Señeres Gives 3 Conditions For Duterte To Be His Substitute Candidate

OFW Family Party List Representative Roy Señeres said today that he is open to the possibility that Mayor Duterte would substitute him as the Presidential candidate. However, he mentioned 3 conditions must be met. 

In order for this substitution to happen in case the conditions set by Señeres are met, according to the Commission on Elections, the substitute candidate, and the one withdrawing from Presidential bid should come from the same party or coalition. In line with this Señeres added “He (Duterte) could swear an oath of allegiance to the FPP. As a member, he could run for any position he pleases. No one’s stopping him from switching parties”.

Few days ago, he had a radio interview where he also said that they (Duterte and Señeres) should talk regarding supporting each other and he explained why he believes Sen. Grace Poe should be allowed to run.  

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

THE OFW FAMILY PARTY-LIST OPPOSES THE INTEGRATION OF THE TERMINAL FEE INTO AIRLINE TICKETS

The office of the OFW Family Partylist, Congressman, former Ambassador to the UAE, Roy Seneres, Sr. release this statement in their Facebook page opposing the integration of the terminal fee P550 for each OFWs plane tickets. 

****************************

THE OFW FAMILY PARTY-LIST OPPOSES THE INTEGRATION OF THE TERMINAL FEE INTO AIRLINE TICKETS

The OFW Family Party-List strongly denounces the new policy to include the 550 pesos terminal fee in the purchased tickets of outgoing passengers on international flights as announced by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

“Overseas Filipino Workers are exempted from paying terminal fees on international flights as mandated by law – the Republic Act 10022, otherwise known as the Amended Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, and no department policy can rise above this law,” according to OFW Family Party-List Representative Roy Señeres.

Señeres says that the plan to have the terminal fee refunded by OFWs at the airport has already been met with a lot of confusion and opposition by OFWs and members of the recruitment industry. In usual practice, it is the recruitment agency or employer who pays for the airline ticket, therefore it creates a problem for the OFW passenger who might be forced by the agency or employer to shoulder the payment of the terminal fee. OFWs are already required to pay so many fees prior to departure and to impose an additional payment for the terminal fee, even if it can be refunded, is an unwelcome development.

Also, OFWs are already pressed for time as it is, especially those on emergency leave, and lining up at the refund counters will add an additional burden to an already stressful series of procedures they have to undergo at the airport. Another concern is what would happen to the terminal fees which will remain unclaimed by those OFWs who will not have the time to refund it, as it could give rise to speculations of misuse and corruption.

The airline ticketing outlets should instead consider making it an option for those passengers required to pay the terminal fee to pay for it at the point of purchase if they prefer not to line up at the NAIA terminal fee counter.

“We support the call of the Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards, Global OFW Voices, Blas Ople Center, Center for Migrants Advocacy, LBS, FMW Group, members of the recruitment industry as well as other notable OFW groups we have consulted with to scrap this policy and instead have the DOTC and MIAA find other means to make the procedures at the airport more efficient, particularly at the immigration counters where most of the long queues are concentrated,” added Señeres.

The OFW sector is open to discussing this issue with MIAA to arrive at an acceptable solution without compromising the rights and welfare of OFWs.

--END--

©2014 THOUGHTSKOTO

HOUSE BILL NO. 3576 MANDATORY TO SEND SUPPORT TO HIS OR HER LEGAL DEPENDENTS AS REQUIRED BY EXISTING LAWS

ANONG MASASABI NIYO MGA KABAYAN?

Ang kinatawan ng OFW Family Partylist na si Rep Roy V. Seneres ay nagfile ng House Bill 3576 na nagbibigay sa mga Ambassadors, Consul Generals, Charge d' Affairs ng karapatan para direktahan ang isang OFW na magpadala ng parte ng kanyang kinikita sa kanyang mga mga legal na dependents na naiwan sa Pilipinas dahil kung hindi ay posible itong maharang at hindi makapagrenew ng passport.

