UNOFFICIAL PHL. 2013 ELECTION RESULT FOR SENATORS & PARTY LIST
Unofficial Philippine 2013 election results for Senators & Party List
Saudi-Philippine labor pact formally takes effect
Philippine Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz and Saudi Deputy Labor Minister Mufarrej bin Saad Al-Haqbani exchange documents after signing the labor agreement. (AN photo)
RIYADH: Philippine Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz and Saudi Deputy Labor Minister Mufarrej bin Saad Al-Haqbani signed a labor agreement Sunday on the hiring of Filipino household service workers (HSWs). Al-Haqbani signed on behalf of Labor Minister Adel Fakeih.“The agreement is historic and today is a very significant day in Philippine-Saudi bilateral relations,” said Baldoz. The agreement is the first by the Saudi Ministry of Labor with a manpower-supplying country.
“This agreement heralds an era of stronger bilateral labor cooperation between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia for the protection and welfare of Filipino HSWs in the Kingdom,” she said.
The agreement comes after Saudi Arabia and the Philippines agreed on a standard labor contract last year, which shall govern the employment of HSWs in the Kingdom.
The Saudi Press Agency reported that the agreement is for five years and can be extended automatically for similar periods. It will also incorporate the formation of a joint working group to meet on a regular basis to discuss and resolve the problems of HSWs who include housemaids, baby sitters, laundrywomen, family drivers, cooks and gardeners.
“We expect that 60,000 out of an estimated 670,000 OFWs in Saudi Arabia will immediately benefit from this agreement, which lays down areas of cooperation between the two countries,” Baldoz said.
The agreement includes the following:
1. A mutually acceptable recruitment and deployment system;
2. The recruitment of domestic workers through agencies that practice ethical recruitment and are licensed by their respective governments;
3. Prohibition of charging or deducting any cost attendant to recruitment and deployment from the worker’s salary;
4. The right of recourse to authorities in case of contractual disputes in accordance with applicable laws and regulations;
5. Legal measures against recruitment offices, companies or agencies for any violation of applicable laws, rules and regulations; and
6. Resolution of any issue arising from the implementation and enforcement of the agreement.
Embassy Opens Field Office for Travel Documents and Releasing of Surrendered Passports
Embassy Opens Field Office for Travel Documents and Releasing of Surrendered Passports
The Filipino community is advised that the Philippine Embassy will be opening a field office in Riyadh for the following consular services:
WHAT : CONSULAR FIELD OFFICE FOR
- Travel Documents
- Releasing of Found Surrendered Passports
- Extension of Found Surrendered Passports
- Requesting Search for Surrendered Passports
WHERE : ELITE International School ( Olaya District, P.O. Box 60949, Riyadh 11555)
WHEN : Saturday, 18 May 2013 – Wednesday, 5 June 2013 (Saturdays to Wednesdays, 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
The Embassy would like to remind Filipinos that the current grace period of the Saudi Government for correcting irregular residency and labor status ends on 3 July 2013.
Those who have no new employer to transfer to, especially those without a valid passport, are advised to go home to the Philippines before the end of the grace period. They can still return to Saudi Arabia in the future if they are able to obtain valid visas.
Travel Documents
Those requiring Travel Documents are those who intend to go home to the Philippines during the current grace period.
The requirements for Travel Documents are:
- Colored photo with white background (preferably passport size)
- Duly-accomplished passport application form (available both at the field office and from the Embassy website)
- Copy of old passport or other supporting documents
- No fees, free of charge
Found Surrendered Passports
Those who received calls from the Embassy can claim their found surrendered passports at the consular field office. The passport will be only be released to the person it was issued to. No representatives allowed. This service is free of charge.
Those who want to extend the validity of their found surrendered passports can also do so at the consular field office. The extended validity will be one year. The fee is SAR 80.00
Filipinos can also come to the consular field office and submit a request, via a drop-box, to find his / her surrendered passport in the Embassy’s database. The Filipino should then await a call from the Embassy regarding his request. Request forms are available at the field office. This service is free of charge. (END)
Source:
Philippine Embassy in Riyadh (Press Release No. PR-088- 2013 15 May 2013)
Is campers action justified? or just an act of stupidity!
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Is campers action justified? or just an act of stupidity!
I am not against the campers; maybe I would do the same if I was in their shoes especially if I feel I’m trapped and nowhere to go. However, we can’t justify an illegal action as “an exemption to the rule”. Moral justification by way of obstructing the law of the host nation cannot be moral; a questionable act thinking it is right under the circumstances is not the answer to all of our anxieties.
I would like to remind my fellow OFWs once again that in Saudi Arabia, the workers may it be their nationals or foreign workers are strictly prohibited from organizing, may it be a group of individuals forming an association, more on calling strikes against employers or the authorities. It means social organizing like camping together for a purpose; especially in public places are very much prohibited.
