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Thursday, March 16, 2017

Supreme Court Ruling: Good News for OFWs, Bad News For the Recruiters



The OFWs had always been the underdog when it comes to whom will the favor be given by the recruiters who deployed them against their foreign principals. The recruiters often favor their clients, not the OFWs they deployed. That is extremely saddening. It had always been the practice, not until today. The recent Supreme Court ruling can surely benefit the 12 million OFWs in 200 countries all over the world. Good news for the OFWs and a big bad news for the recruiters, especially the crooked ones. All the 15 Justices en banc (except the Chief Justice who was on leave) of the Supreme Court, decided in favor of an illegally dismissed OFW working in Taiwan, and condemn many unfair practices to which our OFWs have been subjected to, for many decades by now. The 29-page decision penned by the youngest Justice, Mario Victor F. Leonen, former UP Law Professor and Mindanao Peace Process government negotiator, has it all scribed well. This was in SOPA Inc (real name witheld), versus Joy Cabiles, GR 170139 promulgated on 05 August 2014. This decision is precedent-setting and will definitely exasperate the recruitment industry. 1. The Supreme Court stressed that OFWs are entitled to security of tenure, no matter how some quarters classify them, whether contractual or employee with a predetermined tenure. At least, they have job security during their two-year contract period. 2. OFWs cannot be dismissed by the foreign employers without just causes, referring to the Labor Code, and such other causes provided in the contract approved by the Labor Attache and the POEA. 3. OFWs are entitled to due process. 4. The law of the Philippines, where the contract was executed shall govern, not the law of the host government. 5. The Philippine recruiters are bound by the illegal acts of the foreign employer. 6. Since recruiters here are jointly and severally liable, they are obliged to pay in the entire extent of the liability. They can collect from their principal if ever they could. 7. The illegally dismissed OFW shall be entitled to be paid for all the unpaid salaries for the entire unexpired portion of the contract, and should not be limited to three months. That means that if after only one month, the 24 month-contract is breached by the employer by illegal dismissal, that employer, through the recruiter here, should pay for the unexpired 23 months. That means that if the OFW salary is one thousand dollars a month, he should be paid US$ 23,000. 8. The provision of RA 10022 that limits backwages to three months was declared unconstitutional. 9. The backwages shall be subject to a 12 percent interest in accordance with Section 15, in relation to 10, of RA 8042. 10. There should be reimbursement of her placement fees and other expenses. Well, I am sure the recruiters will be very angry with this ruling but the Court is only doing its job. Justice Leonen said: In RA 10022 it mysteriously appears that, instead of improving on the protection for OFWs, it provided for a diminution of backwages. This scheme of limiting backwages has already been annulled by the Court in the Serrano case. But an anti-OFW insertion has been made somehow. Now the Court had it annulled again. In an earlier case, Prieto ( 226 SCRA 232 ), Justice Cruz once wrote: "While these workers may indeed have little defense against exploitation while they are abroad, that disadvantage must not continue to burden them when they return to their own territory to voice their muted complaint. There is no reason why, in their very own land, the protection of our own laws cannot be extended to them in full measure." Justice Cruz told of the burdens carried by OFWs like breach of contract, maltreatment, rape, inadequate food, subhuman lodgings, insults and all forms of debasement in the hands of foreign employers. Atty Joseph Jimenez, who wrote this article on The Freeman said: "As a former Labor Attache assigned in Kuwait, Malaysia and Taiwan, these are not just words. These bring me to tears as I recall the sufferings of our OFWs. I salute the Supreme Court for this decision. At last, there is a ray of hope." Recalling the real situation of the OFWs in the host country where they are working. Recommended: Why OFWs Remain in Neck-deep Debts After Years Of Working Abroad? From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed. To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad. From application until they can actually leave the country, they spend big sum of money for it. But after they were being able to finally work abroad, the story did not just end there. More often than not, the big sum of cash they used to pay the recruitment agency fees cause them to suffer from indebtedness. They were being charged and burdened with too much fees, which are not even compliant with the law. Because of their eagerness to work overseas, they immerse themselves to high interest loans for the sake of working abroad. The recruitment agencies play a big role why the OFWs are suffering from neck-deep debts. Even some licensed agencies, they freely exploit the vulnerability of the OFWs. Due to their greed to collect more cash from every OFWs that they deploy, it results to making the life of OFWs more miserable by burying them in debts. The result of high fees collected by the agencies can even last even the OFWs have been deployed abroad. Some employers deduct it to their salaries for a number of months, leaving the OFWs broke when their much awaited salary comes. But it doesn't end there. Some of these agencies conspire with their counterpart agencies to urge the foreign employers to cut the salary of the poor OFWs in their favor. That is of course, beyond the expectation of the OFWs. Even before they leave, the promised salary is already computed and allocated. They have already planned how much they are going to send to their family back home. If the employer would cut the amount of the salary they are expecting to receive, the planned remittance will surely suffer, it includes the loans that they promised to be paid immediately on time when they finally work abroad. There is such a situation that their family in the Philippines carry the burden of paying for these loans made by the OFW. For example. An OFW father that has found a mistress, which is a fellow OFW, who turned his back to his family and to his obligations to pay his loans made for the recruitment fees. The result, the poor family back home, aside from not receiving any remittance, they will be the ones who are obliged to pay the loans made by the OFW, adding weight to the emotional burden they already had aside from their daily needs. Read: Common Money Mistakes Why Ofws remain Broke After Years Of Working Abroad Source: Bandera/inquirer.net NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed. To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad. NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte has already approved the establishment of the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007. Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made. RECOMMENDED BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH). If you know someone who is sick, had an accident or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission. Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees. Step 1. Prepare the following documents: Certificate of Employment- stating the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident. EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee. Medical Findings- should come from the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted. Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is; 1. Got sick: Request your company to provide pre-employment medical check -up or Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company. 2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.) 3 In case of Death: Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age. FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS Step 3. Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision. Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte has already approved the establishment of the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007. Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made. RECOMMENDED BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH). Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS How to File Employment Compensation for Private Workers If you know someone who is sick, had an accident or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission. If you know someone who is sick, had an accident or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission. Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees. Step 1. Prepare the following documents: Certificate of Employment- stating the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident. EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee. Medical Findings- should come from the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted. Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is; 1. Got sick: Request your company to provide pre-employment medical check -up or Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company. 2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.) 3 In case of Death: Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age. FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS Step 3. Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision. Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte has already approved the establishment of the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007. Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made. RECOMMENDED BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH). Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS Requirements and Fees for Reduced Travel Tax for OFW Dependents What is a travel tax? According to TIEZA ( Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority), it is a levy imposed by the Philippine government on individuals who are leaving the Philippines, as provided for by Presidential Decree (PD) 1183. A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. For an average Filipino like me, it’s quite pricey. Overseas Filipino Workers, diplomats and airline crew members are exempted from paying travel tax before but now, travel tax for OFWs are included in their air ticket prize and can be refunded later at the refund counter at NAIA. However, OFW dependents can apply for standard reduced travel tax. Children or Minors from 2 years and one (1) day to 12th birthday on date of travel. Accredited Filipino journalist whose travel is in pursuit of journalistic assignment and those authorized by the President of the Republic of the Philippines for reasons of national interest, are also entitled to avail the reduced travel tax.  Options  Custom Robots Tags default

