I don’t understand how Migrante’s John Monterona could express alarm over the continued recruitment of Filipinos in Iraq and maintain a stoic stance on the Philippine government’s inability to create jobs for the very same people they are “concerned” with.
How could he express fear for our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and let the government’s ineffectiveness to maintain support systems, especially for our OFWs working in places like Iraq, go unchecked ? How could he justify his concerns when the corrupt immigrations people at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport suck the blood out of the very same people trying to earn a decent living and not partake of the corruption that has plagued the government?
Has Migrante forgotten the cause of its very existence?
– Jun Bauzon Odono, Kabul, Afghanistan (via e-mail)
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July 13th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Migrante is a cummunist front.always hungry for media attention,thats why all their actions are just for media hype, all mababaw.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Migrante started out just fine. However, the kind of issues they are trying to get involved themselves with shows it is fast losing its purpose. I will not be surprised if it becomes another one of those politicized group, ready to use people (and causes) and ready to be used. I guess that’s the natural progression of things in society, from simple migrant people earning a living for one’s family, to become the ’sophisticated’ animals called politicians and politician-wannabes, trying out some powers here and there.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
OT…
DOM…i complained to globe too re promo texting in the wee hours, and i found out that it was not globe who sent the text during ungodly hours but a third party. what globe did was to get my cp# and had it blocked off. so far, up till today, i have not received any promo text.
even if you text ’stop promo’, that is valid for a day only. so, you have to have your phone blocked off from any kind of promo, unless you like them ;-))
sorry for the OT, this is also FYI….
April 30th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
missy….what a meal on time can do? rational thinking, not an opinionated one.
you should try it…it is so easy to say”ibagsak si ganito, ibagsak si ganoon”
are you sure your replacement is not corrupt or will not be corrupted? you are concentrating on the symptoms, not the cause….
April 30th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
missy….oftentimes you sound like mrs. pidal, salina, gloria belat and so many other aliases…
you are being ridiculous when you say gma is “my hero”…try to understand my point, and do not let your judgment be clouded by your prejudices. we can never excuse gma from the problem. what i meant was this started during martial law. now, after marcos, it was cory, then fvr, erap, then gma. we should lay the blame on all of them, esp. marcos, since it was during his time when there was capital flight of enormous proportions, not only ofw streaming out of the country.
i am speaking from experience, because i have relatives who come from the military and one formerly with the commies. if only i can relay to you personally, all the things that i know, then you will not say “lumang usapin na yan”.
you will be surprised, that there are still honest men in uniform. huwag mo namang lahatin. pity those who are working so hard for our country. the “garcias” of the military are but a small part, it is not the norm.
and i can tell you, my meal does not come from being in govt. service, it comes from an HONEST PRIVATE toil…and for you to unjustly and falsely allude my meal comes from someone, get real !
April 30th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Mang Godo, where have you been living all this years? Brain Drain is real and it’s effects are far reaching. I repeat brain drain is real, unless you don’t have one!
If it were not so, how come we’ve got lame evil shorty sitting in malacanang? She sure is not the best in the 85 million strong we’ve got. If she’s the best, the rest must be brain dead. And nobody would accept that. Or would you?
And pray tell me, what is our standing in league with other nations? The worst, eh mang Godo! So, if you say the best is not leaving this god-forsaken land, what’s wrong with the picture? The answer then is: You are.
April 29th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Missy,
Im amazed you dont believe that Communism is in the mind and heart of some people and almost everybody knew it. So your the “weakest link” if only the show exist nowadays.
I’ll let you talk to my cousin whose once upon a time a believer and a member of the group hiding in the mountains.
I truly believe that Migrante is one group that has been politicized by the people with RED mind. Instead of throwing support to the beneficiaries of its cause, Migrante is throwing issues!
I think the people had grown tired of the shoutings and placards on the streets. They see it as another organization who just wants to take over the country.
April 29th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Edilberto Milan Says:
April 21st, 2008 at 7:52 am
Alam ninyo mga kaibigan masyado nating pinaguusapan ang negativo subalit hindi natin binibiyan ng nararapat na pansin yong mga positivong nanyayari kaya tuloy tayoy napapariwara.
Kung sino sa atin ang walang kasalan pumulot ng bato at ipukol sa Malacanang.
=======================
wala kasing magandang ginawa ang gobyernong ito kaya walang positibong nangyayari tayong pinaguusapan. puro na lang scandalo ang alam nilang gawin. tsk tsk tsk.