End of last year, the Saudi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced banning any expatriate organization or association in the entire Kingdom. The said statement directed all foreign missions in Saudi Arabia to comply and prevent the creation of community organizations and immediately cancel formation of such and their activities without permit from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Though the mentioned directives raised questions than answers among expatriate communities, the MFA didn’t bother to reason out why there was such an order.
The recent developments reported in Arab News today that about 2,000 Filipino workers are still camped outside the Philippine Consulate to put pressure on Philippine officials to speed up the processing of their paperwork is not the solution to their problems. The advisory on Procedures to Obtain Final Exit for Repatriation announced by the Embassy is clearly set out that there are still steps to follow and needed to be done prior repatriation proceedings. Camping outside the Embassy or Consulate premises is an illegal form of assembly according to their law. The worst case scenario is that the Saudi authority might treat this matter even seriously and massive arrest will happen in the next days to come. Di bali kung hindi kayo arestohin dahil may rasyon kayong natatanggap sa ating Embahada or Konsulado, ang problema kung sa kulungan kayo mapunta, maniwala kayo kabayan ang kulungan sa Saudi mas massahol pa sa kulungan sa Pinas.
I also don’t believe that the campers are running out of food and water, the Embassy and the Consulate are providing you daily of your basic provisions like water and food. Hindi nga lang kasama ang hinihingi nyong GOLD, mukha yatang sobra na ang pagka “spoiled” ng mga campers natin, pati Gold kasama sa mga hinihingi. Dito nga sa Embahada masaya ang mga campers, may DISCO pa between eating, napping and sleeping time.
Acting helpless in order to gain pity or sympathy differs from acting like stupid to seek attention from others or authorities. – BongA
“One who makes himself a worm cannot complain afterwards if people step on him” – Immanuel Kant
Advisory on Procedures to Obtain Final Exit for Repatriation
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Advisory on Procedures to Obtain Final Exit for Repatriation
The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh advises all Filipinos in the Kingdom who have decided to be repatriated to the Philippines of the procedures of concerned Saudi authorities for repatriation.
Pursuant to the announcement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labor on the exemptions and facilitations approved by Royal decree regarding violations of the rules and regulations of residency and labor laws, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh informs all Filipinos of the following procedures for repatriation:
FOR MEN
Requirements
1. Iqama (or copy of iqama)
- In the absence of iqama, must be able to provide the iqama number
2. Valid Philippine Passport or Philippine Travel Document (TD)
- Visit philembassy-riyadh.org for instructions on how to retrieve “surrendered” passports;
- If you do not have a valid passport, request for the issuance of TD, submit copy of passport (or any other ID showing picture and full name) and 2 pcs. passport-size photos. TD issuance is free of charge.
Procedures:
- Ensure clearance from pending liabilities (car registrations, bank loans, etc.)
- Apply in person to the Directorate General for Expatriates (Idaratul Wafeedin). See attached map.
- Secure your immigration record print-out
- Secure an endorsement for issuance of exit visa
- Secure exit visa stamp
- Secure immediate airline booking. Exit visas expire within 7 days.
The no objection of the previous employer is not a requirement.
FOR WOMEN (SEMI-SKILLED AND SKILLED WORKERS)
Requirements
1. Iqama (or copy of iqama)
- In the absence of iqama, must be able to provide the iqama number
2. Valid Philippine Passport or Philippine Travel Document (TD)
- Visit philembassy-riyadh.org for instructions on how to retrieve “surrendered” passports;
- If you do not have a valid passport, request for issuance of TD, submit copy of passport (or any other ID showing picture and fullname) and 2 pcs. passport-size photos. TD issuance is free of charge.
Procedures:
- Apply in person to the Directorate General for Expatriates (Idaratul Wafeedin). See below map.
- Secure your immigration record print-out
- Secure an endorsement for issuance of exit visa
- Secure exit visa stamp
- Secure immediate airline booking. Exit visas expire within 7 days.
FOR WOMEN HOUSEHOLD SERVICE WORKERS (HSWs)
(For endorsement to the Saudi Social Welfare Authority-SSWA)
Procedures:
- Ensure that you have previously enlisted for assistance with the Embassy.
- If you have not yet enlisted, call Mr. Richard Senerez of POLO-Riyadh at 011-481-6448.
- If you have enlisted, POLO is calling female HSWs for endorsement to the SWA in batches of 30 per day and calls days in advance. Please wait for the call. If you are called and you say you are not ready, you will be drop to the end of the list.
There is no need to come to the Embassy, POLO-Riyadh or Bahay Kalinga to enlist.
