OFWs also preparing for SONA

18 July2009
PRESS RELEASE:

Reference:
Garry Martinez, Chairperson, 09217229740
Ailyn Abdula, Media Officer,09212708994

Zero-Remittance Day set:
OFWs also preparing for SONA

“Zero Remittance on the First day of Con-Ass: this is our clarion call to all and sundry who would try to subvert further the last modicum of democracy in our country.”

This was the reiteration of Migrante International’s resolution in a press conference held at the Cypress Café today. A little over a week before the last State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo (PGMA), the largest alliance of Filipino migrant organizations also unveiled the plans of its chapters across the globe to “register their protest actions against the convening of a constitutional assembly (con-ass) by Congress or any dastardly scheme to extend the term of PGMA, through a con-ass, emergency rule or coup.”

“To many OFWs, PGMA is the epitome of everything we distrust and hate about government: pabaya, mukhang pera, sinungaling at mandaraya!” declared Garry Martinez, chairperson of Migrante International. “Thus, we want to be absolutely clear that this SONA will truly be her last.”

“More and more OFWs and their families want to ‘stand and be counted’ as they realize the importance of their economic and political role in Philippine society,” continued Martinez, “and they are increasingly realizing how they can, indeed, send a strong message to the government.”

Vanessa Valmadrid, the wife of an ofw in Taiwan, present at the press conference, also declared: “My husband will support this Zero Remittance day call of Migrante. I told him that my daughter and I understand that no remittance for a day is nothing compared to all the hardships we endured as OFWs. Para sa aming OFWs, ang kapabayaan ng gobiyernong ito ay mas kasuklam-suklam kaysa sa mga dinaranas na pangaapi naming sa kamay ng mga dayuhan. Mas masakit malaman na pagkatapos kang pagkakitaan ng husto ng gobiyerno, parang trapo ka lang na ihahagis kung wala na silang perang makukuha sa iyo.”

Valmadrid, a worker in Taiwan retrenched last December, is still waiting for the government to resolve cases she filed against her recruitment agency continued, “Ngayon ko nakikita ang kahalagahan ng pagkilos ng mga OFWs!”

“Kasama kaming migranteng Pilipino sa nagmamartsang sambayanan laban sa Con-Ass!” added Martinez. He cited the growing strength and growing awareness of organized OFWs and their families as he enumerated their various protest activities building up to the SONA as they heed the call for a Countdown to the SONA starting July 20.

“For the first time in history, a synchronized Black Friday protest on July 24 will simultaneously be held by our Middle East chapters in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, a thousand strong kababayans in Hongkong under the banner of UNIFIL will be marching on the streets on the 26th, simultaneous with our kababayans in South Korea.

Halfway across the globe, our kababayans in Canada are also gearing up for a simultaneous action in all key areas of Canada. Our counterparts in New Zealand and in the United Kingdom have signified their intention to join the Zero Remit campaign while Migrante Australia will be holding a protest action at the Philippine Consulate in Sydney on July 27.”

“Sa ilalim ng pamahalaang US-Arroyo, lalong lumala ang kalagayan naming OFWs. This government is so greedy and so desperate to stay in power that it is selling our kababayans like slaves: available to anyone for the right price. PGMA does not care if OFWs are in countries that are at war, or blatantly violate international labor standards, or have had thousands of cases of violence against women! declared Garry Martinez, chairperson of the largest alliance of Filipino migrant organizations across the globe. “PGMA’s only interest in us is for us to bring home the bacon, so to speak—through exorbitant state exactions and remittances to keep the economy afloat.”

Migrante International and its chapters in the country will also be conducting protest actions and will be joining all chapters around the world for a synchronized protest on the eve of the SONA. ###

-- http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/migranteinternational

Hold remittances against Con-Ass

8 July 2009
PRESS RELEASE

Reference: Garry Martinez, Chairperson-09217229740
Ailyn Abdula, Media Officer, 09212708994

Migrante points bombing to Malacanang
Petition to hold remittances against Con-Ass launched

In their kick off activity at the seamen’s lurk along Kalaw to launch a petition signing campaign against term extension, calling for a Zero-Remittance Day once the constituent assembly (Con-Ass) convenes, Migrante International warned the people that President Gloria Arroyo is desperate to cling into power and is capable of resorting to other measures, including a scenario that is similar to the months preceding martial law.

The group was referring to the series of bombings and bomb threats that have hit the country, particularly in Mindanao that have killed many innocent civilians.