April 26th, 2008 at 10:54 am
I think it is the system that is hurting our economy and the will power of those in the government to enforce laws formulated by the intelligent lawmakers. I am a teacher in SC and I really do admire the check and balance of the US government, nobody is above the law that is why US is very progressive.Come on, we can not discount the supposedly collaborative effort of all of us filipinos in making our country a better place to live in.
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:34 pm
abbygail,
I think they only hurt the globe towers. If ever they did it to some other towers, its the wrong tower to bomb. That happens even in war. But i’ll tell you why the globe towers are targetted. I sent prepaid card numbers through text. Many ddnt reach my friends. I complained to the globe, in black and white. Globe said the card went to another account. I asked for that account and they wont give it to me for certain company policy. They wont even pay me back because I cannot present receipts. Funny, do we ever get receipts from the corner store? In short, they know the sent numbers were pirated and lost enroute. By whom? Naturally their technicians. I told globe to weed out their technicians or else. I guess their technicians are still around. Well, the bombings will never cease as long as the other end are not receiving their loads.
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:01 am
filipinos getting out of the country to find work started in the late 60’s, during marcos’ time. there was greater stream out during martial law period. just look at the fil-am profile in the usa, ask your friends, relatives, when they left rp. was it only during gma’s time? in my family alone, they left in the late 60’s pa.
====
SO?……. GMA IS EXCUSED? It is not GMA’s fault? GMA is still your hero? God!!! What a meal on time can do!!
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:59 am
16
abbygail Says:
April 15th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
it is not only the govt who is guilty, what about the communists who continue to bomb globe and smart satellites bec. they refuse to contribute to their “cause”?
why do you condemn the military when they attack rebel’s sites, but not when the commies massacre poor filipino soldiers who are just doing their job defending the country?
if i write about my concerns like these, is it fair for you to accuse us of being no different from gloria?
the communist organization of joma, mind you, is not exempt from corruption charges and incidents. just ask anyone who has left the org. due to disillusionment.
=====
Abygail, “communists” is an old story used by an inept, politicized military in the country as an excused. Who is joining and who is living this ghost organization is not an issue anymore. No epek na yan. Luma na yan!!!
April 21st, 2008 at 7:52 am
Alam ninyo mga kaibigan masyado nating pinaguusapan ang negativo subalit hindi natin binibiyan ng nararapat na pansin yong mga positivong nanyayari kaya tuloy tayoy napapariwara.
Kung sino sa atin ang walang kasalan pumulot ng bato at ipukol sa Malacanang.
Edilberto Milan
Managing Director
Osaka Steels Ltd
Kaduna
Nigeria
April 21st, 2008 at 7:19 am
We OFW work abroad of our own free will. Today under the era of Globalization job opportunities are no longer limited to what is available locally internationaljob opportunities are becoming more and competitive and desirable.
We have openned the Philippines job market to the so called Expats hence there is no reasons for us not to encourage our people with right credentials to test the job waters of the international job markets.
As we work abroad of our own free will the support that we need from our goverment is limited to what the Law provides and the respect due to us as law abiding citizens of our beloved country.
Edilberto M Milan
Managing Director
Osaka Steels Ltd
Kaduna
Nigeria
April 18th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
It is good Migrante is there. This group has been at the forefront of defending migrant workers rights from the very beginning. Very consistent and true to their cause.
We hope more and more migrant workers and their families will join and continue to support Migrante’s advocacy. We need this group
April 17th, 2008 at 7:27 am
One thing clear with us filipinos is… mostly we are whiner,we are complainer.
We always see the dark side, we always see the negative.
We always see the ugly but not the beauty.
We always blame and we always yak, yak, yak.
Look at the scandal we have… in NBNZTE broadband deal. what we see is how big the contract is and how big the commission or the kickback would be. We did not see the would be benefits from it, that all our schools, our children, government offices will be highly technical to be competitive and keep pace with the global technology.
Look at the scandal on North rail project, our mind penetrated inside the contract that the price is too high to be true and concluded that there would be kickback again.
Yet we did not see how we will fastract the train transportation to be really called Bicol Express and yet what we got are siling labuyo to fuel the snail and turtle run of our trains.
Look at the computerized election machines and equipments… instead of using the machines to fastrack tabulation of counting, there again the accusation of corruption and fraud. Look what happened our politicians would not concede defeat due to cheating done thru one by one counting of our teachers on the ballot.
Look at the Diosdado Macapagal Airport, the airport have given the ease from Manila International Airport and yet some are howling protest of corruption.
Look at the convenience we have, we don’t need to go to NAIAA and commute back and forth just to fly.
What I mean to say is… benefits outweigh the doubt or even the commission.
We filipinos should change our attitude. Let’s see the good side once in while and let us praise once in a while for job well done.
