Group chides Labor chief over ‘more OFWs coming home for good’ remark

Press Release

20 May 2013

Group chides Labor chief over ‘more OFWs coming home for good’ remark

Filipino migrants’ rights group MIGRANTE today chided Philippine labor department chief Rosalinda Baldoz over her remarks that more OFWs are coming home for good when in fact she is only being hypocritical and clearly her ‘feet off the ground’.

John Leonard Monterona, MIGRANTE vice chairperson and regional coordinator of Migrante International in the Middle East and North Africa, criticized DoLE chief Baldoz over her remarks ‘more OFWs coming home for good’ as reported in Inquirer.Net May 20, 2013 news report http://globalnation.inquirer.net/75025/dole-more-ofws-coming-home-for-good

“Labor dept. chief Baldoz engages herself in plain cheap doubletalk in her vain attempt to picture out a Philippine economic growth and thus, it is creating more jobs for the 11-M unemployed and underemployed Filipinos,” said Monterona.

Monterona added that aside from the rising yearly rate of unemployed and underemployed Filipinos, the 4,200 to 4,500 daily of Filipinos leaving the country to look for jobs and work abroad is a clear indication of a bleak Philippine labor situation attributed mainly to its failure to generate local jobs, institutionalization of anti-labor policies such as labor deregulation, labor-only contracting, two-tier wage system, among others.

Monterona cited the January 2013 National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) unemployment and underemployment rate of 7.1 and 20.9, respectively.

“The unemployment and underemployment rate practically remain unchanged from 2010 when Pres. Aquino III installed in office up to January this year,” Monterona noted.

The displacement of thousands OFWs could not be construed as they’re coming home for good. “DoLE chief misread this situation,” Monterona averred.

Monterona cited the displacement of thousands OFWs in Saudi Arabia who were affected by Saudization or Nitaqat, while in Bahrain and Oman, both have intensified the ‘localization’ of its labor market giving priority the employment of their citizens over migrant workers, and the OFWs in Bahamas also face the threat of being displaced.

If there are 8-M OFWs abroad, excluding immigrants and overseas Filipinos, OFWs job displacement this year would equate to at least 4% or around 350,000.

“This is a sad reality which the PNoy govt. through its Labor dept. could not accept or mainly because it’s ‘feet off the ground’, thus misreading the real OFWs labor displacement abroad,” Monterona lamented.

Monterona asserted anew that it is high time the PH govt. review its labor export policy in light of the shrinking labor markets and OFWs jobs displacement.

MIGRANTE delegation along Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City, during 2012 PNoy State of the Nation Address (SONA). Migrante file photo.

“We need to develop an economy that is not dependent on cheap labor exportation and to the influx of OFWs remittances by shunning away from US-imposed economic neo-liberal policies of globalization such as liberalization, privatization, deregulation, and denationalization. Instead, the country needs to genuinely implement agrarian reform program and the nationalization of basic industries to serve as strong backbone for PH economy to survive and foster growth that is inclusive to all social strata and sectors,” Monterona added.

“If DoLE chief Baldoz insist her self-serving assertion that more OFWs are coming home for good, we are challenging her to a public debate not just to raise the issue into the bar of public opinion but more on substantiating if her claim is factual or plainly a doubletalk as she misread OFWs jobs displacement, thus they’re coming home,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

MIGRANTE vice chairperson

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 0063 923 420 0112

115 Stranded women OFWs in Jordan plea anew for their mass repatriation

Press Release

19 May 2013

115 stranded women OFWs in Jordan plea anew for their mass repatriation

One hundred fifteen stranded women overseas Filipino workers in Amman, Jordan today renewed their plea to the PH government to attend on their repatriation, according to Filipino migrant rights group Migrante-Middle East (M-ME).

On April 22, 2013, around 30 of the 115 stranded OFWs, who are supposed to provisionally stay at the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC), run and manage by the Philippine Embassy in Amman, Jordan, went out of the FWRC and staged a picket in front of the Philippine Overseas Labor office and OWWA building (POLO-OWWA) to press PH embassy and labor officials of their long-awaited repatriation. (See attached photos below).