“It is only the Arroyo administration who will benefit most if these bombings will lead to a state of emergency. We call on the people to be vigilant and continue to demonstrate that they will not let President Arroyo getaway with her crime against the people by extending her term either through con-ass or through a palace coup,” said Garry Martinez, chairperson of Migrante International.

The group pointed out that Malacanang could easily blame the bombing and other looming destabilization incidences to the opposition and other militant groups, as it has done in the past, to justify what is called a staged coup de etat that will perpetuate President Arroyo into power indefinitely.

“We will try to reach the biggest number of OFWs and their families here in the country to suspend sending their remittances for a day; that is, on the first day of Con-Ass once it convenes. At the same time, our chapters abroad are also getting ready to raise their opposition to any scenario that will prolong President Arroyo’s term in Malacanang,” adds Martinez

Migrante plans to put up other petition signing activities in places where OFWs are concentrated. The group also announced that they will compile all the signatures and submit them in congress during the State-of-the-Nation-Address of President Gloria Arroyo this coming July 27, 2009. #####

--
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/migranteinternational

Frustrate GMA’s “dirty” machination

Press Release
1 July 2009

OFWs and their families ready to respond to the “call of the time”-
Frustrate Mrs. Arroyo’s “dirty” machination to stay in power beyond her term

An alliance of overseas Filipino workers based in the Middle East today called on the more than 10-M Overseas Filipinos around the world along with their families back home to be ready to respond to the “call of time”- that is to frustrate Mrs. Arroyo and her political allies’ dirty machinations just to stay in power beyond her term.

“Mrs. Arroyo and her political allies in Congress are now isolated with the general public as her administration is becoming more desperate with fast ticking little time remaining to even staged dirty machinations just to justify a no-election scenario and/or imposition of martial rule,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona said the Filipino people along with OFWs around the world are watching in any untoward socio-political events in the Philippines that would put every Filipinos freedom and liberty in peril, and would respond actively to the “call of the time” by exposing to the international community the wickedness of the most ambitious President of the Philippines just to stay in power for whatever costs it is much willing to bet.

“It is easy for the 10-M OFWs scattered around the world to watching on the socio-political development back home brought by high-technology and better communication system; we can use the same to propagate our strong opposition and launched coordinated campaign protest actions to frustrate Mrs. Arroyo’s wicked plan of staying in power beyond her term,” Monterona added.

Monterona opined the series of bombings and findings of ‘planted’ bombs in several government agencies’ vicinity in Metro Manila are intended to sow fears to the general public and to foster chaos creating a scenario that would justify the giving of emergency power by pro-administration dominated Congress to the President– a prelude to the imposition of martial law.

“We are seeing now the remake of martial law imposition during Marcos time orchestrated by no less than the Arroyo regime, thus it won’t be a surprise at all if bomb explosions will reverberate Metro Manila and nearby provinces; but the Filipino people and OFWs and their families will not let this happen again,” Monterona added.

Monterona said the ‘call of the time’ is to be vigilant and for every freedom-loving Filipinos abroad to join hands fighting a common enemy by exposing Mrs. Arroyo’s evil plans in whatever way the Filipino communities and OFWs around the world could do in their own respective ways.

“Our ‘No Remittance’ day campaign is gaining grounds among the Filipino communities and OFWs organizations, as well as individual OFWs expressing their willingness to participate as they are already asking us when is the internationally coordinated ‘No Remittance’ day,” Monterona revealed.

Monterona said his group is yet to determine when exactly is OFWs internationally coordinated ‘No Remittance’ day, but said “It must be on the day when the pro-Administration Congressmen convene their fake ‘con-ass’ during the opening of Congress regular session right after Mrs. Arroyo delivered her State of the Nation Address.

Migrante chapters in the Middle East are continuously launching series of discussions and consultations among OFWs and their organizations campaigning against ‘con-ass’, Cha-cha and Mrs. Arroyo’s perpetuation in power beyond her term. (end) # # #

For reference:
John Leonard Monterona
regional coordinator
Migrante Middle East
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012

Kumilos sa Hunyo 30

(Migrante KSA fully supports the people's struggles against the charter change (ChaCha) / constitutional assembly (ConAss) plans of GMA. We are thus calling all our family and friends at the homefront to participate in all activities against the evil designs of ChaCha/ConAss proponents.)

ANAKPAWIS PARTYLIST

PRESS STATEMENT
28 Hunyo 2009

Lupa, sahod, trabaho, tirahan, pagkain, serbisyong panlipunan!
Hindi Cha-cha ni Gloria!
Kumilos sa Hunyo 30

Ayaw ng taumbayan sa cha-cha. Pero pinipilit ng mga kakampi ni Gloria ang constituent assembly na magbabago sa saligang batas sa parang iligal, unconstitutional at garapal.

