Press Release
December 10, 2007

KIKO WELCOMES RANARIO SENTENCE COMMUTATION; PRESSES GOV'T FOR BETTER OFW BENEFITS

"Until government provides enough decent-paying jobs, Ranario's case will not be the last!" --- KIKO

While welcoming news of OFW Marilou Ranario's death sentence being commuted to life imprisonment in Kuwait, Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today urged government to double its efforts at job-generation and better OFW benefits "to prevent Filipinos overseasfrom meeting this dire fate."

"We laud PGMA for the successful efforts in preventing the execution of Ranario. Sadly however, we know that until our economy is strong enough to provide decent-paying jobs for our labor force, Ranario's case will not be the last.,"Kikosaid.

The President flew to Kuwait Sunday on the way home from an eight-day trip in Europe. Accompanied by Foreign Secretary Aberto Romulo, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye and party, PGMA called for the commutation of Ranario's sentence from death to life imprisonment. Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah granted the President's appeal.

"More than having no less than the President flying to a country to plead for the life of our countrymen, the DFA, DOLE and OWWA will have to find ways and means to prevent a repeat of this case by providing the necessary legal and material support for our OFWS facing similar situations. But more than this, the government should stop encouraging Filipinos to find work abroad. Instead, it should think of long-term solutions such as creating more jobs and providing investment opportunities," Kiko added.

Kiko is the author of Senate Bill No. 1254 or the Overseas Filipino Investment Bill, which encourages Overseas Filipinos to save, invest and engage in business here in the Philippines. Under the Overseas Filipino Investment Bill, OFWs may apply for certification from the Philippine Overseas and Employment Agency, the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration (OWWA) or the Department of Foreign Affairs, to avail of savings and risk-free investment facilities, enjoy preferential benefits and privileges in availing funds from government financial institutions (such as the Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, etc.), apply for tax exemptions, and tap Local Government Units for assistance, among others.

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