July 02, 2005 Updated 02:39am (Mla time)
Agence France-Presse
NEW DELHI--A ruling by a powerful Islamic body that a woman raped by her father-in-law must separate from her husband has sparked a storm in India, with angry rights groups and Muslim women slamming the fatwa although the victim says she is resigned to her fate.
"The Islamic clerics have failed to differentiate between sex by consent and rape by force," president of the All India Muslim Women's Personal Law Board, Shaista Amber, was quoted Friday by the Asian Age newspaper as saying.
"The victim has been further victimized by the 'fatwa' (edict)," Amber said. "We've all decided that Imrana was and is still innocent. She can live with her husband.
"The ruling was against the "spirit and essence of Islam, which gives equal rights to women," Amber's organization said separately.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Monday ordered 28-year-old Imrana Ilahi, who was allegedly raped by her father-in-law Ali Mohammed in northern Uttar Pradesh state about two weeks ago, to separate from her husband, who was tasked with bringing up their five children.
The Muslim law board was set up in 1972 to protect the rights of Muslim women in India.Several women's organizations, led by the All-India Democratic Women's Association, meanwhile staged demonstrations Thursday in Muzafarnagar, where Ilahi lives, demanding punishment for her rapist.
Read more.....http://news.inq7.net/express/html_output/20050702-42106.xml.html
Saturday, July 02, 2005
500,000 OFWs dispatched in first half of 2005, says DOLE
First posted 03:16pm (Mla time) July 02, 2005
INQ7.net
by: Veronica Uy
http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=1&story_id=42144
A TOTAL of 502,772 overseas Filipino workers have been deployed for the first half of the year, breaching the half a million mark of OFW deployment for the first time since the country started sending workers abroad, acting Labor Secretary Danilo Cruz said Saturday.
"We are confident that our goal to deploy a million OFWs globally continues on a firm and stable track," he said.
Citing reports from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Cruz said the figure, noted as of June 26 this year, is 19,276 more than the 483,496 OFWs deployed in the same period last year.
Cruz said that with this development, the total OFW remittances to the Philippines could approach the 10-billion-dollar mark this year.
Earlier, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines) reported that OFW remittances rose by a double-digit 17.22 percent to 3.072 billion dollars (around 170.9 billion pesos) from January to April 2005, compared to 2.621 billion dollars during the same period in 2004.
INQ7.net
by: Veronica Uy
http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=1&story_id=42144
A TOTAL of 502,772 overseas Filipino workers have been deployed for the first half of the year, breaching the half a million mark of OFW deployment for the first time since the country started sending workers abroad, acting Labor Secretary Danilo Cruz said Saturday.
"We are confident that our goal to deploy a million OFWs globally continues on a firm and stable track," he said.
Citing reports from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Cruz said the figure, noted as of June 26 this year, is 19,276 more than the 483,496 OFWs deployed in the same period last year.
Cruz said that with this development, the total OFW remittances to the Philippines could approach the 10-billion-dollar mark this year.
Earlier, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines) reported that OFW remittances rose by a double-digit 17.22 percent to 3.072 billion dollars (around 170.9 billion pesos) from January to April 2005, compared to 2.621 billion dollars during the same period in 2004.
O U T R A G E !
Overseas Filipinos, their families and advocates Unite,
Rise to Oust the Arroyo regime!
News ReleaseJuly 1, 2005For reference: Broad group of migrants and advocates launch Oust Gloria alliance: Calls to withhold remittances until Gloria steps downNo resign, no remit.
This was the call issued today by a new alliance formed by migrants and advocates to press for Gloria’s immediate resignation or ouster. OUTRAGE or Overseas Filipinos, their families and advocates Unite, Rise to oust the Arroyo regime is an umbrella formation of groups and individuals across the Philippines and around the world, in more than 20 countries.
“Foremost among our forms of protest actions is the call for the withholding of remittances through formal banking channels as long as Gloria Arroyo remains in power in order to illustrate our complete withdrawal of support from the Gloria administration,” says OUTRAGE in their Basis of Unity Statement. OUTRAGE was launched this morning during a Quezon City press conference.
Other forms of action the group will lead include coordinated days of action, forums and petition signings.“Instead of trying to cover-up her fraudulent foul-play by resorting to repressive measures and harassment tactics, she must face the people’s cry for justice to be served,” says the group’s petition which will be circulated in various communities, countries and on the internet.