Women OFWs, distressed and stranded, staged a picket in front of POLO-OWWA building in Amman, Jordan on April 22, 2013. MIGRANTE file photo.

“Most of the stranded women OFWs have been staying at FWRC in Amman, Jordan since 2010. Their supposed temporary stay at FWRC seems have become permanent amid repeated plea for their repatriation,” said MIGRANTE vice chairperson John Leonard Monterona, also regional coordinator of Migrante International in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Monterona said majority of the 115 stranded women OFWs were victim of human trafficking as confirmed by stranded OFWs during recent exchanges with Monterona.

Women OFWs, distressed and stranded, staged a picket in front of POLO-OWWA building in Amman, Jordan on April 22, 2013. MIGRANTE file photo.

“Unfortunately after working for several weeks and months, they fall prey to their respective employers’ abuses and maltreatment. Others have not been paid of their salaries for months, while some were falsely charged of stealing and illicit relationship by their employers prompting them to run away from their sponsor-employer,” Monterona revealed.

Monterona cited the case of ‘Marimar’ (not her real name), 37, from Laguna. She falls prey to illegal recruiter and was deployed on January 28, 2010 to Amman, Jordan to work as a household service worker (HSW). She claimed that she was sexually harassed by her employer after two months working for the latter prompting her to run away and sought assistance and refuge to PH embassy and labor officials in Amman.

Marimar has stayed 9 months at the FWRC and sensing there was no development on her case, she was forced to leave at the FWRC but was nabbed by Jordan immigration authorities a week after.

Monterona, citing the stranded women OFWs, said since they run away from their employers and many have no passport as it is usually confiscated by their employer, the PH embassy issued travel documents.

“The problem is that Jordan immigration authorities didn’t honor the travel documents issued by the PH embassy to the stranded OFWs to get out-passes and eventually leave Jordan,” Monterona revealed.

The stranded OFWs were told to report to Jordan immigration office for ‘interview’ on a schedule basis, but this was stop on April 25, 2013 by the Jordan immigration authorities themselves.

“In such case, the PH embassy and labor officials in Jordan should lobby to the Jordan immigration authorities the acceptance of issued travel documents to the 115 stranded OFWs to obtain out-passes,” Monterona suggested.

Monterona, citing humanitarian consideration, calls on the Jordan govt. to relax its immigration rules and accept the PH govt.-issued travel documents to the stranded OFWs, grant them out-passes and let the stranded women OFWs leave Jordan after proper compliance of documentation formalities by the Jordan immigration authorities.

Meanwhile, the stranded OFWs conveyed to Monterona that electricity supply at the FWRC during night is cut off and electric heaters are collected out from their rooms amid cold temperature during night. They also alleged that their cell phones were confiscated.

“We call on the PH embassy and labor officials in Amman, Jordan to respect the rights of the stranded women OFWs staying at the FWRC. They must ensure continuous supply of food, water, medicines, electricity, heaters and other needs of the wards,” Monterona added.

Women OFWs, distressed and stranded, staged a picket in front of POLO-OWWA building in Amman, Jordan on April 22, 2013. MIGRANTE file photo.

Monterona urges Pres. Aquino III to ask the DFA and DoLE to submit a comprehensive report on the numbers and condition of all distressed OFWs temporarily staying at PH embassy and consulate-run Filipino Workers Resource Centers or Bahay Kalinga. 

“PNoy should order the DFA and DoLE to fast track the mass repatriation of all distressed and stranded OFWs staying at PH halfway shelters in the Middle East,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

MIGRANTE vice chairperson

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 0063 923 420 0112

Breaking News: 15 stranded OFWs in KSA will be home May 18

Press Release

17 May 2013

15 stranded OFWs in KSA will be home May 18

‘Initial victory of the stranded OFWs collective mass action’

Thus, said today by Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) upon receiving confirmation on the repatriation of the fifteen (15) stranded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The 15, all male, are among the around 200 stranded OFWs who have encamped inside the PH embassy compound in Riyadh since May 4.