All Filipinos are advised to regularly visit the Embassy’s website at www.philembassy-riyadh.org for updates and advisories on the latest developments.END
Source: Philippine Embassy in Riyadh/ No. PR-086- 2013/ 14 May 2013
Location: Directorate General for Expatriates (Idaratul Wafeedin)
2013 SENATE & PARTY LIST of PHILIPPINES Partial Result
LIVE RESULTS
Party-list representation in the House of Representatives of the Philippines refers to a system in which 20% of the House of Representatives is elected. While the House is predominately elected by a plurality voting system, known as a first-past-the-post system, party-list representatives are elected by a type of party-list proportional representation. Under-represented sectoral groups, such as labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, women, youth, and other sectors as may be provided by law except the religious sector, may participate in the party-list election. The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines created the party-list system.
The determination of what parties are allowed to participate—who their nominees should be, how the winners should be determined, and the allocation of seats for the winning parties—has been controversial ever since the party-list election was first contested in 1998 and has resulted in several landmark Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and Supreme Court cases.
Party-list representatives are determined in a party-list election, where the voter votes for the party and not for the nominees (closed list), the votes are then arranged in descending order, with the parties that won at least 2% of the national vote are given one seat, with additional seats determined by a formula depending on the number of votes garnered, with no party winning more than three seats. If the number of sectoral representatives does not reach 20% of the total number of representatives, parties that haven’t won seats are given a seat each until the 57 seats are filled up. A voter therefore has two parallel votes in House of Representatives elections — for district representative and for the party-list representative. Neither vote affects the other.
Party-list representation makes use of the tendency for proportional representation systems to favor single-issue parties, and applies that tendency to allow underrepresented sectors to represent themselves in the law-making process. Source: wikipedia
The following list below with corresponding votes are known OFW Party List group vying for a seat to represent OFWs in Philippine Congress under Party List System in the Philippines 2013 Midterm Election.
a) OFW Family Club, Inc. ( 593,472 )
b) TUCP Trade Union Congress Party (308,764)
c) ANGKLA: Ang Partido ng mga Pilipinong Marino, Inc. (296,318)
d) Ang NARS Inc. (202,748)
e) Bayani Party-list (126,592)
f) Alyansa ng OFW Party (36,841)
g) Migrante Sectoral Party of Overseas Filipinos and their Families (29,971)
Note: Votes cast for the party list 22,579,907
- 2% of votes cast for the party list 451,598
- Nation-wide voter turn-out 60.33%
- As of May 18 10:06 pm
Source: RAPPLER.COM
OAV 2013: The day I cast my vote
May 10, 2013 (Friday) The Day I cast my Vote
at Philippine Embassy-Riyadh
Govt goes full throttle to correct expat status
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The Ministry of Labor has ordered all the labor offices to work in the evening and on Thursdays, if required, during the grace period as it expects a heavy rush of applications for rectification of residence and labor status of expats following Friday’s announcement of concessions.
Ninety percent of the services for expats are done online to avoid long queues at labor offices.
Labor Minister Adel Fakeih met late last night with diplomats from labor-supplying countries in a closed-door meeting in Riyadh to discuss the new regulations governing expatriate labor.
Representatives from Pakistan India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Philippines and other countries participated. One South Asian diplomat described the meeting as “excellent.”
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of illegals have registered with their consulates over the past 30 days in an effort to get airline tickets, consulates and embassy officials told Arab News.
An estimated 6,000 Pakistanis, 60,000 Indians, nearly 10,000 Filipinos, 7,000 Sri Lankans and other nationalities have sought permission to leave the Kingdom.
Mohamed Nazmul Islam, consul general of Bangladesh, told Arab News that those who registered themselves with the consulate earlier to go home are now seeking transfers of iqamas following the announcement.
Expat teachers have found little relief in Friday’s announcement, as the Ministries of Labor and Interior have not covered expats under the sponsorship of relatives in their concessions.
School authorities have expressed concern regarding the transfer of iqamas of female staff.
First, teachers want a guarantee that they can transfer their iqamas to the sponsorship of their fathers or husbands in case their contracts are terminated. Second, if their male guardians lose jobs, they may be allowed to continue residing in the Kingdom on a “mahram” status since women need male guardians to live in the Kingdom.
Finally, the schools should give workers family status should they decide to transfer their iqamas to the schools’ sponsorship. – ARABNEWS/13/05/2013
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Meanwhile, the Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) in Makkah Province, Director Abdullah Shahri, announced that the SCE has found 1,050 fake degrees among expatriates engineers in Saudi Arabia and they are subject for early deportation.
Engineers whose degrees were found forged came from the Philippines (317), India (178), Pakistan (92), Egypt (89), Syria (53), Jordan (44), Lebanon (44), Sudan (40), Palestine (35), Bangladesh (16), China (12), Yemen (12), France (10), South Korea (7), The UK (7), Sri Lanka (5), Turkey (4), the US (4) and Cyprus (3). There were also 29 Saudis holding a fake engineering degree.