Kapag binago ang konstitusyon, walang pakinabang ang mamamayan. May tatlong pangunahing layunin ang chacha ni Gloria.

• Tanggalin ang probisyon sa pambansang patrimonya – Sa utos ng mga dayuhang kapitalista, papayagan na ang 100% pagmamay-ari ng mga lupain at likas ng yaman ng Pilipinas. Manunumbalik din ang mga base militar ng US na itinaboy na ng nakikibakang sambayanan.


• Muling buhayin ang pagdedeklara ng batas militar – para supilin ang lahat ng mga kritiko ng gubyerno at mga aktibista, gagamitin nila ang kamay na bakal na magpapalala pa sa mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao gaya ng pagdukot at pamamaslang sa mga aktibista, panggigipit at pagkontrol sa midya at pulitikal na panunupil at pag-aresto sa mga kritiko.


• Palawigin ang termino Gloria lampas sa 2010 – Kahit na sukang-suka na tayo sa kabulukan ng gubyerno ni Arroyo, nangangarap pa siyang manatili sa kapangyarihan. Dahil isang termino lang maaaring manungkulan ang presidente, lulusutan ito ni Gloria sa pagtakbo bilang kongresista sa Pampanga at, sa gayon, ay maging prime minister sa isang parlyamentaryong gubyerno. Mas makapangyarihan pa ang prime minister kaysa presidente. Pag nangyari ito, matatakasan pa rin ni Gloria ang mga malalang kasong kriminal na isasampa ng taumbayan matapos syang maging presidente.

Kapag nagtagumpay si Gloria, ganito ang magiging konstitusyon ng bansa. Paano na ang mga anak natin na pinaka-maapektuhan sa ganitong kabulukan? Paano na ang mga maralitang patuloy na nagdurusa sa pahirap na gubyerno ni Arroyo? Paano na ang ating bayan?

Ayaw natin sa chacha, pero nagpupumilit pa rin si Gloria. Kailangang ipakita natin sa kanya na hindi na s’ya uubra. Magsama-sama tayo muli sa isang dambuhalang protesta. Kailangang manaig muli ang tinig ng mamamayan. Kumilos sa Hunyo 30! Magtipun-tipon sa Welcome Rotonda, PGH-Taft, Plaza Salamanca-Intramuros at Arellano-Legarda, alas-3 ng hapon.

Mamamayan ang mapagpasya!
Ipaglaban ang pambansang soberanya! Wakasan ang rehimeng US-Arroyo!
Cha-Cha at Gloria, Ibasura!

Reference:
Cherry B. Clemente
Secretary General, Anakpawis
09217283859

5 Kasalanan ni GMA sa OFWs

Pumirma ka na ba sa Petisyon ng OFWs laban sa ConAss ni Gloria?

Sumama ka na. CLICK HERE.

5 KASALANAN NI GLORIA SA MIGRANTENG PILIPINO.

Parang AH1N1 virus na nasa limang daliri ng kamay ni GMA na pilit na hinuhugasan, at pinagtatakpan ng isinusulong nitong CHA-CHA.

1.) Gusto naming wakasan na ang pananalasa ni Gloria sa kabuhayan at karapatan ng sambayanan. -Dahil palalawigin pa ng pakanang Con-Ass ang siyam na taon nang paglulunoy sa kapangyarihan ni Gloria, kanyang pamilya at mga kroni. Pahahabain pa nito an gating kalbaryo ng pagdarahop at pagsikil sa ating karapatan. Magbubukas din ito ng pinto para sa diktaduryang Arroyo.

2.) Gusto naming managot si Gloria sa lahat ng krimen laban sa mamamayan na kanyang ginawa.
-Dahil palulusutin ng Con-Ass si Gloria, kanyang pamilya at mga kroni sa criminal na pananagutan sa patung-patong na kaso ng korupsyon, pandaraya at pamamaslang.

3.) Ayaw naming tumindi pa ang pangangalakal ni Gloria ng OFWs sa ibayong dagat
-Dahil patitindihin pa ng pagtagal ni Gloria sa poder ang lansakang pag-export ng manggagawang Pilipino sa ibayong dagat, lumiliit ang remitans at patuloy na panghuhuthot ng mga bayarin ng mga OFWs, garapalang nagbabandila ng labor export program sa halip na harapin ang paglikha ng trabaho sa sariling bayan.

