KIKO PRESSES GOV'T TO SAVE PINAY FROM DEATH ROW IN TAIWAN; PUSHES GOV'T FOR BETTER OFW BENEFITS

Following a Taiwanese court's decision to grant Filipina overseas worker Cecilia Alcaraz more time to appeal her death sentence, Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today called on Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs to swiftly intervene in the case's resolution, and urged government to channel its attention to long-term programs that will encourage OFWs to stay and invest in the country.

"For a country that relies heavily on its overseas workers for economic relief, it is appalling how inadequate our OFW programs are, and how not a few hardworking Filipinos overseas meet this kind of fate. We have been here so many times before--Flor Contemplacion in 1995, the four OFWs in Saudi Arabia in 2005, Reynaldo Cortez in 2007 and Jenifer Bedoya just this October. Should it really cost a life to earn a living?" Kiko lamented.

Alcaraz, 47, left for Taiwan to work as an English teacher in 2005. She was arrested last year for allegedly killing and robbing a Taiwanese and was recently sentenced to death. Department of Foreign Affairs reveals that since January 2006, the department has handled 64 probable death row cases, 24 of which have been commuted. Thirty-four OFWs are facing death penalty.

"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, who 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, said.

"Given a choice, I don't think anyone would want to be separated from his/her loved ones. We are therefore pushing for incentives and benefits for our Overseas Filipinos (OF), to make it more viable for them to invest and engage in business here in the Philippines and make their savings work for them and their loved ones."

With an estimated $8B worth of remittances every year from OFWs, the Senator believes that there's a market that can be tapped to ensure that Filipinos abroad will have the chance to be reunited with their families.

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.