Some of the 200 stranded OFWs at PH embassy premises in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia while awaiting embassy and labor officials for a dialog but they were not attended. MIGRANTE File photo dated May 4, 2013

“We received a confirmed report from our Migrante colleagues in Riyadh that the 15 stranded OFWs is schedule to leave Saudi Arabia onboard flight Gulf Air GF-0168 via Bahrain International airport at 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 17,” said MIGRANTE vice chairperson John Leonard Monterona, also the regional coordinator of Migrante International in the Middle East.

If there are no hassles on their repatriation documents, the 15 stranded OFWs expected arrival onboard GF-0154 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) the following day, Saturday, May 18, at around 10:55 a.m., according to Monterona citing the flight schedules their group got from embassy official who requested anonymity.

“This is an initial victory of the stranded OFWs for taking up decisive collective action such as staging an encampment inside the PH embassy compound to press the PH govt. through embassy and labor officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, though they have been requesting assistance for their repatriation since last year,” Monterona claimed.

“Again and again, we have proven that decisive collective mass action by the OFWs themselves is the best antidote to government inaction and dilly-dallying in providing assistance to distressed, stranded, and abused OFWs,” Monterona adding that, ideally, it should not always be the case if only Embassy and labor officials abroad are doing their duty par excellence meeting the demands of their jobs as public servant.

Monterona said he is expecting that more stranded OFWs in Riyadh and Jeddah will be sent home in the coming days.

“About 30 stranded OFWs have been sent to Saudi deportation centers in Jeddah, and we hope they will soon be repatriated after verification of their immigration status,” Monterona added.

Monterona further said Migrante chapters in Saudi Arabia will continue to provide assistance to women stranded OFWs with kids and those who are old and sick.

His group will continue soliciting donations such as food, water, medicines, and sanitations for those who are still at ‘Tent City’ in Jeddah and those who are still inside the PH embassy compound in Riyadh.

“We would like to express our appreciation to the Filipino communities and OFW groups and individuals who never cease to send their donations and as well as their moral support to the stranded OFWs. Our ‘free, swift, mass repatriation’ campaign will continue until the last batch of stranded OFWs will be sent home,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

MIGRANTE vice chairperson

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 0063 923 420 0112

MIGRANTE sees damaging impact on OFWs deployment and possible jobs displacement as PH-Taiwan tension escalates

Meanwhile, Monterona sees a damaging impact on OFWs deployment and possible jobs displacement as tension between the Philippines and Taiwan is getting high. He said it is prudent on PNoy govt. to consider sending high-level delegation team to talk with the Taiwan govt. to settle the issue and to mitigate the impact on OFWs deployment and displacement.

He extends an unsolicited advice to fellow OFWs in Taiwan to take extra care and limit their movements and engagement to enraged Taiwanese.

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Press Release

17 May 2013

Ready reintegration program for displaced OFWs, group urges PNoy govt.

The Filipino migrants rights group MIGRANTE today urges President Benigno Simeon Aquino III (PNoy) to order the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and other concerned government agencies to ready its reintegration program for displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“We knew for a fact that there are OFWs who have sought repatriation from Saudi Arabia; some of them undocumented, while others have been displaced by Saudization or locally known in the Kingdom as Nitaqat, which means localization of labor giving priority jobs to Saudi nationals over expatriate workers,” said MIGRANTE vice chairperson John Leonard Monterona, also regional coordinator of Migrante International in the Middle East.

Monterona, who is spending his annual vacation now in the Philippines, said there are 7,500 stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia who have sought assistance for their repatriation from the PH embassy and consulate in the Kingdom.

Around 4,500 have set up tents beside the PH consulate since the 1^st week of April in Jeddah and still there until now, while 165 stranded OFWs encamped inside the PH embassy compound in Riyadh on May 4.

“There number is expected to surge from between 12,000 to 22,000 when the 90-day grace period granted by the Saudi govt. to fix their documents, either for transfer of sponsor or repatriation, comes nearer to an end July 8,” Monterona explained.

Majority of the stranded OFWs were run away from their sponsor. Some have pending absconding case filed by their sponsors locally called ‘Horoob’, while others are lucky enough that their sponsors did not file an absconding case against them.