The OFWs had always been the underdog when it comes to whom will the  favor be given by the recruiters who deployed them against their foreign principals. The recruiters often favor their clients, not the OFWs they deployed. That is extremely saddening. It had always been the practice, not until today.

The recent Supreme Court ruling can surely benefit the 12 million OFWs in 200 countries all over the world. Good news for the OFWs and a big bad news for the recruiters, especially the crooked ones.

All the 15 Justices en banc (except the Chief Justice who was on leave) of the Supreme Court, decided in favor of an illegally dismissed OFW working in Taiwan, and condemn many unfair practices to which our OFWs have been subjected to, for many decades by now. 
The 29-page decision penned by the youngest Justice, Mario Victor F. Leonen, former UP Law Professor and Mindanao Peace Process government negotiator, has it all scribed well. This was in SOPA Inc (real name witheld), versus Joy Cabiles, GR 170139 promulgated on 05 August 2014. This decision is precedent-setting and will definitely exasperate the recruitment industry.


1. The Supreme Court stressed that OFWs are entitled to security of tenure, no matter how some quarters classify them, whether contractual or employee with a predetermined tenure. At least, they have job security during their two-year contract period. 
 The OFWs had always been the underdog when it comes to whom will the  favor be given by the recruiters who deployed them against their foreign principals. The recruiters often favor their clients, not the OFWs they deployed. That is extremely saddening. It had always been the practice, not until today.  The recent Supreme Court ruling can surely benefit the 12 million OFWs in 200 countries all over the world. Good news for the OFWs and a big bad news for the recruiters, especially the crooked ones.  All the 15 Justices en banc (except the Chief Justice who was on leave) of the Supreme Court, decided in favor of an illegally dismissed OFW working in Taiwan, and condemn many unfair practices to which our OFWs have been subjected to, for many decades by now.  The 29-page decision penned by the youngest Justice, Mario Victor F. Leonen, former UP Law Professor and Mindanao Peace Process government negotiator, has it all scribed well. This was in SOPA Inc (real name witheld), versus Joy Cabiles, GR 170139 promulgated on 05 August 2014. This decision is precedent-setting and will definitely exasperate the recruitment industry.  1. The Supreme Court stressed that OFWs are entitled to security of tenure, no matter how some quarters classify them, whether contractual or employee with a predetermined tenure. At least, they have job security during their two-year contract period.   2. OFWs cannot be dismissed by the foreign employers without just causes, referring to the Labor Code, and such other causes provided in the contract approved by the Labor Attache and the POEA.  3. OFWs are entitled to due process.   4. The law of the Philippines, where the contract was executed shall govern, not the law of the host government.   5.  The Philippine recruiters are bound by the illegal acts of the foreign employer.   6. Since recruiters here are jointly and severally liable, they are obliged to pay in the entire extent of the liability. They can collect from their principal if ever they could.  7.  The illegally dismissed OFW shall be entitled to be paid for all the unpaid salaries for the entire unexpired portion of the contract, and should not be limited to three months.   That means that if after only one month, the 24 month-contract is breached by the employer by illegal dismissal, that employer, through the recruiter here, should pay for the unexpired 23 months. That means that if the OFW salary is one thousand dollars a month, he should be paid US$ 23,000.  8. The provision of RA 10022 that limits backwages to three months was declared unconstitutional.  9. The backwages shall be subject to a 12 percent interest in accordance with Section 15, in relation to 10, of RA 8042.   10. There should be reimbursement of her placement fees and other expenses.  Well, I am sure the recruiters will be very angry with this ruling but the Court is only doing its job. Justice Leonen said:  In  RA 10022 it mysteriously appears that, instead of improving on the protection for OFWs, it provided for a diminution of backwages. This scheme of limiting backwages has already been annulled by the Court in the Serrano case. But an anti-OFW insertion has been made somehow. Now the Court had it annulled again.  In an earlier case, Prieto ( 226 SCRA 232 ), Justice Cruz once wrote:  "While these workers may indeed have little defense against exploitation while they are abroad, that disadvantage must not continue to burden them when they return to their own territory to voice their muted complaint. There is no reason why, in their very own land, the protection of our own laws cannot be extended to them in full measure."   Justice Cruz told of the burdens carried by OFWs like breach of contract, maltreatment, rape, inadequate food, subhuman lodgings, insults and all forms of debasement in the hands of foreign employers.  Atty Joseph Jimenez, who wrote this article on The Freeman said:  "As a former Labor Attache assigned in Kuwait, Malaysia and Taiwan, these are not just words. These bring me to tears as I recall the sufferings of our OFWs. I salute the Supreme Court for this decision. At last, there is a ray of hope." Recalling the real situation of the OFWs in the host country where they are working. Recommended: Why OFWs Remain in Neck-deep Debts After Years Of Working Abroad? From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed.  To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad.  From application until they can actually leave the country, they spend big sum of money for it.  But after they were being able to finally work abroad, the story did not just end there. More often than not, the big sum of cash  they used to pay the recruitment agency fees cause them to suffer from indebtedness.  