“Across the country and around the world, the Filipino people will not be fooled. We will not be deceived by diversionary tactics of self-exile or a purported revamp of the Cabinet. Clearly, Gloria is an anti-people, corrupt and fake President with no legal or moral basis. If she does not resign, the people will oust her from Malacanang,” says OUTRAGE.
On Tuesday, July 5, OUTRAGE will hold a forum at UP’s Asian Center Conference Room (2pm to 4pm) entitled “No Resign, No Remit (through bank channels)” to further raise awareness about the impact of remittances on the national economy.OUTRAGE convenors and members at the press conference include: Dr. Minguita Padilla, President, Sinag ng Bayan Foundation; Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson, Migrante Sectoral Party; Amado Gat Inciong, Alyansang Nagkakaisa para sa Inang Bayan; Prof. Ruel Pepa, of Trinity College of Quezon City; Hanah Seneres, External Vice-President, OFW Family Club; Prof. Millie R. Espinas, of Asian Center, UP Diliman; Maita Santiago, Secretary-General, Migrante International; Josue Loyola, Chairperson Friends of Migrante; Dr. Rommel Linatoc, Migrante - United Kingdom and Josh Castro, Secretary-General of the League of Filipino Students - California; and Mazel Trinidad of Migrante Youth.
#Spokespersons for reference:
Dr. Minguita Padilla, 0915.584.2394
Connie Bragas-Regalado, 0927.215.7392
Rise to Oust the Arroyo regime!
News ReleaseJuly 1, 2005For reference: Broad group of migrants and advocates launch Oust Gloria alliance: Calls to withhold remittances until Gloria steps downNo resign, no remit.
This was the call issued today by a new alliance formed by migrants and advocates to press for Gloria’s immediate resignation or ouster. OUTRAGE or Overseas Filipinos, their families and advocates Unite, Rise to oust the Arroyo regime is an umbrella formation of groups and individuals across the Philippines and around the world, in more than 20 countries.
“Foremost among our forms of protest actions is the call for the withholding of remittances through formal banking channels as long as Gloria Arroyo remains in power in order to illustrate our complete withdrawal of support from the Gloria administration,” says OUTRAGE in their Basis of Unity Statement. OUTRAGE was launched this morning during a Quezon City press conference.
Other forms of action the group will lead include coordinated days of action, forums and petition signings.“Instead of trying to cover-up her fraudulent foul-play by resorting to repressive measures and harassment tactics, she must face the people’s cry for justice to be served,” says the group’s petition which will be circulated in various communities, countries and on the internet.
“Across the country and around the world, the Filipino people will not be fooled. We will not be deceived by diversionary tactics of self-exile or a purported revamp of the Cabinet. Clearly, Gloria is an anti-people, corrupt and fake President with no legal or moral basis. If she does not resign, the people will oust her from Malacanang,” says OUTRAGE.
On Tuesday, July 5, OUTRAGE will hold a forum at UP’s Asian Center Conference Room (2pm to 4pm) entitled “No Resign, No Remit (through bank channels)” to further raise awareness about the impact of remittances on the national economy.OUTRAGE convenors and members at the press conference include: Dr. Minguita Padilla, President, Sinag ng Bayan Foundation; Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson, Migrante Sectoral Party; Amado Gat Inciong, Alyansang Nagkakaisa para sa Inang Bayan; Prof. Ruel Pepa, of Trinity College of Quezon City; Hanah Seneres, External Vice-President, OFW Family Club; Prof. Millie R. Espinas, of Asian Center, UP Diliman; Maita Santiago, Secretary-General, Migrante International; Josue Loyola, Chairperson Friends of Migrante; Dr. Rommel Linatoc, Migrante - United Kingdom and Josh Castro, Secretary-General of the League of Filipino Students - California; and Mazel Trinidad of Migrante Youth.
#Spokespersons for reference:
Dr. Minguita Padilla, 0915.584.2394
Connie Bragas-Regalado, 0927.215.7392
UN releases compensation for Filipinos in Gulf War
By Dennis D. Estopace, Reporter
Saturday, July 02, 2005
A unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs directly taking orders from the United Nations confirmed the release of nearly a million dollar for late claims for payment for Filipinos who died, were harmed or displaced during Iraq’s war against Kuwait more than a decade ago.