All local and expatriates professional engineers working in the Kingdom must be registered with the Saudi Chamber of Commerce. Without this membership an expatriate engineer can’t renew his residency permit (iqama).
Article 3 of the Statutes of Saudi Council of Engineers states : The membership of the Council of Engineers consists of:
1. Primary membership: It comprises all Saudi graduates in engineering disciplines or equivalent, practicing this profession.
2. Associate membership includes:
a. All non-Saudi engineers holding a university degree or equivalent in any engineering discipline, and working in the engineering field in the Kingdom.
b. Technicians, students, and those interested in engineering science and apply for membership.
c. Professional engineering offices and companies authorized to practice engineering profession in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
3. Honorary membership: It is awarded by the Council’s Board of Directors to those who make distinguished contribution to serve the Council. Honorary members are exempted from subscription fee.
Saudi Council of Engineers is a scientific professional body independently handling its financial obligations, and operating under the supervision of Ministry of Commerce. -end-
related link: Country’s pride is at stake
Embassy’s Security Guard Harassed by Campers, Health of Children at Risk
FEATURED NEWS : Updated 05/07/2013
Embassy’s Security Guard Harassed by Campers, Health of Children at Risk
The Embassy’s security guard today was harassed by members of the group illegally camped inside the Embassy’s compound as the Embassy brought to hospital two of the campers’ children. The continued hesitance of the campers to accept the Embassy’s offer to relocate puts at risk the health and well-being of the children.
The Embassy received reports that its security guard was collared by male members of the group camped inside the Embassy’s compound. Camal, a Nepali national, was also kicked by women from the same group.
The incident occurred after the Embassy brought to hospital two of the children camped with their mothers inside the Embassy. One of the children had a fever while the other was suffering from hydrocephalus. read more>>>>
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Embassy’s Offer of Shelter Refused by Overstayers; Health of Children at Risk
Overstayers camped inside the Embassy grounds today refused several appeals by Embassy and POLO officials including Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin H. Tago for them to be relocated to a resthouse rented by the Embassy to shelter the mothers and their children. The Embassy raised concerns over the consequence of their decision on the health of the children.
At 11:00 PM, Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin H. Tago and other Embassy officials met 72 Filipinos who had earlier entered and set-up camp within the grounds of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. The Ambassador appealed to the Filipino overstayers to be relocated at a local esteraha (resthouse) rented by the Embassy.
The dialogue occurred as a sandstorm started. It also followed two dialogues earlier today initiated by Embassy officials with the group.
“I am deeply concerned for the health and safety of the campers, especially the children. While we are aware of their desire to be repatriated immediately, the Embassy feels it would be best for all of them to go to the resthouse and remain there while the Embassy processes their repatriation”, remarked Ambassador Tago.
The Filipinos camped within the grounds of the Embassy are composed of 30 females, 21 children and infants, and 21 male adults.
The Embassy has been making representations for the expeditious repatriation of overstaying Filipinos in Riyadh, including the mothers and children who had earlier registered with the Embassy for assistance.
The Embassy will continue to extend appropriate assistance to the Filipinos camped inside the Embassy. Its offer for temporary relocation remains despite hesitation from the group. (END)
PhilEmb No. PR-078 – 2013 / 04 May 2013
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More Campers Move to Philippine Consulate Building
The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah has reported to the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh that more women and children have relocated to the Philippine Consulate building in Jeddah.
Consul General Uriel Norman Garibay, in his daily report to the Philippine Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs, reported that a total of 67 women and 57 children have relocated to the Consulate’s fourth floor – the temporary accommodations offered by the Consulate for women and children who have camped next to the Consulate building.
Consul General Garibay called on the rest of the women and children to agree to relocate to the Consulate building, stressing that the Consulate remains steadfast in coordinating with the local authorities for their exit clearances and repatriation. “There is still plenty of space at the fourth floor that could accommodate more women and children”, reported CG Garibay.
The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah has confirmed that the number of Filipinos next to its building has ranged from 700 to 1000, averaging 906 in the past 7 days. The Consulate has been conducting a daily count of the campers, the last on 1 May 2013.
Read more>>>>>>>
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No Need to Come to Embassy and Camp Out for Repatriation
The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has received inquiries from Filipinos to verify calls to them by certain individuals encouraging overstaying Filipinos to come to the Embassy, POLO and the Bahay Kalinga and camp inside the premises of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and in areas located adjacent to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) or Bahay Kalinga in Riyadh, in order to seek repatriation.
The Embassy reminds Filipinos in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that public rallies and protests are a violation of Saudi law, and impacts on the ability of the Embassy to deliver much-needed consular services to the Filipino community.