Even the OFWs with legal status but on a free visa known as ‘freelancer’ are also affected by the Saudization/Nitaqat. After the 90-day grace period, they’re the also a target of an intensified crackdown by the Saudi authorities, according to Monterona.

“These displaced OFWs will be facing tough economic situation back in the Philippines amid PNoy govt. claim that the economy is growing,” Monterona averred.

The OFW leader further said that the displaced OFWs are unprepared and many of them coming home empty.

 “Thus, we are urging PNoy to order the DoLE, OWWA and other concerned agencies to ready a comprehensive reintegration program that will assist all displaced and returning OFWs, not only limited to OWWA active members, by providing entrepreneurship skills trainings and loans for small business,” Monterona suggested.

On 2011, PNoy ordered the allocation of P2-B for OWWA’s OFW Reintegration Program (OFW-RP) taken from the P12.8-B OWWA trust fund pooled from US$25 OFW membership fee held in trust to the government.

Meanwhile, Monterona sees a damaging impact on OFWs deployment and possible jobs displacement as tension between the Philippines and Taiwan is getting high. He said it is prudent on PNoy govt. to consider sending high-level delegation team to talk with the Taiwan govt. to settle the issue and to mitigate the impact on OFWs deployment and displacement.

He extends an unsolicited advice to fellow OFWs in Taiwan to take extra care and limit their movements and engagement to enraged Taiwanese. (End) # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

MIGRANTE vice chairperson

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 0063 923 420 0112

Group calls for probe on embassy officials harassing stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia

Press Release

16 May 2013

Group calls for probe on embassy officials harassing stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia

Migrant rights group, MIGRANTE-Middle East (M-ME), today calls on the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and various international human rights group such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Migrants, to conduct investigation on the inhumane treatment of stranded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) by Philippine Embassy officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.


On May 4, 2013, around 165 stranded OFWs, mostly women and some with children staged an encampment inside the PH embassy compound after the PH ambassador to Saudi Arabia failed to show for a dialog to press their repatriation.


“From the very beginning and until now, PH ambassador Ezzadin Tago is hesitant to face the stranded OFWs who are seeking assistance for their repatriation especially when the Saudi govt. launched a massive Kingdom-wide crackdown of undocumented and after the latter announced a 90-day grace period to fix the documents of undocumented, which will end on 8 July 2013,” said John Leonard Monterona, MIGRANTE vice chairperson and regional coordinator of Migrante-Middle East.


Instead of squarely attending the request for assistance by the stranded OFWs, Mr. Tago employed old dirty tactics such as cutting of electricity and water lines where the stranded have set up their tents, barring the entry of OFWs donations such as food, water, and medicines, duping the stranded mother whose child is suffering from hydrocephalous by falsely promising hospitalization for her child, and continuously harassing the stranded OFWs so that they will be forced them to leave the embassy’s premises, Monterona citing reports from the stranded OFWs.

Yesterday (May 15, 2013) about 6:00 p.m. an embassy official identified as Mr. Jimmy Harris, who work as translator cum driver for the embassy’s Assistance to the National Section (ANS) suddenly went to the tent where the stranded OFWs are staying. He shouted and scolded the stranded OFWs and had attempted to beat some of the stranded in front of him as seen in the video uploaded in social networking site Face Book.

(See link here https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=554543277921751 that was sent to M-ME’s Monterona).

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the continued harassment by the Embassy officials headed by Mr. Tago to the helpless stranded OFWs, mostly victim of labor rights violations, abuse and maltreatment, who are only seeking assistance since last year and were forced to set up tents inside the PH embassy compound to press for their repatriation,” Monterona lamented.

“These continued harassment on the stranded OFWs by PH embassy officials is quite alarming, thus we are calling the PH Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and other international human rights organizations to investigate these incidents and made those officials accountable on their coward and inhumane act,” Monterona averred.

Monterona said his group and the OFW community would hold Mr. Tago accountable to what will happen to the stranded OFWs inside the PH embassy compound due to continued harassment by its staff.

“Mr. Tago should stop harassing the stranded OFWs inside the PH embassy compound. Instead, he should work hard for the stranded OFWs repatriation. As a public official, he is duty-bound to uphold and defend migrant workers’ rights,” the OFW leader averred.