A staff of the Philippine Claims and Compensation Commission has confirmed that the commission is processing a UN Security Council resolution in April on the “late-claims program.” Created in 1991, the PCCC is the operating arm of the UNCC, the UN council that approves and processes the claims of the 1991 Gulf War victims around the world.
The money for the claims, an estimated $12 billion worldwide, comes from a special fund that receives 25 percent of the proceeds from sales of Iraqi oil. The United Nations Compensation Commission Governing Council has approved in May the claims of 245 of 305 Filipinos for whom the foreign affairs department has filed late claims in March last year.
According to a council report dated March 10, 2005, a total of 3,450 category “A” claims and 672 category “C” claims were filed by the governments of the Philippines, Iran, Pakistan and Sri Lanka as part of a “late-claims program.”
“On various occasions from 2000 to 2004, [the Philippine Government] approached the governing council with request[s] to file claims with the Commission on behalf of some of their nationals who were allegedly unable to file claims for losses resulting from Iraq’s invasion and occupation of Kuwait during the Commission’s regular filing period,” the report said. The UN council’s regular filing period was from January 1, 1992, to January 1, 1996.
Read more.....http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2005/jul/02/yehey/top_stories/20050702top6.html
Saturday, July 02, 2005
A unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs directly taking orders from the United Nations confirmed the release of nearly a million dollar for late claims for payment for Filipinos who died, were harmed or displaced during Iraq’s war against Kuwait more than a decade ago.
A staff of the Philippine Claims and Compensation Commission has confirmed that the commission is processing a UN Security Council resolution in April on the “late-claims program.” Created in 1991, the PCCC is the operating arm of the UNCC, the UN council that approves and processes the claims of the 1991 Gulf War victims around the world.
The money for the claims, an estimated $12 billion worldwide, comes from a special fund that receives 25 percent of the proceeds from sales of Iraqi oil. The United Nations Compensation Commission Governing Council has approved in May the claims of 245 of 305 Filipinos for whom the foreign affairs department has filed late claims in March last year.
According to a council report dated March 10, 2005, a total of 3,450 category “A” claims and 672 category “C” claims were filed by the governments of the Philippines, Iran, Pakistan and Sri Lanka as part of a “late-claims program.”
“On various occasions from 2000 to 2004, [the Philippine Government] approached the governing council with request[s] to file claims with the Commission on behalf of some of their nationals who were allegedly unable to file claims for losses resulting from Iraq’s invasion and occupation of Kuwait during the Commission’s regular filing period,” the report said. The UN council’s regular filing period was from January 1, 1992, to January 1, 1996.
Read more.....http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2005/jul/02/yehey/top_stories/20050702top6.html
Friday, July 01, 2005
Arroyo assailed for neglecting OFWs in Lebanon
Thursday, 06/30/2005
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/20050630.nat05.html
A militant group yesterday assailed on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for neglecting Filipinos in Lebanon who had been raped and got impregnated by abusive employers.
In a statement, Migrante sectoral party chairman Connie Bragas-Regalado said President Arroyo, along with her diplomats, had neglected their mandate to protect OFWs in Lebanon.
Regalado added they received reports that 10 distressed OFWs, including a domestic helper, who was raped and got pregnant, are still seeking government assistance for their plight in Beirut. “This revelation was brought about by the arrival of Dina Palangre, 35-year-old OFW, a native of Passi, Iloilo, who was lucky to return home after eight months of suffering at the hands of her Lebanese employer,” she noted.
“We are quite aghast at these developments as justice has not been attained for at least three domestic workers who were killed in Lebanon last year due to the criminal neglect of embassy officials themselves,” she added.
Regalado identified victims Louella Montenegro, Catherine Bautista and Luz Pacu-an were all killed by their Lebanese employers in a span of three months last year. She said only former Ambassador Ramoncito Marino was recalled and given a lower post in a different country. “Palangre identified some of the domestic helpers needing immediate repatriation as Maricel Dema-ala, Monaliza Nodalo, Editha Jabiar, Helen Espiritu, and Quitora Corros-all temporarily sheltered at the Philippine embassy in Beirut, Lebanon,” she added.