The Embassy has not authorized any person or group regarding such action, nor has made any representations with the Government of Saudi Arabia for any such arrangement.
Filipinos with irregular status who are affected by recent developments and stricter implementation by Saudi authorities regarding labor and immigration law violations need only visit the Embassy or POLO to have their respective cases documented and enable them to be given appropriate advice or assistance.
At present, the Embassy is taking information of overstaying Filipinos for documentation purposes, and these cases are endorsed to the Saudi authorities for their appropriate consideration and resolution in accordance with existing regulations.
For information regarding assistance that the Embassy can extend, Filipinos may call the following:
In Jeddah and regions under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah (Regions of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Tabuk, Al-Madinah, Abha, Jizan, Najran)
•0555-219-613
•0561-956-142
In the regions of Riyadh, Hail, Qassim, Northern Border, Al-Jouf:
•054-591-7834
In the Eastern Region:
•050-126-9742
OFW Family Party List letter to PNoy
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OFW Family Party List (Memo to President BSN III)
Heartfelt congratulations on your selection by Time Magazine as the 2nd most influential person in the world in 2012 in a list of 100. You do me and my family so proud as Filipinos.
Mr. President I wish that you can directly act on the problems of the 3000 stranded OFWs including children in KSA now staying in make-shift tents in virtually boiling temperatures.
Ambassador Ezziden Tago and his staff are among the best of our foreign service officers but their present staff just could not cope with the magnitude of the problem.
The law (Sec. 27, RA 8042) says that the “highest priority concern” of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Ambassadors is the protection and welfare of Filipinos overseas. I don’t see this to be the case right now insofar as the 3000 distressed OFWs are concerned. Mr. President may i recommend the following:
1. Invite the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Palace and request him to make representations with King Abdullah to allow the stranded OFWs to stay in their air-conditioned sports stadium;
2. Instruct our Ambassadors in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Iran, to proceed to KSA immediately to assist Ambassador Tago;
3. Release a substantial amount from your calamity fund to defray the cost of the repatriation of the stranded OFWs; Needless to say, this is a calamity;
4. Request fellow ASEAN countries to urge their flag carriers to provide free air tickets to the stranded Filipinos to Manila and by way of reciprocity, provide the same privilege to fellow ASEAN citizens on Philippine flag carriers who may be encountering the same problems in the KSA;
5. Gather the familes in the regions in the Philippines of the 3000 in KSA and give them appropriate psychological counseling, financial assistance on account of the sudden job dislocations of their breadwinners, and other forms of assistance.
Be on top of the situation Mr. President after all, you are the Commander-in-Chief of the 10 million army of OFWs who are waging the war against poverty in the Philippines albeit in various war zones overseas. Just like any army and just like any kind of war, there are casualties. The 3000 in KSA and their families in the Philippines are casualties Sir. They need to be urgently attended to under your personal orchestration Sir.
Respectfully,
Ambassador Roy
Each day brings more OFWs into Jeddah camp
FEATURED ARTICLE:
Hundreds of Filipino expatriates are camping under the sweltering sun in dozens of tents that have been pitched close to the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah’s Rehab district. They are hoping to catch the first available flight to their home country.
Distress OFW Camp in Jeddah
As their numbers swell by the day, the conditions at the camps have become unbearable, according to Filipinos flooding the makeshift camping site.
Lack of food, water and sanitation facilities have only added to the miseries of the stranded workers, including women and children.
Arab News saw some of the expats strolling aimlessly along the narrow alleyways opposite Umm Al-Qura Road while women and children kept themselves to the ubiquitous tents.
With a view to easing their suffering, good Samaritans in the Filipino community brought in food and baby milk for their stranded compatriots.
Additional policemen were deployed in the area as a precautionary measure. Passport Department officials visited the area yesterday.
Senior diplomats at the Philippine Consulate have met local authorities and requested them to facilitate the repatriation of the workers. The diplomats have also doubled up efforts to get in touch with the sponsors of the illegal workers for the mandatory “no objection certificates.”
A majority of workers in the camp are from Riyadh and the Eastern Province. They believe it is easier to get their exit papers processed at the Jeddah consulate.
The workers have been camping at the place for five days now.
“On the first day, we have had only 34 workers,” said a diplomat. “Most of them were from Dammam. The figure has now gone up to 675, and it includes nearly 50 children and toddlers.” read more >>> AN
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Paging ALYANSA NG OFW Party List (#58) and OFW Family (#4) , it’s about time to prove that you really represents OFWs – Please do a little help or perhaps magpakitang gilas. Napakagandang oportunidad upang malaman ng mga botanteng OFWs na kayo ay karapat-dapat umupo bilang boses ng Mangagawang Pinoy sa Ibayong Dagat. Alalahanin po ninyo mga kagalang-galang na mga NOMINEES, marami pa po sa amin ang hindi pa nakaboto, malayo pa po ang Mayo 13, 2013.