Monterona made his appeal to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III: “Mr. President, Sir, we appeal to you to give your utmost attention and hear the pleas of our stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia seeking repatriation whose number reaches to 7,500 and is expected to surge to 12,000. Kindly instruct your diplomatic and labor officials in Riyadh and Jeddah to provide food, water, medicines, and other needs of our stranded OFWs.” # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Vice chairperson, MIGRANTE

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. +63 923 420 0112

PH embassy rejects request to conduct medical mission for stranded OFWs

Press Release

16 May 2013

PH embassy rejects request to conduct medical mission for stranded OFWs

The Philippine embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia rejected the request to hold a medical mission for stranded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) mostly women, some with children, reportedly are sick and still inside the PH embassy compound seeking help for their repatriation, according to Filipino migrants rights’ group MIGRANTE.

On May 13, 2013, a letter jointly signed by the chairpersons of MIGRANTE and Gabriela Women’s Party chapters in Saudi Arabia, Patricia Enriquez and Sarah Gabriel, respectively, was sent to PH ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzadin Tago requesting the holding of a medical mission for stranded OFWs who have camped inside the PH embassy compound.

“In reference to the current situation of the distressed OFWs stranded inside the embassy premises, we would like to inform you that AVICENNA Clinic, and Magrabi Hospital Riyadh staff nurses are conducting a medical mission on Friday, 17 May 2013 at 12:30n to 3:30 p.m.,” stated the two OFW women leaders in their letter sent to Amb. Tago.

Two days after, the PH embassy through its Administrative Officer Mr. Mohanad Taha Guinomla replied rejecting the request to hold medical mission.

“We regret that we are unable to accommodate your request for a medical mission for the OFWs inside the Embassy premises,” Guinomla in his letter reply dated Ma7 15, 2013, adding that the Embassy is closed to the public on Fridays.

PH embassy’s Guinomla cited that for security reasons, they ‘can’t allow non-embassy personnel to enter the premises’. He, however, assures that they’re ‘always ready to extend medical assistance to the distressed OFWs and bring them to the hospital should they require such assistance.’

PH embassy-Riyadh May 15 letter reply to OFW groups request to hold medical mission for stranded OFWs who have encamped inside PH embassy compound since May 4, 2013.

On his part, MIGRANTE vice-chairperson and middle-east regional coordinator John Monterona criticized the PH embassy’s rejection to the request to hold a medical mission.

“The very aim of the medical mission is to attend on the medical needs of the stranded OFWs who have been inside the PH embassy compound since May 4. They have reported to us that the PH embassy is not providing them food, water, medicines, and sanitation and in fact, the donations (food, water, and medicines) from various OFW groups were bared and were not allowed to reach to the stranded OFWs,” Monterona lamented.

Monterona said the PH embassy should have prepared and sent a notice holding a medical mission inside the PH embassy compound to Saudi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and wait for the latter’s reply.

“To turn down the medical mission and yet no embassy medical assistance given to the stranded OFWs especially to the children and sick is clearly a disservice and tantamount to criminal neglect,” Monterona lamented.

“Instead of helping the stranded OFWs who have camped inside the PH embassy since May 4, Amb. Tago used the same old tactics in harassing the stranded OFWs to force them leave the PH embassy compound in Riyadh,” Monterona added.

Monterona noted on the 2^nd day of the encampment of the stranded OFWs inside the PH embassy compound, Amb. Tago ordered his staff to cut off the electricity and water lines where the 120 stranded OFWs, mostly women and some with children, have stayed at the old canteen inside the PH embassy.

“Amb. Tago ordered the PH embassy closed and the donations for the stranded OFWs coming from various Filipino organizations such as food, water, and sanitation were confiscated. Then, he is now blaming MIGRANTE and various Filipino organizations who have supported the stranded OFWs in their fight for free, swift, mass repatriation as he claimed that the embassy’s operation have been affected,” Monterona adding that it was Tago who ordered the embassy closed where in fact the stranded have camped inside the compound of the embassy far away from the main building of the embassy where daily consular services being held.