They were being charged and burdened with too much fees, which are not even compliant with the law. Because of their eagerness to work overseas, they immerse themselves to high interest loans for the sake of working abroad. The recruitment agencies play a big role why the OFWs are suffering from neck-deep debts. Even some licensed agencies, they freely exploit the vulnerability of the OFWs. Due to their greed to collect more cash from every OFWs that they deploy, it results to making the life of OFWs more miserable by burying them in debts.  The result of high fees collected by the agencies can even last even the OFWs have been deployed abroad. Some employers deduct it to their salaries for a number of months, leaving the OFWs broke when their much awaited salary comes.  But it doesn't end there. Some of these agencies conspire with their counterpart agencies to urge the foreign employers to cut the salary of the poor OFWs in their favor. That is of course, beyond the expectation of the OFWs.   Even before they leave, the promised salary is already computed and allocated. They have already planned how much they are going to send to their family back home. If the employer would cut the amount of the salary they are expecting to receive, the planned remittance will surely suffer, it includes the loans that they promised to be paid immediately on time when they finally work abroad.  There is such a situation that their family in the Philippines carry the burden of paying for these loans made by the OFW. For example. An OFW father that has found a mistress, which is a fellow OFW, who turned his back  to his family  and to his obligations to pay his loans made for the recruitment fees. The result, the poor family back home, aside from not receiving any remittance, they will be the ones who are obliged to pay the loans made by the OFW, adding weight to the emotional burden they already had aside from their daily needs.      Read: Common Money Mistakes Why Ofws remain Broke After Years Of Working Abroad   Source: Bandera/inquirer.net NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES  NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS  From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed. To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad.  NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH). If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission.  Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees.        Step 1. Prepare the following documents:  Certificate of Employment- stating  the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident.  EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee.  Medical Findings- should come from  the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted.     Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is;  1. Got sick: Request your company to provide  pre-employment medical check -up or  Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company.  2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.)  3 In case of Death:  Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age.      FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS   Step 3.  Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is  not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision.      Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.   Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH).  Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    How to File Employment Compensation for Private Workers If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission. If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission.  Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees.        Step 1. Prepare the following documents:  Certificate of Employment- stating  the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident.  EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee.  Medical Findings- should come from  the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted.     Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is;  1. Got sick: Request your company to provide  pre-employment medical check -up or  Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company.  2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.)  3 In case of Death:  Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age.      FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS   Step 3.  Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is  not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision.      Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.   Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH).  Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS   Requirements and Fees for Reduced Travel Tax for OFW Dependents What is a travel tax? According to TIEZA ( Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority), it is a levy imposed by the Philippine government on individuals who are leaving the Philippines, as provided for by Presidential Decree (PD) 1183.   A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. For an average Filipino like me, it’s quite pricey. Overseas Filipino Workers, diplomats and airline crew members are exempted from paying travel tax before but now, travel tax for OFWs are included in their air ticket prize and can be refunded later at the refund counter at NAIA.  However, OFW dependents can apply for  standard reduced travel tax. Children or Minors from 2 years and one (1) day to 12th birthday on date of travel.  Accredited Filipino journalist whose travel is in pursuit of journalistic assignment and   those authorized by the President of the Republic of the Philippines for reasons of national interest, are also entitled to avail the reduced travel tax.
2. OFWs cannot be dismissed by the foreign employers without just causes, referring to the Labor Code, and such other causes provided in the contract approved by the Labor Attache and the POEA.