Let’s stop whining and let’s stop blaming. Let’s shut up once in a while and let’s work.
Maybe our life would change for the better and not bitter.
April 17th, 2008 at 4:18 am
Number one the OFW’S keep the Philippines economy afloat with their money remittance sending back home. (2) Without the money remittance sending back home the Philippines economy surely going down under. (3) And Gloria Arroyo, Knows this! The biggest problem is there is not enough work available for everybody even though you have a college degree. so people who had a chance to get out to find work they take a change in order to survive. And the biggest problem is our government is hopeless! Either we admitted or not. Its a waste of taxespayer’s money paying their salary because they don’t know what the hell they’re doing. Most of them have a job in government because they have connection. If you don’t have connection you won’t be able to get a job in government at all. Even these people is not qualified for the job they’ll get the job because of that. If these government official’s knows what they’re doing the Philippines won’t have this problem facing right now. But the biggest problem is Gloria Arroyo, If there is work available for everybody no filipino people going out and find work in other country in order to survive. The problem is lies on the government. They’re hopeless to solve the problem. Because they’re only very good on lying to their teeth. And rob the government coffer. I rest my case. Amen:
April 17th, 2008 at 12:48 am
It is really funny how we filipinos always talk of brain drain.
As if we are the smartest and intelligent creatures on earth.
First thing first, America is the land of opportunity.
Filipinos are not the only one vying for work in america.
All citizens of the world want to go to america, to earn dollar, to live in the greatest country in the world where milk and honey is an abundance.
And out of that citizens of the world are the very best of each country. so it is not filipinos that have brain when they come to america like the scientists of russia and iran, germany, england and many more whose talent contributed and still contributing what made america today.
filipinos, well, they are in a particular segment of occupation called health care where skills and not the brain is the expertise. i am talking of nurses, caregivers, cna, nursing assistants that work in convalescent, nursing homes, day care, board and care and many more that care for patients.
so where is the brain drain? none. our country is not draining their brain. the very best filipinos are still in the country. they don’t want the dirty job of cleaning. they are white collar jobs of makati, in the government and many more where their brain works.
so, please stop talking of brain drain. we have not lost our good people.
April 16th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Wow! talagang marami tumutula ng kahibangan dito like the one of Pogito’s. May nag-second the motion pa, tsk, tsk! talaga naman ano, sige lang mga toy! Banat ng banat kay Gloria! One to sawa!
April 16th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
brain Drain,
Yeah kick GMA out….but first tell us kung sino ang gusto mong ipalit kay GMA na sigurado kang hindi kurakot at hindi mangungurakot…hindi manloloko…hinid kawatan…hindi manggagantso…at marmai pang iba..
puro ka satsat di mo alam sinasabi mo…wag ka masyado manonood ng EBS-CBN kasi
April 16th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
brain drain….you have a point. i just didn’t have the exact facts and figures as to the profile of prof. leaving rp during gma’s time.
i ask myself many times why i’m sticking it out here when most of my friends, relatives and 90% of my family is out of here. i guess mangoes in the usa are not as delicious as ours, hahaha.
seriously, gma to me is history. after 2010, when her immunity is gone, then, we’ll see what happens. if all the charges stick, then, maybe, all the alleged money her family got from shady deals won’t be enough to bail her out.
i am looking to the future, and scouting for someone who can lead the ravaged nation…
April 16th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
11
Pogito Says:
April 14th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Jun Bauzon Odono got it right. We ought to tackle the problem head on, not the symptoms. The core of the problem is GMA being unable to provide the jobs here in the Philippines. People will risk life and limb to survive. the thinking would be “better to die from the bullets in Iraq rather than roll over and die from starvation.”
My call is not only for migrante. Let’s kick the #*$? out of GMA.
…………………
You can count on me. Yes, We must get rid of her because she is the problem.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
abbygail Says:
April 15th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
filipinos getting out of the country to find work started in the late 60’s, during marcos’ time. there was greater stream out during martial law period. just look at the fil-am profile in the usa, ask your friends, relatives, when they left rp. was it only during gma’s time? in my family alone, they left in the late 60’s pa.
……………..