On May 6, Tago ordered his staff to talk to Monaida Angko Dimarao, 30, from Parang, Maguindanao, to convince her that the embassy will only provide medication to her 10-month old daughter who has hydrocephalous, if they will leave the encampment inside the PH embassy. She hesitated but was forced by embassy staff and get way her daughter who was brought inside the PH embassy building.

After hours of waiting and sensing that there is no update of the promised medication of her daughter by the PH embassy staff, she and other fellow stranded OFWs went to PH embassy building to demand that her daughter be back with her. (Attached link of the recorded video sent by a stranded OFWs to MIGRANTE’s Monterona http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhWCYxcJayE&feature=youtu.bev)

“We can’t understand why Amb. Tago is forcing the stranded OFWs leave the PH embassy compound who only wanted a sanctuary inside the PH embassy while awaiting the assurance and action of the PH embassy for their repatriation. The PH embassy is supposedly the most secured place for our stranded, distressed, and abused OFWs,” retorted Monterona.

Monterona said the number of stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia seeking assistance for repatriation surges to 7,500 and is expected to balloon to around 12,000 as the Saudi govt.-imposed grace period deadline to fix the documents and legalization of undocumented migrants will end on 8 July 2013.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Vice chairperson, MIGRANTE

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. +63 923 420 0112

MIGRANTE urges COMELEC to hold parallel manual count in AES-PCOS areas abroad

Press Release

12 May 2013

Last appeal to the COMELEC

MIGRANTE urges COMELEC to hold parallel manual count in AES-PCOS areas abroad

A day before the elections, the Filipino migrant workers’ party-list group MIGRANTE today said it urges the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Committee on Overseas Absentee Voting (COAV), composed of representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the COMELEC, to consider the holding of parallel manual count in seven (7) areas abroad though an Automated Election System (AES) using Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) have been put in place.

“We are asking the COMELEC and the COAV to seriously consider the holding of parallel manual count in 7 areas abroad during the counting of absentee votes that will start 7:01 p.m. on May 13, right after the election day period,” said MIGRANTE vice-chairperson John Leonard Monterona, also regional coordinator of Migrante International in the Middle East.

Aside from Hong Kong and Singapore, where the AES-PCOS have been implemented since 2007 and 2010 elections, new 5 areas in the Middle East will use AES-PCOS machines. These are Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Kuwait.

“We have been raising some legal and credibility issues in regards to the conduct of AES in the Philippines as well as abroad. And until now, there are no sufficient explanations and contingencies put in place by the COMELEC,” Monterona added.

For one, Monterona added, there is no thorough review of the source code. “The COMELEC only presented to the public the source code the other day that renders a thorough review impossible, which is in clear violation of the law that requires 4 months before the election,” the OFW leader averred.

In addition to the above, Monterona said, “The lack of license for using the system, the disabling of all major safeguards and accuracy features such as the use of UV lights and BEI digitals signature on the returns, among others; the numerous glitches on PCOS testing -all these raise legal grounds questioning the legitimacy of the May 13 elections precisely because of the flawed system.”

Monterona added the counting and transmission of votes from these 7 areas abroad have not been fully explained amid errors documented during the 2010 elections. “Some of the fixing or fabrication of the count happens during the transmission gaps and interruptions from the precincts upward to the national servers.”

“These are serious credibility issues in the conduct of AES-PCOS in 7 areas abroad as the same way the conduct of elections in the Philippines tomorrow, May 13,” Monterona adding, “On these bases (as cited above), we are proposing a parallel manual count.”

“To avoid facing numerous legal actions, the COMELEC should consider holding parallel manual count in 7 areas abroad. Manual count is mandated and sanctioned by law if there are valid legal bases as I have cited above,” Monterona lamented.

Monterona further said that MIGRANTE and other OFW groups’ poll watchers abroad vow to help contribute attain honest, orderly, and peaceful elections.

“We need to be vigilant to prevent possible fraudulent acts and to secure the sanctity of our votes. We will conduct our own manual audit of overseas votes,” Monterona declared. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

MIGRANTE vice-chairperson

Mobile No. 0063 923 420 0112