OFW Congress

: SECURITY PRECAUTIONS IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

https://bit.ly/3sNml6t

In view of the recently intercepted missile/drone attack against Riyadh, the Filipino Community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is advised to keep a vigilant watch on potential security threats and continue to abide by the security measures and protocols established by the Saudi government, as well as the laws, rules, and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Further security-related incidents, information on developing security situations on the ground, and requests for assistance may be brought to the attention of the following:

A. Assistance-to-Nationals Section (ANS) – Philippine Embassy in Riyadh

1. Landline Number - 011-480-1918
2. Hotline Number - 056 989 3301
3. E-mail Address - [email protected]

B. Assistance-to-Nationals Section (ANS) – Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah

1. Hotline Numbers – 055 521 9613 / 055 521 9614
2. E-mail Address – [email protected]

Sang-ayon ba kayo sa pagkakaroon ng "Department of Overseas Filipinos"? Ipaalam ang inyong saloobin sa pamamagitan ng comments section.

Basahin ang aking column para sa dagdag na kaalaman tungkol sa nasabing bill: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/11/10/updates-on-the-overseas-employment-front/

B**G GO WELCOMES PROBE ON MALTREATMENT OF HOUSE STAFF WORKER IN PH EMBASSY IN BRAZIL; REMINDS PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO SET A GOOD EXAMPLE TO FILIPINOS

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go welcomed the investigation being conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs into the allegations of abuse committed by Philippine Ambassador to Brazil, Marichu Mauro, against a Filipino household staff member.

“Paalala ko lang na ang mga opisyales ay mga public servants — trabaho natin na mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino. Dapat tayo maging tamang halimbawa sa bawat mamamayan, lalo na ang mga ambassador na ang mandato ay proteksyunan ang mga kababayan natin sa ibang bansa,” Go emphasized.

Go sternly reminded all public officials to strictly comply with the standards set forth in the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and other applicable standards, such as those in the Foreign Service Act.

“Public office is a privilege and Mauro, like all other public servants, should be held to the highest of moral and ethical standards, not just in the performance of their official functions and responsibilities, but also on how they act as Filipino citizens,” explained Go.

Go reminded that public servants must lead by example, especially those who represent and carry the country’s name in the international sphere.

“The government, most especially in foreign service, has no place for anyone who does not respect human rights and maltreats others just because of their stature in life,” he stressed.

“Walang sinuman ang may karapatang mang-abuso ng kapwa, lalo na ‘yung mga opisyales natin sa mga embahada sa ibang bansa. Nandyan po kayo para pagsilbihan at proteksyunan ang mga kababayan natin, hindi para abusuhin ang mga Pilipinong maayos na nagtratrabaho dyan para buhayin ang kanilang pamilya,” he added.

As a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the Senator also asked the DFA to ensure that suitable procedures are in place to protect the rights of both the accused and the victim, reiterating that due process must be followed.

On Friday, October 30, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced that the DFA had officially opened an investigation on Mauro after formally obtaining an approval from President Rodrigo Duterte. Mauro is expected to arrive in the country on November 2.

The Foreign Service Act declares that all “Chiefs of Mission who are commissioned by the President as ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary shall not be investigated by the Board [of Foreign Service Administration] or separated from the service unless there is an express written directive from the President”.

A fact-finding team will submit an initial report to Secretary Locsin and report to the Presidential Management Staff within fifteen days.

In an earlier statement, Senator Go repeatedly slammed the conduct of the Ambassador, and expressed support for domestic helpers and other overseas Filipino workers, many of whom are victims of violence and cruelty abroad.

He offered assistance to the domestic helper in the video footage who returned to the Philippines from Brasilia, Brazil last October 21. Furthermore, he encouraged others to report similar incidents of verbal and physical abuse to his office.

“Walang karapatan saktan ng ambassador ang isang kasambahay. Wala pong may karapatang manakit ng kapwa. Kami ni Pangulong Duterte, uunahin namin palagi ang kapakanan at buhay ng mga ordinaryong Pilipino na nagtatrabaho ng maayos para buhayin ang pamilya nila. Lalo na ‘yung mga kababayan nating kasambahay na nawalay sa pamilya para lang makapagbigay ng maayos na buhay para sa kanilang mga anak” stated Go earlier.

“Bukas po ang aking opisina sa household staff na nagtrabaho para sa ambassador. Siya raw po ay nauna nang nakabalik sa bansa. Kung anumang tulong mabibigay namin ay ibibigay ko sa abot ng aking makakaya. Handa po kaming tumulong sa kanya," he pledged.

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Stop sending our housemaid or household service workers to the middle east - that’s the solution.

Our Brand is Crisis: Khafala Meets COVID-19 It was not just asked once. It was separately tackled both in the Budget Hearings of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Senator Richard Gordon was in fact most straightforward in his inquiry — how is the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) dealing with (and fighting against) khafala?