“What is Charge d' Affaires Nestor Padalhin doing in Beirut? The Philippine government knows fully well that Lebanese employers treat OFWs like animals, made to work more than 10 hours without sufficient food and not paying their salaries,” she added.
She noted despite the non-existence of social and labor accords to protect OFWs, the current administration continues to deploy OFWs to Lebanon in violation of Republic Act 8042 or the Migrants Act of 1995. The militant leader said OFWs also suffer violations of their rights as foreign workers, are being raped and experience other forms of abuse.
Based on reports, there are at least 30,000 OFWs in Lebanon. “This just shows that Philippine diplomatic officials in Lebanon, and the Arroyo administration for that matter, ceaselessly violates laws and neglects OFWs in distress,” she added. Sherwin C. Olaes
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/20050630.nat05.html
A militant group yesterday assailed on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for neglecting Filipinos in Lebanon who had been raped and got impregnated by abusive employers.
In a statement, Migrante sectoral party chairman Connie Bragas-Regalado said President Arroyo, along with her diplomats, had neglected their mandate to protect OFWs in Lebanon.
Regalado added they received reports that 10 distressed OFWs, including a domestic helper, who was raped and got pregnant, are still seeking government assistance for their plight in Beirut. “This revelation was brought about by the arrival of Dina Palangre, 35-year-old OFW, a native of Passi, Iloilo, who was lucky to return home after eight months of suffering at the hands of her Lebanese employer,” she noted.
“We are quite aghast at these developments as justice has not been attained for at least three domestic workers who were killed in Lebanon last year due to the criminal neglect of embassy officials themselves,” she added.
Regalado identified victims Louella Montenegro, Catherine Bautista and Luz Pacu-an were all killed by their Lebanese employers in a span of three months last year. She said only former Ambassador Ramoncito Marino was recalled and given a lower post in a different country. “Palangre identified some of the domestic helpers needing immediate repatriation as Maricel Dema-ala, Monaliza Nodalo, Editha Jabiar, Helen Espiritu, and Quitora Corros-all temporarily sheltered at the Philippine embassy in Beirut, Lebanon,” she added.
“What is Charge d' Affaires Nestor Padalhin doing in Beirut? The Philippine government knows fully well that Lebanese employers treat OFWs like animals, made to work more than 10 hours without sufficient food and not paying their salaries,” she added.
She noted despite the non-existence of social and labor accords to protect OFWs, the current administration continues to deploy OFWs to Lebanon in violation of Republic Act 8042 or the Migrants Act of 1995. The militant leader said OFWs also suffer violations of their rights as foreign workers, are being raped and experience other forms of abuse.
Based on reports, there are at least 30,000 OFWs in Lebanon. “This just shows that Philippine diplomatic officials in Lebanon, and the Arroyo administration for that matter, ceaselessly violates laws and neglects OFWs in distress,” she added. Sherwin C. Olaes
8 OFWs quit jobs in Kuwait over unfair labor
First posted 04:51pm (Mla time)
June 30, 2005
By Veronica Uy
INQ7.net
http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=1&story_id=41928
EIGHT Filipino truck drivers were repatriated in two batches after their resigned from a transport company in Kuwait over unlawful salary deductions and unpaid overtime.
Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas said the overseas Filipino workers still chose to return to the Philippines even after a successful mediation by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.They did not finish their two-year contracts.The drivers were all contracted by the BMW Recruitment Agency to work with the Jassim Transport Company, a subsidiary of the Transport and Warehousing Group Co. in Kuwait.
They stayed within the Philippines embassy premises in Kuwait from April 7 until their repatriation on June 22 and June 26, according to a report of Labor attaché to Kuwait Leopoldo De Jesus.
De Jesus named the overseas workers as Valeriano de la Cruz, Willie Hernandez, Protacio Valenzuela, Romeo Gonzales, Vergel Gonzales, Freddie Malbueso, Nicanor Badonio, and Edwin Cruz.
De Jesus said that as the OFWs failed to complete their contracts, the company required them to pay back employment expenses in bringing them to Kuwait. These amounted to 183 Kuwaiti dinars (about 528 dollars) for each of the repatriated workers.