You’re absulotey right that during Marcos Era there is lots of filipino people migrate to other country in order to find a good paying job. But during Gloria Arroyo, There is more filipino people go out the country in order to find work because there is no work available for everybody. In fact its hard to fine work in the Philippines even though you have college degree! school teacher’s become super maid ni Gloria. Doctor’s become nurse in order to have more change to find work in other country. The reason doctore become nurse because its easy for nurses to find work in any country. If you’re a doctor, It doesn’t matter if you’re very good doctor you can’t just find work as a doctor. So if you start as nurse you have a better chance to be a doctor someday in other country. I know a doctor in the Philippines working as nurse in Kaiser hospital here in the u.s. Alot of them. Pretty soon the Philippines will be BRAIN DRAIN because most of the educated people go abroad and work. What a shame. And the education in the Philippines is deteriorate only rich people can afford to send their children to school. The poor people can go hang! and the government don’t give a damn.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
What is so special with the OFWs. Gloria moves mountains, pays blood money for them, set them free of their heinous crimes but look at the soldiers she keeps in the brig, they have not even harmed a fly.
April 15th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
it is not only the govt who is guilty, what about the communists who continue to bomb globe and smart satellites bec. they refuse to contribute to their “cause”?
why do you condemn the military when they attack rebel’s sites, but not when the commies massacre poor filipino soldiers who are just doing their job defending the country?
if i write about my concerns like these, is it fair for you to accuse us of being no different from gloria?
the communist organization of joma, mind you, is not exempt from corruption charges and incidents. just ask anyone who has left the org. due to disillusionment.
April 15th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
filipinos getting out of the country to find work started in the late 60’s, during marcos’ time. there was greater stream out during martial law period. just look at the fil-am profile in the usa, ask your friends, relatives, when they left rp. was it only during gma’s time? in my family alone, they left in the late 60’s pa.
April 15th, 2008 at 1:17 am
Hypocrisy, Mr. Bauzon. Misplaced crocodile tears. They´re all the same, most of these people. They covet a government position for the purpose of getting rich and milking our country dry. It´s people like these who perpetuated the present Filipino diaspora.
bungangaraw & partner
April 14th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Ang Pinoy nga naman, mahilig makisawsaw. Palibhasa ang mga issues in these blogs are mostly about the “faults” of the government, kaya lahat ng makitang di maganda, ang sisi agad nasa gobyerno.
Mas nakakabilib kung ang pagpuna nyo ay may kasamang magandang mungkahi na sa tingin natin ay makakainam at maisasagawa.
Most people prefer to listen to humble requests or suggestions than listen to arrogant demands.
April 14th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Migrante…at iba pang grupong militante ay walang pinagiba sa mga POLITIKO natin na kurakot at magnanakaw!!!!!
kung saan meron media mileage..andun sila..kung saan makapwerwisyo sila sa mamayan dun sila magraraly bwehehehe
April 14th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Jun Bauzon Odono got it right. We ought to tackle the problem head on, not the symptoms. The core of the problem is GMA being unable to provide the jobs here in the Philippines. People will risk life and limb to survive. the thinking would be “better to die from the bullets in Iraq rather than roll over and die from starvation.”
My call is not only for migrante. Let’s kick the #*$? out of GMA.
April 14th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Whatever you think about Migrante, communist or not, still they are right.
How RP can allow Filipinos to work at a place where RP cannot protect and secure them?
Let anyone who still wants to go to such places sign a waiver, stating that they go on their own and will not request help from the government in case of problems like being kidnapped. The, RP could not be pressed by kidnappers for ransom or other political advantages. And knowing about could make Filipinos less interesting to kidnappers.
The government should also stop to bail out criminal OFWs and bring killers home like real heroes. An OFW in real need for help, caused by accidents, illness etc., will hardly get any comparable treatment than to such criminals who, for the same crime, would get maximal punishment at home, too.
The reason for such advantage of criminals: A killer case and the “rescue” of the criminal makes a big story and gives browny points for showing “how much the government cares” of the modern heroes.
Even suchstatus like heroes is very unjust. What is so heroic if Filipinos leave country and family for money? A big number of OFWs, like up to doctors, could earn a very decent lifestyle in the Philippines too, but still decide to abandon poor patients in their homeland just for earning more. It may be humanlike and understandable, but in no way heroic. Millions and millions of other pople from different countries work also abroad, but only Filipinos become heroes…
It would be more heroic to stay at home and fight for changes in their homeland which then could create jobs and bring prices down. A high price and high expenses country can hardly create jobs through increased local demand or export.
And lastly, Filipinos should start to think first about their abilities before making child after child, without any chance to give them a good life and education. Except maybe by abandoning them and becoming a “modern hero”.
April 14th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Isa -isa :
TATANG : Ikaw ang mag-aral para matuto kang magbasa in between the lines. Please research on “figure of speech” OK?
