OFW advocates step up opposition to Pichay’s appointment as OWWA head

MANILA, Philippines — Advocates of migrant workers’ rights urged the overseas Filipino community to join hands in opposing the possible appointment of former congressman Prospero Pichay as head of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). In a press statement, the V-Team and its affiliates, Pusong Mamon Task Force (PMTF) and OFW-SOS / Patnubay.com, said the community need to speak as one to protect their rights and to protect the welfare fund for overseas workers. “To our fellow migrant workers, let us all be vigilant in protecting the OWWA funds from misuse. Let us assert our right to participate in the appointment of the next OWWA administrator. Let us insist on transparency, integrity, and credibility in this exercise," said the statement signed by Ronnie Abeto for PMTF and Joseph Espiritu for OFW-SOS / Patnubay.com, The statement said one cannot avoid speculating that Pichay’s appointment to the OWWA’s helm is related to the 2010 election. “Mr. Pichay is not hiding his senatorial ambitions for the 2010 elections, and the OWWA may as well be his reward for unbridled loyalty to the most unpopular president since 1986," said the statement circulated via e-mail. The statement was dated July 31, 2008, but Ronnie Abeto of the V-Team - Pusong Mamon Task Force told GMANews.TV it was still relevant in view of persistent speculations that Pichay had already secured the post. Speculations about Pichay’s appointment as OWWA head had been fueled by a memorandum from Malacaňang Palace addressing him as “OWWA Administrator." As earlier reported by GMANews.TV the memorandum bearing the signature of Assistant Secretary Ma. Lourdes P. Varona, head of Malacaňang’s correspondence office, referred to the former Surigao congressman as “Administrator Pichay" an e-mail by a Filipino community leader in Riyadh requesting review of the “pending and aging cases of OFWs filed in Philippine embassies, consulates and labor offices in the Middle Eastern region. Malacaňang’s Correspondence Office on Friday revealed that the letter was genuine but admitted that it was a case of a “wrong addressee." Liam Tinio, presidential staff officer of the correspondence office, said that at the time the memorandum was written, “it was announced that Pichay would be taking over OWWA." Because of the Palace memorandum, Riyadh-based Dr. Mohamad Carlito Astillero’s withdrew his nomination to the top OWWA post. In the statement, Abeto and Espiritu putting appointees whose loyalties are suspect to the top OWWA post would be unfair to overseas workers who are being forced to contribute to the OWWA fund. “Our fears are not without basis. On February 2, 2004, a few months before the last 2004 elections, Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, the acting OWWA chairperson at that time, and OWWA Administrator Virgilio Angelo signed a resolution transferring P530 million from the OWWA Medicare fund to the Philhealth. The money enabled President Arroyo to give away PhilHealth cards to non-OFWs during her pre-campaign sorties," said the statement. It urged all overseas Filipino workers to immediately write to the secretary of labor, Malacañang and Congress and “show their opposition to this dubious plan." “OFW organizations and advocates have begun endorsing able leaders who have been consistent in promoting migrant rights. Soon we will come out with a short list of more competent and acceptable leaders to lead OWWA. The next OWWA chief must be able to consolidate the agency, and come up with effective mechanisms to monitor, defend and invigorate OWWA’s mandate and properly use its funds. We enjoin all OFWs, their families, and migrant organizations in this effort. Let us unite and join forces. Let our voices be heard!" it said. It also called on Malacañang to be observe transparency and consult with OFWs first before putting anyone to manage the welfare fund. - GMANews.TV