Ayun kay Seneres ang hindi pagpapadala ay likas na sa mga land based na OFWs hindi kagaya ng mga seaman na nagtratrabaho sa ibang bansa, at ang mga land based ay hindi sakop ng batas na NIREREQUIRE sa kanila na magremit ng kanilang sahod sa mga pamilya sa Pinas. 

Sa ilalim ng HB 3576, ang mga OFW ay mandatory na sundin ang batas na magpadala ng materyal, pinansiyal at moral na suporta sa mga miyembro ng kanilang pamilya sa Pilipinas habang nasa abroad. 

Ang bill ay nagbibigay ng karapatan sa Department of Foreign Affairs o DFA na kailangan ang isang OFW ay magbigay ng PROOF OF REMITTANCE  bilang requirement sa pagrerenew ng passport. Sa proposal na batas, kailangan rin ang mga kumpirmadong bank remittance, o resibo ng padala o Sworn Statement mula sa dependent na ang suporta ay binibigay nga at naibibigay nga sa kanila.

BASAHIN ANG KABUUANG BATAS DITO

HOUSE BILL NO. 3576 by OFW FAMILY PARTYLIST REPRESENTATIVE ROY SENERES

Principal Author: SEÑERES, ROY V.

Main Referral: OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS

Status: Pending with the Committee on OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS since 2013-12-16

AN ACT AUTHORIZING AMBASSADORS, CONSUL GENERALS, CHIEFS OF MISSIONS OR CHARGE D’ AFFAIRS TO ORDER AND DIRECT AN OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKER (OFW) TO SEND SUPPORT TO HIS OR HER LEGAL DEPENDENTS AS REQUIRED BY EXISTING LAWS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Remittance of Foreign Exchange Earnings. – Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), whether sea-based or land-based are required to remit regularly a portion of their foreign exchange earnings to their family or legal dependent recipient in the Philippines through the Philippine banking system or any authorized credit unions, money transfer operators or through the postal mail. Private employment agencies and other entities authorized by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to recruit Filipino workers for overseas employment are similarly required to assist OFWs in the remittance of their foreign exchange earnings as provided for in this Act.

SEC. 2. Obligations and Duties of Overseas Filipino Workers. – It shall be the obligation and duty of every OFW to continue to observe and respect the laws, customs, traditions and practices of the Philippines wherever they may be. It shall also be the obligation and duty of every OFW to provide material or financial and moral support to one’s family or dependent in the Philippines during the period of overseas employment.

SEC. 3. Designated Recipient of Support. –The designated recipient of support of the OFW shall be one of those entitled to support from the OFW under existing laws. The designation of a recipient or dependent shall be in accordance with the enumeration in Article 195 of Executive Order No. 209, otherwise known as the “Family Code of the Philippines” which pertains to those who are obliged to support each other.

SEC. 4. Proof of Remittance. – For purposes of this Act, proof of compliance with the mandatory remittance requirement as mentioned in Section 1 hereof, may consist of any of the following documents showing that the OFW had in fact effected the aforesaid remittance to his or her designated recipient or dependent:
a) Confirmed bank (foreign) remittance receipt;
b) Receipt of International Postal Money Order;
c)  A Sworn Statement from the dependent that said support has already been satisfied and/or settled;

SEC. 5. Ambassadors, Consul Generals, Chiefs of Mission or Charge d’ Affairs Authorized to Withhold Renewal or Approval of Passport. – Passports issued to OFWs may be renewed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) upon submission of the usual requirements and presentation of documentary proof of compliance to the remittance requirement provided for in this Act.  Upon receipt of a duly notarized Complaint for Support from any OFW dependent, which sworn statement duly authenticated by the Mayor or Governor of the dependent’s place of residence, Ambassadors, Consul Generals, Chiefs of Mission or Charge d’ Affairs are authorized to withhold the renewal or approval of the passport of an erring OFW unless proof of compliance of the remittance requirement of his financial support is submitted.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the Administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

 SEC. 7. Non-impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish, impair or repeal the rights granted to OFWs under existing laws, rules and regulations.

SEC. 8.  Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, ordinances, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10.  Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Copy of the House Bill here in Congress Fill Here

©2014 THOUGHTSKOTO