JOHN : Precisely my point ! I also came from Iraq and I know what is happening there. Who wants another OFW to die? Wala. However, expressing concern over the continued exodus of Filipinos, I believe, is minor compared to the ineffectiveness of the Filipino government to emplace safety nets to protect and enhance the lives of our people. You, and Migrante, are in the best position to expose these ills. What I am trying to say here is : the more we harp on the minor issue (OFWs going to Iraq), the more reason para sa mga buwaya sa Immigration na katayin ang mga kababayan natin. It also gives the government a justification not to allow our people to work decently…thereby putting a smokescreen on the government’s basic deficiencies which is very obvious - it cannot generate jobs for our people!
Let the government express it’s concern over the minor issue so it will backfire on itself. Then pound on the major issue again and again -SUN TZU’s art of war.
Let’s focus!
April 14th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
it’s not just NAIA personnel that is sucking the life out of us OFWs.other agencies also doing that. why should there be lots of agencies for the ofws? can’t they just create one central agency that would address all the affairs for us OFWs?
April 14th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Angel Panganiban is right Migrante is just one of those leftist groups taking their orders from Joma communist Sison they should transfer to Pluto along with all like-minded creatures and set up their own version of a communist utopia except they’re too lazy for that and want to simply take over this country by force or by manipulation. Down with their brand of tyranny!
April 14th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
1. Migrante:Under Communist Influence
The very existence of the so called/self annointed defender of OFW’s Migrante has lost it true cause of depending the Filipinos.This organization actually is taking orders /direction from its masters in Netherlands.Migrante is run and contolled in short by communist. So what do you expect from them?
Same as true with the so called bogus human rights advocates,Karapatan.
Para ding si Gloria hindi ba? “Self-anointed din siya di ba? The difference is that Migrante’s cause is more focused on a certain group of Filipinos, the OFW. Gloria is all over, wala naming nagagawang tama. And, the fact that you, without a flinch, is alleging that the organization is actually taking orders from Netherland’s Filipino communists, is telling that you are no different from Gloria. You have no pang at telling lies. What you said is not true. Otherwise, present your proof to attest to what you are claiming. Since you love Gloria, it is but natural that you will allege that the Filipinos who are speaking on behalf of some Filipinos like the OFW are communists, the same excuse for the military in killing the members of the ANG BAYAN like chickens. Human rights advocates, organizations who speak up against the abuses, corruptions and cheatings of government officials are vital to democracy, otherwise, it is not democracy.
April 14th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Yup, very true…. nice one… finally “Rizal” has come to life once again hehehe
April 13th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Migrante:Under Communist Influence
The very existence of the so called/self annointed defender of OFW’s Migrante has lost it true cause of depending the Filipinos.This organization actually is taking orders /direction from its masters in Netherlands.Migrante is run and contolled in short by communist. So what do you expect from them?
Same as true with the so called bogus human rights advocates,Karapatan.
April 12th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
yeah right. a lot of this so called leftist group always find fault in the administration. when a kid committed suicide in davao, they rally in malacañang telling the president to resign! because its arroyo’s fault. what?!! when crude oil in international market goes up, it’s arroyo’s fault! oh c’mon guys, what can you offer to the poor that this administration cannot. nothing!!! tell us your alternative offer. coz right now, there is none!
April 12th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Mr. Bauzon,
kanino ka ba galit? kay john monterona ng MIGRANTE dahil ini-expose nila ang kainutilan ng ating gobyerno sa pagtugon sa rights and welfare nating mga OFWs O sa gobyerno mismo dahil kinukurakot nila ang at sinisipsip ang perang pinaghihirapan natin?!!!!
Linawin mo nga, kabayan? at mag-aral ka nang konti, ha?
Salamat,
Tatang ng mga OFWs
April 12th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
To: Mr. Jun Bauzon Odono from Kabul, Afghanistan
Migrante’s concern on the continued sending of OFWs, illegally, in Iraq despite ban imposed by the Arroyo govt. is a valid concern as we don’t want to see another OFWs die in war torn Iraq or in Afghanistan.
If only the present Arroyo administration is able to create and generatre jobs locally that would give us sufficient income to survive our families, if only the Arroyo govt. has a good economic policy based on nationalization of basic industries and implement genuine agrarian reform so that majority of Filipinos who are farmers could have raised enough income increasing the domestic per capita income of the Philippines that would in turn make the economy self-sufficient and not relying solely on foreign investments and loans, you and I and the almost 10-M OFWs will not be forced to accept risky jobs abroad.
Fighting Corruption and bribery as well as unjustified state exactions or imposition of additional taxes to OFWs is one only of the numerous crusade undertaken by Migrante International as a recognized defender of migrant rights and staunch promoter OFWs and families’ welfare.
Hope you will be one with us and for Migrante’s cause.
Best regards and take care.
John Leonard Monterona
Regional Coordinator
Migrante Middle East