News Briefs: May 21, 2019

PH may review deal with Kuwait on protection of OFWs

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government may review its agreement with Kuwait on the protection of Filipino workers after the death of a Filipino domestic helper in the emirate last week.

Malacañang on Monday backed calls for a review of the country’s memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Kuwait, which was signed in May 2018.

“I think we should [review the MOU] because according to [Labor] Secretary [Silvestre] Bello [III], there has been a breach in the agreement signed by the two countries,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said at a press briefing.

Before the government signed the MOU, the Philippines enforced a deployment ban to the emirate due to abuses suffered by Filipino workers at the hands of their Kuwaiti employers.

The ban was triggered by the murder of Joanna Demafelis, whose body was found in a freezer in an apartment previously occupied by her employers.

The latest victim, Constancia Lago Dayag, 47, died after suffering physical and sexual abuse.

“[Bello] is putting the government of Kuwait to task. He is investigating, and the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) is waiting for an autopsy report,” Panelo said. —Julie M. Aurelio

Gov’t starts crackdown on 12,000 illegal foreign workers

MANILA, Philippines — The government has begun a crackdown on some 12,000 illegal foreign workers, mostly employed by Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) companies, who do not pay taxes.

In a statement on Monday, the Department of Finance said Secretary Carlos Dominguez III ordered the Bureau of Immigration and the state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) last week to step up their joint inspection of establishments suspected of employing unregistered foreign workers.

During the meeting of a task force that monitors and tracks down the foreign Pogo workers, the Department of Labor and Employment reported that 12,000 of the 37,000 workers employed by the 148 Pogo establishments had no work permits.

The labor department also found that 20 Pogo companies did not register as service providers with Pagcor. —Ben O. de Vera

Ejercito: I am not an obstructionist, but I feel I won

MANILA, Philippines — He may be lagging behind in the tally of votes in the senatorial election, but Sen. JV Ejercito on Monday said he felt he “won” his reelection bid.

Facing reporters before the Senate resumed session after the election break, Ejercito said he did not harbor any rancor toward his close friend Sen. Nancy Binay, who led him by more than 80,000 votes in the official and partial vote count of the Commission on Elections.

“Truth to tell, I feel I won deep inside,” a visibly dejected Ejercito said.

“After the elections, I felt the outpouring support of the people, even on social media. As I have told you, it’s not my personality to be obstructionist. If it’s for the good of everybody, [I’m ready] to sacrifice my own career,” he added. —Marlon Ramos