SIGE NGA!!!!!! DALIAN NYO!!!! Naghihintay po ang mga readers ng OFW Empowerment Blog kung SINO sa INYO!!! Be reminded, hindi po puwedeng MAGING DALAWA ang PUSO Namin! Kaya - DO IT NOW!!!!
Absentee Overseas Voting Starts in Al-Khobar, Eastern Saudi Arabia
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Overseas absentee voting went on as scheduled on April 13, 2013 in Al Khobar, the Eastern Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Six voting precincts at the Al-Jazeera International School opened and started accepting voters at 8:00 in the morning.
Al Khobar
OAV
Voting shall go on for one month until 13 May 2013.
There are more than 24,000 overseas Filipinos who registered earlier in the region. The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO-ERO) in Al-Khobar shall be notifying establishments, companies and corporations employing Filipinos about the significance of the national elections.
Overseeing the orderly and peaceful conduct of elections are the men and women duly deputized by the Commission on Elections. They compose the Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEIs) and Special Ballot Reception and Custody Group (SBRCG) who will be on duty full time during the prescribed voting hours.
In Al-Khobar, the Voting schedule for the month-long elections shall be:
April 13 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturdays to Wednesdays 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Thursdays and Fridays 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
May 13 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Counting of ballots shall start immediately after the last vote has been cast and will go on without interruption until all votes have been counted. Right after the counting, the results will be brought to the Philippine Embassy Riyadh for canvassing by the Special Board of Canvassers.
Beating all registered voters to the draw to be the first to cast his vote was Conrado V. Jimenez. “The right to vote is so sacred and precious to me that I do not want to be late. I have to be at the voting precinct before it opens,” quipped Mr. Jimenez.
As has been the trend in the region during the conduct of previous overseas absentee voting, Saturdays to Wednesdays will be lean-turnout days while there is a noticeable upswing in the number of voters during Thursdays and Fridays.
However, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh invites all Filipinos to go out and vote as EARLY as possible. ##
PhilEmb Press Release No. 058-2013 14 April 2013
Automated Overseas Voting in Riyadh Starts Successfully
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The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh today successfully started the first day of automated elections for Overseas Absentee Voters (OAV). A total of 149 Filipinos cast their votes in Riyadh during the first day of elections. The Embassy invites all registered Filipinos to vote as soon as possible and until 13 May 2013.
A total of 149 Filipinos cast their votes during the first day of the automated elections in Riyadh. Engr. Alexander Javier who works as a Business Development Manager for DongHo Korean Saudi Limited Company was the first to cast his vote in Riyadh.
The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh is one of seven (7) Philippine foreign service posts to adopt the Automated Election System (AES) for the 2013 OAV National Elections. The Philippine Embassy was provided eight (8) Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) Machines.
Fellow OFW Absentee Voter during the first day of automated elections for OAV 2013
Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ezzedin H. Tago, also cast his vote during the first day of automated elections. “I invite all my kababayans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to exercise their right to vote and choose the next leaders of our country. Kasali po tayo dito!,” said Ambassador Tago.
The Embassy invites all registered Overseas Absentee Voters (OAVs) in Riyadh, Central and Northern Regions of Saudi Arabia to cast their votes on the following schedule:
Saturdays through Wednesdays – 9am to 5pm
Thursdays and Fridays – 10am to 6pm
13 May (last day) – 8am to 2pm
Those who will vote are advised to:
1.Look if their names are included in the Certified List of Overseas Voters (CLOV) for Riyadh posted at the Basketball Court of the Embassy.
The Certified List of Absentee Voters is also available online at: http://www.philembassy-riyadh.org/index.php/overseas-absentee-voting
2.Bring their Philippine Passport (or photocopy). If not available, any Philippine-issued ID card (driver’s license, SSS, Pagibig, Philhealth, PRC, etc.) or iqama showing name and picture.
3.Bring a prepared list or kodigo of preferred candidates for 12 senators and 1 party-list organization to avoid delay in casting votes.
The Embassy also advises Filipinos who will vote of the following:
It is prohibited to take photographs of one’s accomplished ballot;
Proper attire should be observed. Those in short pants, “sando” and similar attire will not be allowed to enter the Embassy’s premises; and, promptly leave the polling area after voting to provide space to others.
**PhilEmb Press Release No. 057-2013 / 13 April 2013
Steps to rectify status during the three-month grace period
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Steps to rectify status during the three-month grace period in view of implementation of Saudi Labor Law amendments
The grace period instituted by the Saudi government is meant for violations of the Saudization policy (nitaqat) – specifically those foreign workers who work for employers who are not their sponsors, and those employers who do not employ enough Saudi nationals. Those who fall under this category have violated Saudi labor law. The Saudi government will go after the erring original sponsor, the current employer and the illegal worker if they do not correct their papers once the grace period is over.
