment ban on these countries. Reports claim that some workers resort to illegal papers to enter these conflict areas. - GMANews.TV

MANILA, Philippines - Workers who are 60 years old and above can avail of temporary work permits in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) without paying the Dh5,000 'exception fees', online news site Khaleej Times reported Thursday. Khalil Khoury, Director of the Work Permit Department at the Ministry of Labour (MoL) told the Khaleej Times on Wednesday that the rule applies for experts or professionals who can come to the UAE to work on temporary work permits for three months. The permit is only renewable once. "After that, the expert can leave the country (even for a night) and come back again on a new temporary work permit," Khoury said. The work permit is issued in the UAE to ensure that employers pay their employees on time, provide accomodation, give periodical health insurance (90 days) as well as air tickets to leave the country after the contract ends. "The fee for this permit is Dh500, and the same amount is to be paid for renewing the work permit for another t...

SAN VICENTE, Saipan – The body of a Filipino contract worker who was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Saipan Island last May 4 was repatriated to the Philippines Thursday morning, but nobody has so far been arrested in connection with his death. Grande Nonan, 41, suffered head trauma and extensive lacerations in his upper and lower body when he was hit by a sport utility vehicle past 3 a.m. on May 4. Filipino workers who held a vigil in support of a new law signed by President Bush putting the CNMI immigration under federal control also called for justice for Nonan. “Justice for Grandy Nonan" read one of the red banners held by the guest workers. Police have yet to arrest a suspect in the case. A group called Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone with information leading to the arrest of a suspect. The last of a 10-night Rosary and Holy Mass were held on Wednesday night for Nonan by the Teregeyo family members who became his friends and employer for 12 y...

LOS ANGELES — A community leader faces possible jail term after pleading no contest this week to a felony charge of filing a false financial statement in an alleged misuse of more than $200,000 of city funds at a multi-cultural senior center in San Jose. Ben Menor, 57, former head of Northside Community Center, entered the plea before Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Ray Cunningham. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24, and faces three years in jail or three years probation. Two grand theft felony charges against Menor were dismissed after he agreed to pay restitution totaling $51,000 to the city. He had faced a maximum of four years, four months in prison if he were convicted on all charges. A 'no contest' is a plea in criminal trials where the defendant neither admits nor disputes a charge, serving as an alternative to a pleading of guilty or not guilty. While it is not technically a guilty plea, it has the same immediate effect as a guilty plea, and is often off...

MANILA, Philippines - A Philippine Embassy official to South Korea on Thursday renewed his warning to Filipinos who look for Korean partners through match-making or mail-order bride. In a press statement, Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Luis T. Cruz reiterated his precaution amidst reports that the government of South Korean is set to crack down on interracial matchmaking agencies that violate local laws and use deceptive advertising. The Embassy official reminded the public of Philippine Republic Act 6955 or the Anti-Mail-Order Bride Law, which makes it illegal for a "person, natural or juridical, association, club or any other entity" to "establish or carry on a business which has for its purpose the matching of Filipino women for marriage to foreign nationals either on a mail-order basis or through personal introduction." The law also makes it illegal for anyone "to advertise, publish, print or distribute or cause the advertisement, publication, printin...

MANILA, Philippines - A Philippine Embassy official to South Korea on Thursday renewed his warning to Filipinos who look for Korean partners through match-making or mail-order bride. In a press statement, Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Luis T. Cruz reiterated his precaution amidst reports that the government of South Korean is set to crack down on interracial matchmaking agencies that violate local laws and use deceptive advertising. The Embassy official reminded the public of Philippine Republic Act 6955 or the Anti-Mail-Order Bride Law, which makes it illegal for a "person, natural or juridical, association, club or any other entity" to "establish or carry on a business which has for its purpose the matching of Filipino women for marriage to foreign nationals either on a mail-order basis or through personal introduction." The law also makes it illegal for anyone "to advertise, publish, print or distribute or cause the advertisement, publication, printin...

MANILA, Philippines - About 25,000 Filipino domestic helpers in Lebanon were advised by Philippine officials there to remain inside their homes, keep off the streets and follow their employers to safer grounds when needed. Joseph Assad, honorary consul of Lebanon to the Philippines and Abdul Kader Al Jadid, president of the Filipino-Lebanese Friendship Association issued the advisory after assessing the situation in Beirut, the country’s capital. According to the statement issued by the two officials, Hezbollah gunmen seized control of several West Beirut neighborhoods from Sunni foes loyal to the US-backed government on Friday as sectarian clashes reminiscent of Lebanon's bloody 15-year civil war raged in the capital. At least 11 people were killed and over 20 were hurt in three days of street battles and gunfights in Beirut, according to the same statement. “Our Filipinos are safe in the households and as long as they follow instructions from their employers, OFWs [overseas Filip...