4.) Ayaw naming lumala pa ang panloloko at pang-aalipin sa mga OFWs.
-Dahil pararamihin at palalalain pa ng pagtagal si Gloria sa pwesto ang mga kaso ng paglabag sa karapatan ng OFWs. Pinakamasahol ang record ng rehimeng –Arroyo sa criminal na pagpapabaya sa mga OFWs na biktima ng iligal na rekrutment, pang-aabuso, pagpatay at iba pa.

5.) Tutol kami sa lansakang pagbenta ng likas na yaman at soberanya ng bansa.
-Dahil tatanggalin ng Con-Ass ang lahat ng mga nalalabi pang probinsya sa konstitusyon na pumipigil sa 100% pag-aari ng dayuhan sa negosyo, lupain at likas na yaman ng bansa. Kahulugan nito’y ibayong kahirapan at lalong paglayo ng bansa sa minimithing tunay na repormang agraryo at pamabansang industriyalisasyon na mamamayan.

Walang batas na kinikilala, walang katwirang tinatanggap ang mga tutang alipores ni Gloria sa loob ng Kongreso. Tanging pagbabangon ng mamamayang nagmamartsa sa lansangan ang makabibigo sa maitim na balaking baguhin ang konstitusyon para sa kapakinabangan ni Gloria. Sama-sama tayo, CON-ASS at Gloria, IBASURA!

Sa pagkilos ng sambayanan, nakikipagkaisa ang migranteng Pilipino at pamilya, buhos-lakas para hadlangan ang Con-Ass at CHA-CHA!

MAKILAHOK SA PANAWAGAN:
Di ako magpapadala,
Sa unang araw ng CON-ASS!
CHA-CHA NI GLORIA, IBASURA!

Pumirma sa Petisyon ng OFWs laban sa ConAss ni Gloria.

Sa mga Nagsusulong ng ChaCha

Mabuti pa sa inyo ang mga buwaya
Kapag nabusog na’y di na naniniba
Hindi tulad ninyong mga walang kabusugan
Sa yama’t kapangyarihan
Sagpang pa rin ng sagpang sa naghihingalong bayan

Mabuti pa sa inyo ang mga baboy
Nananaba sa tira- tirang pagkain
Ng kung kaninumang hapag-kainan
Hindi tulad ninyong nabubundat, nagpapakasasa
Sa kabang yaman ng bayan

Mabuti pa sa inyo ang mga unggoy
Marunong magtakip ng mukha, marunong mahiya
Hindi tulad ninyo na sobrang garapal, mukha’y makakapal
Bistado na’t lahat ayaw pa ring paawat
Ang baya’y harap-harapang ninanakawan

Mabuti pa sa inyo ang mga aso
Marunong kumilala’t magserbisyo
Sa taong sa kanya’y nagpapakai’t bumubuhay
Hindi tulad ninyong matapos palamuni’t payamanin
Naming nga migrante at sambayanang Pilipino
Kami pa ang inyong ipinagkakanulo, ipinapahamak at pinapaslang.

Sige! Kayo’y humahalakhak!
At magpakalasing sa tuwa at galak sa inyong maitim na balak
Dahil habang sa cha-cha kayo’y umiindak
Nagmamartsa ang bayang sa inyo’y magbabagsak.

“No Remittance” Day in KSA if “con-ass” convenes

Press Release
11 June 2009

For reference:
Mike Garlan
Secretary General, Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS-Migrante)
Mobile Phone: 00966 562 98 9930
Email: mikeriyadh_28@yahoo.com.ph

OFWs in the Middle East vow to intensify protests against Cha-cha;
readying “No Remittance” Day if “con-ass” convenes

The Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan, member organization of Migrante International in Saudi Arabia today said OFWs in Saudi Arabia are ever ready to oppose the move of Mrs. Arroyo’s snap dogs in the House of Representatives when they railroaded the approval of HB 1109 that will transform the Congress into Constituent Assembly to effect revisions to the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

The group’s opposition was declared today in a press conference held in Riyadh, and in solidarity to the legitimate and fair act of non-remittance if the fake “con-ass” will be convened.

Mike Garlan, KGS-Migrante Secretary-General, said despite mounting public opposition changing the Constitution, pro-administration Congressmen still able to manage to pass HB 1109 as their patron in Malacanang is pressing them hard for this ‘grand treachery’ to materialize serving its own interests to stay longer in power.

“Despite pronouncement of Mrs. Arroyo that election will push through in 2010, its actions and directives to its pro-administration Congressmen is her patented lie to the public who are eager to elect new President and other national and local elected officials come 2010 elections,” Garlan added.