3. OFWs are entitled to due process. 





4. The law of the Philippines, where the contract was executed shall govern, not the law of the host government. 
 The OFWs had always been the underdog when it comes to whom will the  favor be given by the recruiters who deployed them against their foreign principals. The recruiters often favor their clients, not the OFWs they deployed. That is extremely saddening. It had always been the practice, not until today.  The recent Supreme Court ruling can surely benefit the 12 million OFWs in 200 countries all over the world. Good news for the OFWs and a big bad news for the recruiters, especially the crooked ones.  All the 15 Justices en banc (except the Chief Justice who was on leave) of the Supreme Court, decided in favor of an illegally dismissed OFW working in Taiwan, and condemn many unfair practices to which our OFWs have been subjected to, for many decades by now.  The 29-page decision penned by the youngest Justice, Mario Victor F. Leonen, former UP Law Professor and Mindanao Peace Process government negotiator, has it all scribed well. This was in SOPA Inc (real name witheld), versus Joy Cabiles, GR 170139 promulgated on 05 August 2014. This decision is precedent-setting and will definitely exasperate the recruitment industry.  1. The Supreme Court stressed that OFWs are entitled to security of tenure, no matter how some quarters classify them, whether contractual or employee with a predetermined tenure. At least, they have job security during their two-year contract period.   2. OFWs cannot be dismissed by the foreign employers without just causes, referring to the Labor Code, and such other causes provided in the contract approved by the Labor Attache and the POEA.  3. OFWs are entitled to due process.   4. The law of the Philippines, where the contract was executed shall govern, not the law of the host government.   5.  The Philippine recruiters are bound by the illegal acts of the foreign employer.   6. Since recruiters here are jointly and severally liable, they are obliged to pay in the entire extent of the liability. They can collect from their principal if ever they could.  7.  The illegally dismissed OFW shall be entitled to be paid for all the unpaid salaries for the entire unexpired portion of the contract, and should not be limited to three months.   That means that if after only one month, the 24 month-contract is breached by the employer by illegal dismissal, that employer, through the recruiter here, should pay for the unexpired 23 months. That means that if the OFW salary is one thousand dollars a month, he should be paid US$ 23,000.  8. The provision of RA 10022 that limits backwages to three months was declared unconstitutional.  9. The backwages shall be subject to a 12 percent interest in accordance with Section 15, in relation to 10, of RA 8042.   10. There should be reimbursement of her placement fees and other expenses.  Well, I am sure the recruiters will be very angry with this ruling but the Court is only doing its job. Justice Leonen said:  In  RA 10022 it mysteriously appears that, instead of improving on the protection for OFWs, it provided for a diminution of backwages. This scheme of limiting backwages has already been annulled by the Court in the Serrano case. But an anti-OFW insertion has been made somehow. Now the Court had it annulled again.  In an earlier case, Prieto ( 226 SCRA 232 ), Justice Cruz once wrote:  "While these workers may indeed have little defense against exploitation while they are abroad, that disadvantage must not continue to burden them when they return to their own territory to voice their muted complaint. There is no reason why, in their very own land, the protection of our own laws cannot be extended to them in full measure."   Justice Cruz told of the burdens carried by OFWs like breach of contract, maltreatment, rape, inadequate food, subhuman lodgings, insults and all forms of debasement in the hands of foreign employers.  Atty Joseph Jimenez, who wrote this article on The Freeman said:  "As a former Labor Attache assigned in Kuwait, Malaysia and Taiwan, these are not just words. These bring me to tears as I recall the sufferings of our OFWs. I salute the Supreme Court for this decision. At last, there is a ray of hope." Recalling the real situation of the OFWs in the host country where they are working. Recommended: Why OFWs Remain in Neck-deep Debts After Years Of Working Abroad? From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed.  To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad.  From application until they can actually leave the country, they spend big sum of money for it.  But after they were being able to finally work abroad, the story did not just end there. More often than not, the big sum of cash  they used to pay the recruitment agency fees cause them to suffer from indebtedness.  They were being charged and burdened with too much fees, which are not even compliant with the law. Because of their eagerness to work overseas, they immerse themselves to high interest loans for the sake of working abroad. The recruitment agencies play a big role why the OFWs are suffering from neck-deep debts. Even some licensed agencies, they freely exploit the vulnerability of the OFWs. Due to their greed to collect more cash from every OFWs that they deploy, it results to making the life of OFWs more miserable by burying them in debts.  The result of high fees collected by the agencies can even last even the OFWs have been deployed abroad. Some employers deduct it to their salaries for a number of months, leaving the OFWs broke when their much awaited salary comes.  But it doesn't end there. Some of these agencies conspire with their counterpart agencies to urge the foreign employers to cut the salary of the poor OFWs in their favor. That is of course, beyond the expectation of the OFWs.   Even before they leave, the promised salary is already computed and allocated. They have already planned how much they are going to send to their family back home. If the employer would cut the amount of the salary they are expecting to receive, the planned remittance will surely suffer, it includes the loans that they promised to be paid immediately on time when they finally work abroad.  There is such a situation that their family in the Philippines carry the burden of paying for these loans made by the OFW. For example. An OFW father that has found a mistress, which is a fellow OFW, who turned his back  to his family  and to his obligations to pay his loans made for the recruitment fees. The result, the poor family back home, aside from not receiving any remittance, they will be the ones who are obliged to pay the loans made by the OFW, adding weight to the emotional burden they already had aside from their daily needs.      Read: Common Money Mistakes Why Ofws remain Broke After Years Of Working Abroad   Source: Bandera/inquirer.net NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES  NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS  From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed. To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad.  NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH). If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission.  Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees.        Step 1. Prepare the following documents:  Certificate of Employment- stating  the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident.  EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee.  Medical Findings- should come from  the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted.     Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is;  1. Got sick: Request your company to provide  pre-employment medical check -up or  Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company.  2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.)  3 In case of Death:  Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age.      FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS   Step 3.  Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is  not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision.      Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.   Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH).  Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    How to File Employment Compensation for Private Workers If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission. If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission.  Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees.        Step 1. Prepare the following documents:  Certificate of Employment- stating  the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident.  EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee.  Medical Findings- should come from  the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted.     Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is;  1. Got sick: Request your company to provide  pre-employment medical check -up or  Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company.  2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.)  3 In case of Death:  Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age.      FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS   Step 3.  Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is  not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision.      Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.   Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH).  Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS   Requirements and Fees for Reduced Travel Tax for OFW Dependents What is a travel tax? According to TIEZA ( Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority), it is a levy imposed by the Philippine government on individuals who are leaving the Philippines, as provided for by Presidential Decree (PD) 1183.   A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. For an average Filipino like me, it’s quite pricey. Overseas Filipino Workers, diplomats and airline crew members are exempted from paying travel tax before but now, travel tax for OFWs are included in their air ticket prize and can be refunded later at the refund counter at NAIA.  However, OFW dependents can apply for  standard reduced travel tax. Children or Minors from 2 years and one (1) day to 12th birthday on date of travel.  Accredited Filipino journalist whose travel is in pursuit of journalistic assignment and   those authorized by the President of the Republic of the Philippines for reasons of national interest, are also entitled to avail the reduced travel tax.
5.  The Philippine recruiters are bound by the illegal acts of the foreign employer. 

6. Since recruiters here are jointly and severally liable, they are obliged to pay in the entire extent of the liability. They can collect from their principal if ever they could.


7.  The illegally dismissed OFW shall be entitled to be paid for all the unpaid salaries for the entire unexpired portion of the contract, and should not be limited to three months. 