PHL Ambassador to Saudi Arabia H.E. Amba. Ezzedin Tago w/ Labor Minister H.E. Adel Faqieh (Mar. 25, 2013)
The Filipino community is strongly urged to read the FAQ prepared by the Embassy with regard to this grace period.
Those who have long run away from their original sponsors and no longer have valid residency permits (iqamas) or passports are a different category altogether. Theirs is an immigration problem. There are existing procedures – under Saudi law – for addressing their issues.
The Embassy is always ready to provide appropriate advice and assistance in any case. However, their respective solutions – for those violating the labor law and for those violating immigration law – are different.
For example, for workers affected by the Saudization policy, they need to either return to their original sponsor or to transfer sponsors to their actual current employer by following existing regulations. Those working as “freelancers” or under a dependent’s visa should keep in mind that it is a violation to work with a freelance or dependent visa. They should take steps to transfer their iqama immediately before the end of the grace period.
On the other hand, for workers falling under the immigration problem category, they will need to be ready with their last valid residency card (iqama) and valid passport or a copy of the last passport. If they do not have a copy of their iqama, they can obtain a print out of the information from the Jawazat.
They will also need to get in touch with their original sponsors when they first arrived in Saudi Arabia and request from them a No-Objection Certificate. And they will need to go to the General Directorate for Passports (Jawazat) for the payment of fines and penalties, and the airfare for the flight to the Philippines.
Lastly, as of this time there is no amnesty for foreign nationals illegally staying in Saudi Arabia. It was only a proposal made by Labor Minister Adel Fakieh, which is still under study by various concerned Saudi agencies.
The Embassy has previously advised the Filipino community in Saudi Arabia not to believe in rumors that there is an amnesty. The Embassy will advise the Filipino community once it receives official notification from Saudi government authorities of any development with regard to immigration law. There is also no truth to the rumor that the Philippine Government will shoulder all expenses (fines and airfare) for the repatriation of overstayers.
The Embassy will soon disseminate the translation of procedures for various transactions with the General Directorate of Passports, and will also disseminate any official notices it receives from the host government.(END)
PhilEmb Press Release 054-2013
It’s all about Saudization – It’s up to you
***
The recent developments of the Saudi authorities’ serious effort to get rid of illegal workers and runaway expatriates are all about Saudization. We all knew.
All foreign workers and or expatriates in the Kingdom should understand that the move of the Saudi government is to give priorities to their nationals. And of course illegal foreign workers has no right under the Saudi law to stay longer in this country. We can’t deny that for over many many years Saudi Arabia has been an expatriate’s haven and in fact the influx of foreign workers in various nationalities started soon after oil was discovered in the late 1930′s by the grace of God in exchanged for their almost barren desert land.
Saudi Aramco’s 57 pages ”Saudization guide for Contractors” defines Saudization as placing skilled, qualified Saudis in career fields to create economic growth for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This definition contains four key concepts: the commitment of all stakeholders, investment in a Saudi workforce for the long-term, dedication to developing quality skills, and promotion of economic prosperity of individual citizens.
It is very clear that the Saudi government is very serious in their Saudization program, to encourage employment of Saudi nationals in the private sector largely dominated by expatriate workers.
Therefore, His Highness Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah issuance of the temporary reprieve for expats who are working in the country without proper papers is indeed a good news to expatriates working illegally in the Kingdom. It is not only for the expatriates but to erring employers as well.
However, the statement is very clear that after the grace period of three months to “correct their status” the law “will be enforced against those who remain in violation”.
It means the series of raids that have recently taken place at businesses suspected of employing foreign workers who did not have the correct papers will again be the news of the day after three months. Labor Minister Adel Fakeih yesterday called on all illegal foreign workers to make use of the three-month grace period given by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to correct their status.
The Labor Minister in Arab News today said “It’s a good opportunity for expats to correct their situation as there is no justification for the stay of foreigners who work for firms other than their sponsors or for their own accounts.”
So, to all illegal expats, runaway foreign workers (refers to foreign runaway workers presently working on illegal status) crook and erring employers; it is about time to do the right thing once and for all. The only thing you should do is to comply with the directives and the Labor ministry would provide all facilities needed.
The Labor Minister also said that to those expats who could not renew their iqamas or residency permits because of their own reasons or that of sponsors, who may have slipped into the red or yellow categories of the Nitaqat system, there is a good news too, the Ministry will see to it that the green and platinum categories would be able to recruit those workers of companies in the red and yellow that failed to correct their status.