Jassim Transport Company deducted the amount from their remaining salaries and overtime pay, said De Jesus, adding that the balance was charged to the contracting agency. He did not specify the amount.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said it assisted in their repatriation and provided necessary airport and other assistance upon arrival in the Philippines. #
June 30, 2005
By Veronica Uy
INQ7.net
http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=1&story_id=41928
EIGHT Filipino truck drivers were repatriated in two batches after their resigned from a transport company in Kuwait over unlawful salary deductions and unpaid overtime.
Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas said the overseas Filipino workers still chose to return to the Philippines even after a successful mediation by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.They did not finish their two-year contracts.The drivers were all contracted by the BMW Recruitment Agency to work with the Jassim Transport Company, a subsidiary of the Transport and Warehousing Group Co. in Kuwait.
They stayed within the Philippines embassy premises in Kuwait from April 7 until their repatriation on June 22 and June 26, according to a report of Labor attaché to Kuwait Leopoldo De Jesus.
De Jesus named the overseas workers as Valeriano de la Cruz, Willie Hernandez, Protacio Valenzuela, Romeo Gonzales, Vergel Gonzales, Freddie Malbueso, Nicanor Badonio, and Edwin Cruz.
De Jesus said that as the OFWs failed to complete their contracts, the company required them to pay back employment expenses in bringing them to Kuwait. These amounted to 183 Kuwaiti dinars (about 528 dollars) for each of the repatriated workers.
Jassim Transport Company deducted the amount from their remaining salaries and overtime pay, said De Jesus, adding that the balance was charged to the contracting agency. He did not specify the amount.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said it assisted in their repatriation and provided necessary airport and other assistance upon arrival in the Philippines. #
Fil-Aussie woman seeks damages for deportation
manilastandardonline
An Australian woman wrongly deported to the Philippines will probably seek more than $1 million Australian (P43 million) in compensation from the government, her lawyer said. Vivian Alvarez, a Philippine-born dual citizen since 1986, was mistakenly identified as an illegal immigrant and deported in 2001 following a car accident.
She was tracked down last month in a hospice outside Manila and has since been negotiating with the government conditions for her return. Australian Broadcasting Corp. television reported late Monday it had evidence that Alvarez was suffering a partially severed spinal cord when she was deported and was apparently unable to sign her own name.
She used thumbprints to endorse identity papers, the ABC reported in its “Lateline” program. Kim Beazley, leader of the opposition Labor Party, slammed the government Tuesday for bungling the case. “When that sort of thing is found out, when this sort of gross incompetence by a government takes place, then we, the taxpayers, pay a penalty,” he said.
Her Australian lawyer Marcus Einfeld said Alvarez was keen to return to Australia where she has two sons but the government would not commit to care for her beyond six months. Einfeld, a former judge, said he had a compensation figure in mind but had not asked the government for a lump sum. “It’s a substantial sum and, yes, it certainly probably is more than a million dollars,” Einfeld told Lateline.
Read more...http://www.manilastandardonline.com:8080/mnlastd/ContentLoader?page=news05_june29_2005
An Australian woman wrongly deported to the Philippines will probably seek more than $1 million Australian (P43 million) in compensation from the government, her lawyer said. Vivian Alvarez, a Philippine-born dual citizen since 1986, was mistakenly identified as an illegal immigrant and deported in 2001 following a car accident.
She was tracked down last month in a hospice outside Manila and has since been negotiating with the government conditions for her return. Australian Broadcasting Corp. television reported late Monday it had evidence that Alvarez was suffering a partially severed spinal cord when she was deported and was apparently unable to sign her own name.
She used thumbprints to endorse identity papers, the ABC reported in its “Lateline” program. Kim Beazley, leader of the opposition Labor Party, slammed the government Tuesday for bungling the case. “When that sort of thing is found out, when this sort of gross incompetence by a government takes place, then we, the taxpayers, pay a penalty,” he said.
Her Australian lawyer Marcus Einfeld said Alvarez was keen to return to Australia where she has two sons but the government would not commit to care for her beyond six months. Einfeld, a former judge, said he had a compensation figure in mind but had not asked the government for a lump sum. “It’s a substantial sum and, yes, it certainly probably is more than a million dollars,” Einfeld told Lateline.
Read more...http://www.manilastandardonline.com:8080/mnlastd/ContentLoader?page=news05_june29_2005
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