 The OFWs had always been the underdog when it comes to whom will the  favor be given by the recruiters who deployed them against their foreign principals. The recruiters often favor their clients, not the OFWs they deployed. That is extremely saddening. It had always been the practice, not until today.  The recent Supreme Court ruling can surely benefit the 12 million OFWs in 200 countries all over the world. Good news for the OFWs and a big bad news for the recruiters, especially the crooked ones.  All the 15 Justices en banc (except the Chief Justice who was on leave) of the Supreme Court, decided in favor of an illegally dismissed OFW working in Taiwan, and condemn many unfair practices to which our OFWs have been subjected to, for many decades by now.  The 29-page decision penned by the youngest Justice, Mario Victor F. Leonen, former UP Law Professor and Mindanao Peace Process government negotiator, has it all scribed well. This was in SOPA Inc (real name witheld), versus Joy Cabiles, GR 170139 promulgated on 05 August 2014. This decision is precedent-setting and will definitely exasperate the recruitment industry.  1. The Supreme Court stressed that OFWs are entitled to security of tenure, no matter how some quarters classify them, whether contractual or employee with a predetermined tenure. At least, they have job security during their two-year contract period.   2. OFWs cannot be dismissed by the foreign employers without just causes, referring to the Labor Code, and such other causes provided in the contract approved by the Labor Attache and the POEA.  3. OFWs are entitled to due process.   4. The law of the Philippines, where the contract was executed shall govern, not the law of the host government.   5.  The Philippine recruiters are bound by the illegal acts of the foreign employer.   6. Since recruiters here are jointly and severally liable, they are obliged to pay in the entire extent of the liability. They can collect from their principal if ever they could.  7.  The illegally dismissed OFW shall be entitled to be paid for all the unpaid salaries for the entire unexpired portion of the contract, and should not be limited to three months.   That means that if after only one month, the 24 month-contract is breached by the employer by illegal dismissal, that employer, through the recruiter here, should pay for the unexpired 23 months. That means that if the OFW salary is one thousand dollars a month, he should be paid US$ 23,000.  8. The provision of RA 10022 that limits backwages to three months was declared unconstitutional.  9. The backwages shall be subject to a 12 percent interest in accordance with Section 15, in relation to 10, of RA 8042.   10. There should be reimbursement of her placement fees and other expenses.  Well, I am sure the recruiters will be very angry with this ruling but the Court is only doing its job. Justice Leonen said:  In  RA 10022 it mysteriously appears that, instead of improving on the protection for OFWs, it provided for a diminution of backwages. This scheme of limiting backwages has already been annulled by the Court in the Serrano case. But an anti-OFW insertion has been made somehow. Now the Court had it annulled again.  In an earlier case, Prieto ( 226 SCRA 232 ), Justice Cruz once wrote:  "While these workers may indeed have little defense against exploitation while they are abroad, that disadvantage must not continue to burden them when they return to their own territory to voice their muted complaint. There is no reason why, in their very own land, the protection of our own laws cannot be extended to them in full measure."   Justice Cruz told of the burdens carried by OFWs like breach of contract, maltreatment, rape, inadequate food, subhuman lodgings, insults and all forms of debasement in the hands of foreign employers.  Atty Joseph Jimenez, who wrote this article on The Freeman said:  "As a former Labor Attache assigned in Kuwait, Malaysia and Taiwan, these are not just words. These bring me to tears as I recall the sufferings of our OFWs. I salute the Supreme Court for this decision. At last, there is a ray of hope." Recalling the real situation of the OFWs in the host country where they are working. Recommended: Why OFWs Remain in Neck-deep Debts After Years Of Working Abroad? From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed.  To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad.  From application until they can actually leave the country, they spend big sum of money for it.  But after they were being able to finally work abroad, the story did not just end there. More often than not, the big sum of cash  they used to pay the recruitment agency fees cause them to suffer from indebtedness.  They were being charged and burdened with too much fees, which are not even compliant with the law. Because of their eagerness to work overseas, they immerse themselves to high interest loans for the sake of working abroad. The recruitment agencies play a big role why the OFWs are suffering from neck-deep debts. Even some licensed agencies, they freely exploit the vulnerability of the OFWs. Due to their greed to collect more cash from every OFWs that they deploy, it results to making the life of OFWs more miserable by burying them in debts.  The result of high fees collected by the agencies can even last even the OFWs have been deployed abroad. Some employers deduct it to their salaries for a number of months, leaving the OFWs broke when their much awaited salary comes.  But it doesn't end there. Some of these agencies conspire with their counterpart agencies to urge the foreign employers to cut the salary of the poor OFWs in their favor. That is of course, beyond the expectation of the OFWs.   Even before they leave, the promised salary is already computed and allocated. They have already planned how much they are going to send to their family back home. If the employer would cut the amount of the salary they are expecting to receive, the planned remittance will surely suffer, it includes the loans that they promised to be paid immediately on time when they finally work abroad.  There is such a situation that their family in the Philippines carry the burden of paying for these loans made by the OFW. For example. An OFW father that has found a mistress, which is a fellow OFW, who turned his back  to his family  and to his obligations to pay his loans made for the recruitment fees. The result, the poor family back home, aside from not receiving any remittance, they will be the ones who are obliged to pay the loans made by the OFW, adding weight to the emotional burden they already had aside from their daily needs.      Read: Common Money Mistakes Why Ofws remain Broke After Years Of Working Abroad   Source: Bandera/inquirer.net NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES  NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS  From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed. To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad.  NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH). If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission.  Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees.        Step 1. Prepare the following documents:  Certificate of Employment- stating  the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident.  EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee.  Medical Findings- should come from  the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted.     Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is;  1. Got sick: Request your company to provide  pre-employment medical check -up or  Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company.  2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.)  3 In case of Death:  Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age.      FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS   Step 3.  Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is  not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision.      Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.   Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH).  Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    How to File Employment Compensation for Private Workers If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission. If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission.  Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees.        Step 1. Prepare the following documents:  Certificate of Employment- stating  the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident.  EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee.  Medical Findings- should come from  the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted.     Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is;  1. Got sick: Request your company to provide  pre-employment medical check -up or  Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company.  2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.)  3 In case of Death:  Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age.      FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS   Step 3.  Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is  not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision.      Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.   Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH).  Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS   Requirements and Fees for Reduced Travel Tax for OFW Dependents What is a travel tax? According to TIEZA ( Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority), it is a levy imposed by the Philippine government on individuals who are leaving the Philippines, as provided for by Presidential Decree (PD) 1183.   A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. For an average Filipino like me, it’s quite pricey. Overseas Filipino Workers, diplomats and airline crew members are exempted from paying travel tax before but now, travel tax for OFWs are included in their air ticket prize and can be refunded later at the refund counter at NAIA.  However, OFW dependents can apply for  standard reduced travel tax. Children or Minors from 2 years and one (1) day to 12th birthday on date of travel.  Accredited Filipino journalist whose travel is in pursuit of journalistic assignment and   those authorized by the President of the Republic of the Philippines for reasons of national interest, are also entitled to avail the reduced travel tax.
That means that if after only one month, the 24 month-contract is breached by the employer by illegal dismissal, that employer, through the recruiter here, should pay for the unexpired 23 months. That means that if the OFW salary is one thousand dollars a month, he should be paid US$ 23,000. 