Again folks, it is not government harassment and or violation of human rights, it is for the good of all expatriates, the employers and the country as well, who is very serious in their Saudization program. Or else mark my word there will be more series of raids after three months.
So it’s up to you, continue to run and hide and face the consequences? or be home for good. – It’s all up to you. – (BongA)
***
“Saudi Arabia is the land of the Two Holy Mosques and no person should be frightened in this land, even if it means carrying out the law of the land.” – Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques His Highness King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz
Related Link:
We are forced to flee like criminals ( April 13, 2013 )
Expats under Nitaqat red can’t correct their status (April 12, 2013)
Philippine Ambassador Meets Saudi Minister of Labor (March 25, 2013)
Philippine missions set for elections
Philippine diplomatic missions are preparing for their country’s midterm elections due on May 13.
However, overseas polling will take place a month in advance. It will begin in the Kingdom on April 13 and end on May 13. Saudi Arabia hosts the largest number of overseas Filipino voters. The voters are eligible to vote for a presidential candidate, vice president, 12 senators and one party-list organization.
Registered Overseas Absentee Voters are urged to watch AVPCOS Machine Demonstration on how to VOTE for April 13 to May 13, 2013 Election. Just click this image to watch the video. Thanks!
The autonomous election commission (Comelec) has decided to use state-of-the-art voting machines for the first time at seven overseas stations, including Riyadh and Jeddah. Called precinct count optical scan machines, they will be installed in the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the Jeddah Consulate next week.
“A special team from Manila will train embassy and consular employees to operate and handle the automated voting machines,” said Red Genotiva, vice consul at the Philippine Embassy. “The diplomatic missions in the Kingdom are getting ready for the polling process,” he told Arab News.
The number of registered voters in the Kingdom is fewer compared to the total number of Filipinos here. Even among the registered voters, only a small percentage turned up to cast their votes in the last two elections.
JEDDAH: IRFAN MOHAMMED (Tuesday 2 April 2013 Arab News)
Important update:
To all OFWs who are Registered voters or Overseas Absentee Voters, please be advised that the COMELEC has reinstated the 238,557 registered overseas Filipinos who failed to vote in the last past two election. It means that you are in the list of Absentee Voters that are qualified to cast votes in the April 13 to May 13, 2013 Philippine Midtern Election.
Please GO OUT and VOTE! Ang BOTO Pahalagahan MO! Huwag Sayangin ang BOTO! Ipaabot ang nagkakaisang tinig ng OFWs, GAMITIN ang KARAPATANG MARINIG!
Be reminded that ”people who don’t vote have no line of credit with people who are elected and thus pose no threat to those who act against our interests.” (Marian Wright Edelman-Rights Activist)
IF YOU ARE NOT A “VOTER” YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO CRITICIZE POLITICIANS. – BongA
2013 Philippine National Year of Rice
Click campaign ad above or simply 
to visit NYR2013 campaign website
and
be part of the change, be an advocate.
From: Kapuso Network
***
Pagbati mula sa Pilipinas at Kapuso Network!
Ako po si Mike Cristobal at nagtatrabaho para sa GMA Channel 7 dito sa Pilipinas. Kasalukuyan po ako gumagawa ng storya patungkol sa mga kababayan natin at OFWs na uuwi sa Pilipinas ngayong Linggong ito.
Alam naman po nating lahat na ngayong Marso ang buwan ng pagtatapos o graduation para sa ilan nating mag-aaral dito sa Pilipinas, at panahon at pagkakataon din para makauwi ang ilan nating kababayan para maki-celebrate sa pagtatapos ng kanilang mga anak sa pag-aaral, elementary, highschool o college man.
Naghahanap po kami ng mga cases na ito na willing magpakuha ng video at magpa-interview:
- isang ofw na matagal nang hindi nakikita ang kanilang anak at balak sorpresahin na uuwi para samahan sa stage at maki-celebrate sa graduation ng anak.
- isang ofw na never nakita ang anak at uuwi para sa graduation
- o any related case, maaaring ang asawa niya ang magtatapos ng pag-aaral o kung sino man na ang dahilan ng paguwi ay ang graduation ng kanilang ka-anak.
Yun lang naman po. Ito po ang aking mobile number kung sakaling nais niyo po ako matawagan ng mas mabilis: +639156223067. Though online naman po ako lagi. Heto naman po ang aking email add na ginagamit ko sa trabaho jmgcristobal@gmail.com .
Sana po makapagtulungan po tayo sa hangarin namin magbigay ng kuwentong kapupulutan ng aral at inspirasyon sa bawat manonood ng aming programa.
Maraming Salamat po.
Lubos na gumagalang,
MIKE CRISTOBAL
Program Researcher
News and Public Affairs
GMA Network, Inc.
Philippines
632-982-7777 local 1426 / 1427