“Mass protest actions in whatever forms in an internationally coordinated manner will be our response to pro-administration Congressmen and Mrs. Arroyo’s Con-ass; we are readying in consultation with our fellow OFWs and other OFWs organizations in Saudi Arabia where the second largest remittance came from for a “No Remittance” day if the fake “con-ass” will be convened on the opening of the Congress session on July 2009,” Garlan ended.

KGS and other chapters of Migrante in the Middle East are urging OFWs and their families for their usual support to frustrate the evil plans by the occupant in Malacanang desperately pushing for Charter Change for their own political and class interests. # # #

Zero Remittance on 1st Day of Con-Ass

10 June 2009
PRESS RELEASE:

Reference:
Garry Martinez, Chairperson, 09217229740
Ailyn Abdula, Media Officer, 09212708994

Migrante’s Call Snowballs:
Zero Remittance on 1st Day of Con-Ass

Migrante International once again called on the proponents of House Bill 1109 to desist from pursuing their plan of turning the Lower House into a constituent assembly or otherwise face the wrath of migrant Filipinos who are getting angrier by the minute at this brazen show of arrogance.

“Filipinos in North America have already started to drumbeat their protest actions against the Con-Ass. In the US, rallies and cultural events are being planned in New York while in Canada, Migrante-Ontario will picket the Philippine consulate in Toronto on Friday,” Martinez said.

The biggest alliance of OFWs across the globe also announced the formation of MarCHA! Laban sa Cha-Cha or Migrants against Cha-Cha, to highlight the vigorous campaign OFWs will conduct against the evil scheme.

“Our chapters in Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, United Kingdom and the Middle East have committed to initiate protest actions in their respective regions, using various creative forms of protests, to prepare for our call for a Zero-Remittance Day once Con-Ass convenes,” Martinez added. “Our members have the list of names of the proponents and they have vowed to urge their families in the Philippines not to vote for traitors!”

Migrante also announced that they will be joining the June 10 rally against cha-cha in Ayala , together with the families/relatives of OFWs and victims of the criminal neglect of the government.

“Today, we will start the MarCHA Laban sa Cha-cha! which is also a march against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo! There is no way we will allow her and her cohorts to extend her term in whatever form,” Martinez concluded. ###

Hold remittances if con-ass convenes – Migrante

8 June 2009
PRESS RELEASE:

Reference:
Garry Martinez, Chairperson, 09217229740
Ailyn Abdula, Media Officer, 09212708994

Hold remittances if con-ass convenes – Migrante

The biggest alliance of OFWs across the globe warns President Arroyo and the proponents of the Constitutional Assembly that Filipinos in different countries are getting ready to suspend sending their money to the Philippines if the constituent assembly convenes.

Migrante International claims that it will exert all efforts to stop the convening of the constituent assembly that they believe will pave the way for President Arroyo’s dictatorial regime similar to that of President Marcos’ dictatorship during the 70’s.

“What is at stake here is the lives and future of our children. We will not let our hard-earned money be utilized by Arroyo’s constituent assembly. This act will surely plunge our country back to the dark years of the Marcos dictatorship,” Garry Martinez, chairperson of Migrante International, exclaimed.

Martinez stated that OFWs were outraged when Congress passed House Resolution 1109 last Tuesday calling members of the Lower House to convene as a constituent assembly to revise the constitution.

“We have already received a deluge of statements from our chapters and Filipino communities abroad. They are already urging us to coordinate an international campaign to stop this mockery of a people’s initiative,” Martinez stated.

The group claims that Overseas Filipinos are disgusted not only with the ulterior motives of the accomplices of Arroyo in Congress but also with the manner it was deviously passed.

“Arrogant, scheming, and corrupt are the first three words to describe the prime movers of this dastardly act. The only beneficiary of this diabolic scheme is Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is so desperate to remain in power in order to escape her imminent prosecution of her crimes against the Filipino people,” Martinez added.

The group explained that the no-term-extension provision and the guarantee to hold the 2010 election are only ploys to make the railroading of the HR 1109 more palatable.

But Martinez voiced what many other sectors feared; “Once they convene the Con-Ass, all provisions in the Constitution are open for amendments, including term extension.”

“We are calling on all OFWs to actively participate in bringing this evil plan to history’s waste bin where it truly belongs. We have sent the names of the proponents of HR 1109 to all our members so they will know who betrayed them.” Martinez added. “If Arroyo and her lapdogs pursue their diabolic plan, we intend to make our voices be heard where it will be heard most.”

According to the central bank, remittances from overseas Filipinos reached a record $1.47 billion in March. While in 2008, it has recorded that Filipinos working overseas sent home US$16.4 billion — 13.7 percent more than in the previous year.###