8. The provision of RA 10022 that limits backwages to three months was declared unconstitutional.

9. The backwages shall be subject to a 12 percent interest in accordance with Section 15, in relation to 10, of RA 8042. 


10. There should be reimbursement of her placement fees and other expenses.

 The OFWs had always been the underdog when it comes to whom will the  favor be given by the recruiters who deployed them against their foreign principals. The recruiters often favor their clients, not the OFWs they deployed. That is extremely saddening. It had always been the practice, not until today.  The recent Supreme Court ruling can surely benefit the 12 million OFWs in 200 countries all over the world. Good news for the OFWs and a big bad news for the recruiters, especially the crooked ones.  All the 15 Justices en banc (except the Chief Justice who was on leave) of the Supreme Court, decided in favor of an illegally dismissed OFW working in Taiwan, and condemn many unfair practices to which our OFWs have been subjected to, for many decades by now.  The 29-page decision penned by the youngest Justice, Mario Victor F. Leonen, former UP Law Professor and Mindanao Peace Process government negotiator, has it all scribed well. This was in SOPA Inc (real name witheld), versus Joy Cabiles, GR 170139 promulgated on 05 August 2014. This decision is precedent-setting and will definitely exasperate the recruitment industry.  1. The Supreme Court stressed that OFWs are entitled to security of tenure, no matter how some quarters classify them, whether contractual or employee with a predetermined tenure. At least, they have job security during their two-year contract period.   2. OFWs cannot be dismissed by the foreign employers without just causes, referring to the Labor Code, and such other causes provided in the contract approved by the Labor Attache and the POEA.  3. OFWs are entitled to due process.   4. The law of the Philippines, where the contract was executed shall govern, not the law of the host government.   5.  The Philippine recruiters are bound by the illegal acts of the foreign employer.   6. Since recruiters here are jointly and severally liable, they are obliged to pay in the entire extent of the liability. They can collect from their principal if ever they could.  7.  The illegally dismissed OFW shall be entitled to be paid for all the unpaid salaries for the entire unexpired portion of the contract, and should not be limited to three months.   That means that if after only one month, the 24 month-contract is breached by the employer by illegal dismissal, that employer, through the recruiter here, should pay for the unexpired 23 months. That means that if the OFW salary is one thousand dollars a month, he should be paid US$ 23,000.  8. The provision of RA 10022 that limits backwages to three months was declared unconstitutional.  9. The backwages shall be subject to a 12 percent interest in accordance with Section 15, in relation to 10, of RA 8042.   10. There should be reimbursement of her placement fees and other expenses.  Well, I am sure the recruiters will be very angry with this ruling but the Court is only doing its job. Justice Leonen said:  In  RA 10022 it mysteriously appears that, instead of improving on the protection for OFWs, it provided for a diminution of backwages. This scheme of limiting backwages has already been annulled by the Court in the Serrano case. But an anti-OFW insertion has been made somehow. Now the Court had it annulled again.  In an earlier case, Prieto ( 226 SCRA 232 ), Justice Cruz once wrote:  "While these workers may indeed have little defense against exploitation while they are abroad, that disadvantage must not continue to burden them when they return to their own territory to voice their muted complaint. There is no reason why, in their very own land, the protection of our own laws cannot be extended to them in full measure."   Justice Cruz told of the burdens carried by OFWs like breach of contract, maltreatment, rape, inadequate food, subhuman lodgings, insults and all forms of debasement in the hands of foreign employers.  Atty Joseph Jimenez, who wrote this article on The Freeman said:  "As a former Labor Attache assigned in Kuwait, Malaysia and Taiwan, these are not just words. These bring me to tears as I recall the sufferings of our OFWs. I salute the Supreme Court for this decision. At last, there is a ray of hope." Recalling the real situation of the OFWs in the host country where they are working. Recommended: Why OFWs Remain in Neck-deep Debts After Years Of Working Abroad? From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed.  To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad.  From application until they can actually leave the country, they spend big sum of money for it.  But after they were being able to finally work abroad, the story did not just end there. More often than not, the big sum of cash  they used to pay the recruitment agency fees cause them to suffer from indebtedness.  They were being charged and burdened with too much fees, which are not even compliant with the law. Because of their eagerness to work overseas, they immerse themselves to high interest loans for the sake of working abroad. The recruitment agencies play a big role why the OFWs are suffering from neck-deep debts. Even some licensed agencies, they freely exploit the vulnerability of the OFWs. Due to their greed to collect more cash from every OFWs that they deploy, it results to making the life of OFWs more miserable by burying them in debts.  The result of high fees collected by the agencies can even last even the OFWs have been deployed abroad. Some employers deduct it to their salaries for a number of months, leaving the OFWs broke when their much awaited salary comes.  But it doesn't end there. Some of these agencies conspire with their counterpart agencies to urge the foreign employers to cut the salary of the poor OFWs in their favor. That is of course, beyond the expectation of the OFWs.   Even before they leave, the promised salary is already computed and allocated. They have already planned how much they are going to send to their family back home. If the employer would cut the amount of the salary they are expecting to receive, the planned remittance will surely suffer, it includes the loans that they promised to be paid immediately on time when they finally work abroad.  There is such a situation that their family in the Philippines carry the burden of paying for these loans made by the OFW. For example. An OFW father that has found a mistress, which is a fellow OFW, who turned his back  to his family  and to his obligations to pay his loans made for the recruitment fees. The result, the poor family back home, aside from not receiving any remittance, they will be the ones who are obliged to pay the loans made by the OFW, adding weight to the emotional burden they already had aside from their daily needs.      Read: Common Money Mistakes Why Ofws remain Broke After Years Of Working Abroad   Source: Bandera/inquirer.net NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES  NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS  From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed. To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad.  NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH). If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission.  Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees.        Step 1. Prepare the following documents:  Certificate of Employment- stating  the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident.  EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee.  Medical Findings- should come from  the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted.     Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is;  1. Got sick: Request your company to provide  pre-employment medical check -up or  Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company.  2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.)  3 In case of Death:  Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age.      FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS   Step 3.  Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is  not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision.      Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.   Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH).  Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    How to File Employment Compensation for Private Workers If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission. If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission.  Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees.        Step 1. Prepare the following documents:  Certificate of Employment- stating  the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident.  EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee.  Medical Findings- should come from  the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted.     Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is;  1. Got sick: Request your company to provide  pre-employment medical check -up or  Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company.  2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.)  3 In case of Death:  Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age.      FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS   Step 3.  Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is  not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision.      Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.   Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH).  Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS   Requirements and Fees for Reduced Travel Tax for OFW Dependents What is a travel tax? According to TIEZA ( Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority), it is a levy imposed by the Philippine government on individuals who are leaving the Philippines, as provided for by Presidential Decree (PD) 1183.   A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. For an average Filipino like me, it’s quite pricey. Overseas Filipino Workers, diplomats and airline crew members are exempted from paying travel tax before but now, travel tax for OFWs are included in their air ticket prize and can be refunded later at the refund counter at NAIA.  However, OFW dependents can apply for  standard reduced travel tax. Children or Minors from 2 years and one (1) day to 12th birthday on date of travel.  Accredited Filipino journalist whose travel is in pursuit of journalistic assignment and   those authorized by the President of the Republic of the Philippines for reasons of national interest, are also entitled to avail the reduced travel tax.
Well, I am sure the recruiters will be very angry with this ruling but the Court is only doing its job. Justice Leonen said:
