Blog
Please consult our blog for updates, reflections, events and news stories.
Senator Koko Pimentel’s Sponsorship Speech OAV
November 5, 2012
Senator Koko Pimentel delivered his sponsorship speech for Senate Bill No. 3312 under Committee Report No. 446, titled, “An Act Amending Republic Act No. 9189 Otherwise Known as The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003.”
Senator Pimentel’s speech reminded of the importance of new technologies to empower OFWs to vote:
“And as more Filipinos skip and “Skype” their way around the world, technological adaptibility has become an integral factor for good governance, whether on a parochial or global scale.”
Senator Pimentel’s words were moving to all present at the senate. He emphasized that overseas Filipino workers are an important part of the Filipino nation and culture:
” we have a culture among us – once a Filipino, always a fond eater of adobo. Our strong family ties extend beyond borders and with it comes the patriotism that springs from perpetually grateful and longing hearts.”
He clarified that a priority of Senate Bill 3312, is to enable
“ the exercise of the right to vote, for Filipinos who have reacquired and/or retained their Philippine Citizenship pursuant to Republic Act 9225″.
For a full copy of Senator Pimentel’s speech, see: sen koko’s Sponsorship Speech OAV
WSF 2012
Greetings from Migrant Forum in Asia. We are pleased to inform you that the online registration for the 5th World Social Forum on Migrations (WSFM) is now open. To register please visit: http://www.wsfm2012.org/register
When you register, please be reminded of the following:
- A nominal registration fee is required to ensure your participation to the WSFM. The fees will be paid on-site in Manila, Philippines. For information on registration fees please see: http://www.wsfm2012.org/participation/costs
- Ensure that the required fields are completed to avoid further delays
- Those who are interested to join the field visits, please do not forget to signify your interest by completing the appropriate fields. The deadline for registration for the field visits is on 20 October 2012. For more information on the field visits please see: http://www.wsfm2012.org/program/fieldvisit
- The deadline for online registration is on 15 November 2012.
We will be very grateful if you would circulate this information to your colleagues, friends, partners and networks.
Courage, Peace and Power in a life full of meaning,
William Gois
Regional Coordinator
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Senate concurs to ratify the ILO Convention 189 (Decent work for domestic workers)
20 senators, without abstentions, voted to concur with ratification of the ILO Convention 189 (Decent work for domestic workers) around 3:35 this afternoon. (Pres. Aquino signed its ratification on May 18, 2012 but this requires Senate concurrence.)
Chandra Merry, our intern from CAPI/ Canada and I witnessed this fruit of our years of lobby with other OFW organizations, migrant NGOs, trade unions, Visayan Forum and domestic workers’ organizations, etc. The gallery packed to the rafters included domestic workers themselves. We also saw the DOLE Secretary, the Administrators of both POEA and OWWA, the DFA, ILO and some LGU officials.The DFA has to deposit the instrument of ratification to the ILO Director General in Geneva.
For us in CMA, we call on ILO Member States to likewise ratify the Convention 189. We also call on our partner organizations in these States to continue lobbying for the Convention.
Likewise, we call on Congress to pass our Domestic Workers’ Law (Kasambahay Bill).
In addition, there should be close and strict monitoring of their implementation…
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http://anc.abs-…
http://anc.abs-cbnnews.com/videos/1562/overseas-filipinos-making-their-vote-count/
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