Bello on critics of new OFW ID: Mga sumasakay lang

By RIE TAKUMI, GMA News
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Thursday shrugged off criticisms on the newly issued OFW ID that has President Rodrigo Duterte's face on it, saying  they did not come from migrant workers.
In an interview, Bello said the OFWs' response to the new ID is "favorable" and that they are even thankful for it.
"Puro favorable. Nagpapasalamat nga sila. May lumalabas na negative reaction pero hindi naman OFW. Ito yung mga sumasakay lang at gustong sirain ang project na ito," he said.
Among the critics of the ID is Bishop Ruperto Santos, who chairs the Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
According to Santos, instead of Duterte's face, the ID should instead bear only the picture of its owner as putting the president's picture on it could lead to politicking.
To this Bello said, "Ang CBCP raw ay may negative reaction sa profile ng ating Pangulo. Ano bang gusto nilang ilagay, si Pope Francis?"
Labor Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said Duterte's photo was placed facing the picture of the ID bearer to signify the president's respect toward the OFWs.
"Itong salute position, nag-manifest 'yung pagkilala ng ating pangulo sa tunay na pagiging bayani ng ating OFWs," he said.
When informed that Duterte did not approve of the design, Olalia said OFW feedback will determine the final design of the ID.
Labor Undersecretary Dominador Say said they will continue to distribute the OFW ID to OFWs, but noted that they will continue to review the "aesthetics" of the card.
"The ID will continue to evolve, yung kanyang itsura," he said
"Kinikilala nila. Kung meron mang nag-complain, 'wag kayong maniwala kasi ilan lang ang lumabas [na ID]," Olalia said. "Yung mga binigyan namin ng ID na umuwi, hindi pa naman sila umaalis, so hindi pa nila nagagamit ito." —KBK, GMA News

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