 The OFWs had always been the underdog when it comes to whom will the  favor be given by the recruiters who deployed them against their foreign principals. The recruiters often favor their clients, not the OFWs they deployed. That is extremely saddening. It had always been the practice, not until today.  The recent Supreme Court ruling can surely benefit the 12 million OFWs in 200 countries all over the world. Good news for the OFWs and a big bad news for the recruiters, especially the crooked ones.  All the 15 Justices en banc (except the Chief Justice who was on leave) of the Supreme Court, decided in favor of an illegally dismissed OFW working in Taiwan, and condemn many unfair practices to which our OFWs have been subjected to, for many decades by now.  The 29-page decision penned by the youngest Justice, Mario Victor F. Leonen, former UP Law Professor and Mindanao Peace Process government negotiator, has it all scribed well. This was in SOPA Inc (real name witheld), versus Joy Cabiles, GR 170139 promulgated on 05 August 2014. This decision is precedent-setting and will definitely exasperate the recruitment industry.  1. The Supreme Court stressed that OFWs are entitled to security of tenure, no matter how some quarters classify them, whether contractual or employee with a predetermined tenure. At least, they have job security during their two-year contract period.   2. OFWs cannot be dismissed by the foreign employers without just causes, referring to the Labor Code, and such other causes provided in the contract approved by the Labor Attache and the POEA.  3. OFWs are entitled to due process.   4. The law of the Philippines, where the contract was executed shall govern, not the law of the host government.   5.  The Philippine recruiters are bound by the illegal acts of the foreign employer.   6. Since recruiters here are jointly and severally liable, they are obliged to pay in the entire extent of the liability. They can collect from their principal if ever they could.  7.  The illegally dismissed OFW shall be entitled to be paid for all the unpaid salaries for the entire unexpired portion of the contract, and should not be limited to three months.   That means that if after only one month, the 24 month-contract is breached by the employer by illegal dismissal, that employer, through the recruiter here, should pay for the unexpired 23 months. That means that if the OFW salary is one thousand dollars a month, he should be paid US$ 23,000.  8. The provision of RA 10022 that limits backwages to three months was declared unconstitutional.  9. The backwages shall be subject to a 12 percent interest in accordance with Section 15, in relation to 10, of RA 8042.   10. There should be reimbursement of her placement fees and other expenses.  Well, I am sure the recruiters will be very angry with this ruling but the Court is only doing its job. Justice Leonen said:  In  RA 10022 it mysteriously appears that, instead of improving on the protection for OFWs, it provided for a diminution of backwages. This scheme of limiting backwages has already been annulled by the Court in the Serrano case. But an anti-OFW insertion has been made somehow. Now the Court had it annulled again.  In an earlier case, Prieto ( 226 SCRA 232 ), Justice Cruz once wrote:  "While these workers may indeed have little defense against exploitation while they are abroad, that disadvantage must not continue to burden them when they return to their own territory to voice their muted complaint. There is no reason why, in their very own land, the protection of our own laws cannot be extended to them in full measure."   Justice Cruz told of the burdens carried by OFWs like breach of contract, maltreatment, rape, inadequate food, subhuman lodgings, insults and all forms of debasement in the hands of foreign employers.  Atty Joseph Jimenez, who wrote this article on The Freeman said:  "As a former Labor Attache assigned in Kuwait, Malaysia and Taiwan, these are not just words. These bring me to tears as I recall the sufferings of our OFWs. I salute the Supreme Court for this decision. At last, there is a ray of hope." Recalling the real situation of the OFWs in the host country where they are working. Recommended: Why OFWs Remain in Neck-deep Debts After Years Of Working Abroad? From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed.  To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad.  From application until they can actually leave the country, they spend big sum of money for it.  But after they were being able to finally work abroad, the story did not just end there. More often than not, the big sum of cash  they used to pay the recruitment agency fees cause them to suffer from indebtedness.  They were being charged and burdened with too much fees, which are not even compliant with the law. Because of their eagerness to work overseas, they immerse themselves to high interest loans for the sake of working abroad. The recruitment agencies play a big role why the OFWs are suffering from neck-deep debts. Even some licensed agencies, they freely exploit the vulnerability of the OFWs. Due to their greed to collect more cash from every OFWs that they deploy, it results to making the life of OFWs more miserable by burying them in debts.  The result of high fees collected by the agencies can even last even the OFWs have been deployed abroad. Some employers deduct it to their salaries for a number of months, leaving the OFWs broke when their much awaited salary comes.  But it doesn't end there. Some of these agencies conspire with their counterpart agencies to urge the foreign employers to cut the salary of the poor OFWs in their favor. That is of course, beyond the expectation of the OFWs.   Even before they leave, the promised salary is already computed and allocated. They have already planned how much they are going to send to their family back home. If the employer would cut the amount of the salary they are expecting to receive, the planned remittance will surely suffer, it includes the loans that they promised to be paid immediately on time when they finally work abroad.  There is such a situation that their family in the Philippines carry the burden of paying for these loans made by the OFW. For example. An OFW father that has found a mistress, which is a fellow OFW, who turned his back  to his family  and to his obligations to pay his loans made for the recruitment fees. The result, the poor family back home, aside from not receiving any remittance, they will be the ones who are obliged to pay the loans made by the OFW, adding weight to the emotional burden they already had aside from their daily needs.      Read: Common Money Mistakes Why Ofws remain Broke After Years Of Working Abroad   Source: Bandera/inquirer.net NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES  NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS  From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed. To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad.  NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH). If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission.  Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees.        Step 1. Prepare the following documents:  Certificate of Employment- stating  the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident.  EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee.  Medical Findings- should come from  the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted.     Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is;  1. Got sick: Request your company to provide  pre-employment medical check -up or  Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company.  2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.)  3 In case of Death:  Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age.      FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS   Step 3.  Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is  not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision.      Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.   Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH).  Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    How to File Employment Compensation for Private Workers If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission. If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission.  Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees.        Step 1. Prepare the following documents:  Certificate of Employment- stating  the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident.  EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee.  Medical Findings- should come from  the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted.     Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is;  1. Got sick: Request your company to provide  pre-employment medical check -up or  Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company.  2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.)  3 In case of Death:  Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age.      FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS   Step 3.  Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is  not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision.      Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.   Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH).  Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS   Requirements and Fees for Reduced Travel Tax for OFW Dependents What is a travel tax? According to TIEZA ( Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority), it is a levy imposed by the Philippine government on individuals who are leaving the Philippines, as provided for by Presidential Decree (PD) 1183.   A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. For an average Filipino like me, it’s quite pricey. Overseas Filipino Workers, diplomats and airline crew members are exempted from paying travel tax before but now, travel tax for OFWs are included in their air ticket prize and can be refunded later at the refund counter at NAIA.  However, OFW dependents can apply for  standard reduced travel tax. Children or Minors from 2 years and one (1) day to 12th birthday on date of travel.  Accredited Filipino journalist whose travel is in pursuit of journalistic assignment and   those authorized by the President of the Republic of the Philippines for reasons of national interest, are also entitled to avail the reduced travel tax.
In  RA 10022 it mysteriously appears that, instead of improving on the protection for OFWs, it provided for a diminution of backwages. This scheme of limiting backwages has already been annulled by the Court in the Serrano case. But an anti-OFW insertion has been made somehow. Now the Court had it annulled again.

