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OFW News
Aquino’s challenge: Filipinos on death row in China, elsewhere
Three Filipinos were saved from certain death after the Chinese government postponed their execution on drug trafficking charges but more needs to be done by the Philippine government. Yes, more and much more. According to Migrante International, an alliance of overseas Filipino workers, 125 other Filipinos face the death penalty in a number of countries […]
MoreNew consular fees at US Embassy in Manila starting July 13, 2010
The United States Embassy in Manila today announced a new consular fee schedule which will be effective starting July 13, 2010. The new fee schedule includes substantial increases in certain visa application fees and consular services to US and non-US citizens. The embassy said the new fee schedule is based on an order from the […]
MoreBayanihan abroad: OFWs send relief aid to the Philippines
The ubiquitous balikbayan boxes today bear not the usual “padala” but relief aid. That’s because Filipino organizations worldwide immediately stepped up to the challenge of gathering much-needed relief aid to victims of the two typhoons in the country. And their efforts continue.
MoreThree Filipinos quarantined in Hong Kong over swine flu
The Department of Foreign Affairs announced today that three Filipinos were quarantined at a Hong Kong hotel, the same hotel where a swine flu-infected Mexican checked in recently. I hope our thousands of Filipino workers there take extra precautions. Here is the full press release from the DFA: The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong […]
MorePhilippines stops short of banning travel to swine flu-ridden Mexico
Stopping short of banning travel to Mexico, the Department of Foreign Affairs today asked Filipinos going to Mexico “to avoid large crowds, shaking hands, kissing people as a greeting, and using the subway” citing the swine flu outbreak in the country. The DFA also announced that government will be closely monitoring arrivals from the US […]
MoreFilipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong react to Chip Tsao’s apology
Some say there’s overreaction but what’s the take of domestic helpers in Hong Kong themselves regarding the Chip Tsao incident? Here’s a sampler — a press release of the largest Filipino organization in Hong Kong regarding the apology from the controversial columnist: While we recognize the public apology of Mr. Chip Tsao, he must stop […]
MoreAmericans ask US Congress to stop US aid from being used for political killings in RP
More than 200 leaders of faith-based groups, unions and labor rights advocates, Filipino-American organizations and academics have written the US Congress to protest human rights abuses in the Philippines and the misuse of US foreign military assistance. Among the signatories to the letter, which was sent to every member of the US Congress, were:
MoreInternational Assembly of Migrants and Refugees and some questions for bloggers
Migrants, including our OFWs, won’t be joining state governments and big business in their second Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD). They will usher in their own conference, the International Assembly of Migrants and Refugees (IAMR) and they cite good reasons in choosing to do so.
MoreTomorrow’s headlines: SC’s MOA ruling and beheaded OFW
We can already imagine the headlines of tomorrow’s papers by this time.
MoreObama beats McCain among Fil-Ams, Asian Americans — survey
Less than a month before the US presidential elections, Barack Obama is trouncing John McCain among Asian-Americans, including Filipino migrants and others with Filipino ancestry.
More‘Harry and Paul’ racist slur endangers overseas Filipino workers — Migrante Int’l
After hearing from plenty of voices, let’s now hear it from OFWs themselves how they view the “Harry and Paul” incident. Published here in full is the official Migrante International press release issued some minutes ago: Sexual abuses, exploitation of Filipino domestic helpers could intensify because of BBC show’s racist depiction of Filipina maid Migrante […]
MorePhilippines reacts to furor over racist BBC skit
As expected, the Philippine government rushed to save the reputation of our country’s overseas Filipino workers after news broke out about the racist, anti-Filipino comedy skit on BBC. High officials (and cause-oriented groups) made the following reactions and statements:
MoreBritish comedy ‘Harry and Paul’ show dishes out racist skit vs. Filipinos
Had the British comedians poked fun instead on President Arroyo, nobody would have cared or — I suspect — Filipinos themselves would have given them ringing applause. But the “Harry and Paul” show dissed our decent, hardworking domestic helpers. The BBC must apologize to all Filipinos, especially the thousands who the Brits have recruited as […]
MoreFormer RP envoy charged in the US
Kudos to writer Ninotchka Rosca for her banner story in today’s Inquirer titled “RP envoy charged in US”. From Stuff
MoreMALAYA: ‘Will you entrust your money to the thieves?’
By ANTHONY IAN CRUZ Malaya March 31, 2008 PRO-DEMOCRACY groups in Hong Kong yesterday warned investors that “corruption and murders taint their investments in the Philippines” and made true their vow to shame President Arroyo, calling her a “plunderer” and a “murderer” right outside the Conrad Hotel, venue of the 11th Credit Suisse Asia Investment […]
MoreMALAYA: Pinay makes historic run for Korean legislature
By ANTHONY IAN CRUZ Malaya March 29, 2008 A FILIPINA has put herself in South Korea’s history books for being the first foreign-born citizen to run for a seat in the country’s National Assembly. Ambassador Luis Cruz reported that Judith A. Hernandez is the first candidate without Korean lineage to run for the Philippine equivalent […]
MoreMALAYA: Migrante hits DFA, OWWA response to stranded OFWs problem
By ANTHONY IAN CRUZ Malaya March 28, 2008 OVERSEAS Filipino workers’ advocate Migrante International on Thursday assailed the “obvious lack of coordination” between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration after the agencies put out conflicting reports on the actual number of OFWs stranded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia who are set […]
MoreMALAYA: Arroyo off to Hong Kong tomorrow
By REGINA BENGCO Malaya March 28, 2008 PRESIDENT Arroyo is leaving for Hong Kong on Sunday to attend the Asian Investment Conference and meet with the Filipino community. Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Arroyo and her delegation will be back on Tuesday. Bunye said the President will meet the Filipino community Sunday evening to tell […]
MoreMALAYA: RP diplomats in Japan ill-equipped to help distressed OFWs — Migrante
By ANTHONY IAN CRUZ Malaya March 26, 2008 MIGRANTE International on Tuesday claimed the Philippine diplomatic mission to Japan is ill-equipped to handle OFW welfare issues, including the recent murder of Cristina Mahusay Lopez-Nagano and her seven-month old son Naomasa Nagano. Cristina’s husband Masayushi Nagano is now in police custody after surrendering and admitting to […]
MorePinays lead anti-war protests in US
Filipinas belonging to Gabriela Network and the Mariposa Alliance led broad, anti-war mass actions in Los Angeles and New York last Saturday, March 8:
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