In an earlier case, Prieto ( 226 SCRA 232 ), Justice Cruz once wrote: 
"While these workers may indeed have little defense against exploitation while they are abroad, that disadvantage must not continue to burden them when they return to their own territory to voice their muted complaint. There is no reason why, in their very own land, the protection of our own laws cannot be extended to them in full measure."

 Justice Cruz told of the burdens carried by OFWs like breach of contract, maltreatment, rape, inadequate food, subhuman lodgings, insults and all forms of debasement in the hands of foreign employers.

Atty Joseph Jimenez, who wrote this article on The Freeman said:  "As a former Labor Attache assigned in Kuwait, Malaysia and Taiwan, these are not just words. These bring me to tears as I recall the sufferings of our OFWs. I salute the Supreme Court for this decision.
At last, there is a ray of hope." 
Recalling the real situation of the OFWs in the host country where they are working.


This article is filed under: OFW News, Supreme Court Ruling, OFW Recruiters, OFW Recruitment

Recommended:
Why OFWs Remain in Neck-deep Debts After Years Of Working Abroad?
From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed.  To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad.  From application until they can actually leave the country, they spend big sum of money for it.  But after they were being able to finally work abroad, the story did not just end there. More often than not, the big sum of cash  they used to pay the recruitment agency fees cause them to suffer from indebtedness.  They were being charged and burdened with too much fees, which are not even compliant with the law. Because of their eagerness to work overseas, they immerse themselves to high interest loans for the sake of working abroad. The recruitment agencies play a big role why the OFWs are suffering from neck-deep debts. Even some licensed agencies, they freely exploit the vulnerability of the OFWs. Due to their greed to collect more cash from every OFWs that they deploy, it results to making the life of OFWs more miserable by burying them in debts.  The result of high fees collected by the agencies can even last even the OFWs have been deployed abroad. Some employers deduct it to their salaries for a number of months, leaving the OFWs broke when their much awaited salary comes.  But it doesn't end there. Some of these agencies conspire with their counterpart agencies to urge the foreign employers to cut the salary of the poor OFWs in their favor. That is of course, beyond the expectation of the OFWs.   Even before they leave, the promised salary is already computed and allocated. They have already planned how much they are going to send to their family back home. If the employer would cut the amount of the salary they are expecting to receive, the planned remittance will surely suffer, it includes the loans that they promised to be paid immediately on time when they finally work abroad.  There is such a situation that their family in the Philippines carry the burden of paying for these loans made by the OFW. For example. An OFW father that has found a mistress, which is a fellow OFW, who turned his back  to his family  and to his obligations to pay his loans made for the recruitment fees. The result, the poor family back home, aside from not receiving any remittance, they will be the ones who are obliged to pay the loans made by the OFW, adding weight to the emotional burden they already had aside from their daily needs.      Read: Common Money Mistakes Why Ofws remain Broke After Years Of Working Abroad   Source: Bandera/inquirer.net NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES  NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS

From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed. To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad.


NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES
In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. 

Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS

NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE
In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH).

If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission.  Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees.        Step 1. Prepare the following documents:  Certificate of Employment- stating  the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident.  EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee.  Medical Findings- should come from  the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted.     Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is;  1. Got sick: Request your company to provide  pre-employment medical check -up or  Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company.  2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.)  3 In case of Death:  Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age.      FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS   Step 3.  Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is  not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision.      Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.   Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH).  Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS

How to File Employment Compensation for Private Workers
If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission.
If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission.  Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees.        Step 1. Prepare the following documents:  Certificate of Employment- stating  the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident.  EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee.  Medical Findings- should come from  the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted.     Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is;  1. Got sick: Request your company to provide  pre-employment medical check -up or  Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company.  2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.)  3 In case of Death:  Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age.      FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS   Step 3.  Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is  not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision.      Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.   Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte  has already approved the establishment of  the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside.  The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007.  Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram  and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made.                RECOMMENDED  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS    NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH).  Read more: https://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR   EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD  TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT  BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!  RELOCATING NAIA  THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA  DUTERTE WARNING  NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT    HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS
Requirements and Fees for Reduced Travel Tax for OFW Dependents

What is a travel tax?
According to TIEZA ( Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority), it is a levy imposed by the Philippine government on individuals who are leaving the Philippines, as provided for by Presidential Decree (PD) 1183. 

A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. For an average Filipino like me, it’s quite pricey. Overseas Filipino Workers, diplomats and airline crew members are exempted from paying travel tax before but now, travel tax for OFWs are included in their air ticket prize and can be refunded later at the refund counter at NAIA.

However, OFW dependents can apply for  standard reduced travel tax. Children or Minors from 2 years and one (1) day to 12th birthday on date of travel.

Accredited Filipino journalist whose travel is in pursuit of journalistic assignment and 
If you will travel anywhere in the world from the Philippines, you must be aware about the travel tax that you need to settle before your flight.  What is a travel tax? According to TIEZA ( Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority), it is a levy imposed by the Philippine government on individuals who are leaving the Philippines, as provided for by Presidential Decree (PD) 1183.   A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. For an average Filipino like me, it’s quite pricey. Overseas Filipino Workers, diplomats and airline crew members are exempted from paying travel tax before but now, travel tax for OFWs are included in their air ticket prize and can be refunded later at the refund counter at NAIA.  However, OFW dependents can apply for  standard reduced travel tax. Children or Minors from 2 years and one (1) day to 12th birthday on date of travel.  Accredited Filipino journalist whose travel is in pursuit of journalistic assignment and   those authorized by the President of the Republic of the Philippines for reasons of national interest, are also entitled to avail the reduced travel tax.           For privileged reduce travel tax, the legitimate spouse and unmarried children (below 21 years old) of the OFWs are qualified to avail.   How much can you save if you avail of the reduced travel tax?  A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. Paying it in full can be costly. With the reduced travel tax policy, your travel tax has been cut roughly by 50 percent for the standard reduced rate and further lower  for the privileged reduce rate.  How much is the Reduced Travel Tax?  First Class Economy Standard Reduced Rate P1,350.00 P810.00 Privileged Reduced Rate    P400.00 P300.00  Image from TIEZA
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