VICE PRESIDENT Jejomar Binay’s resignation from President Simeon Benigno Aquino’s cabinet as chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and as presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workeris as expected and seen as long overdue, though he masterfully done a calculated political balancing act in the hope of getting PNoy’s endorsement for May 2016 presidential election and only after realizing lately that he won’t get PNoy’s endorsement.
Now that Binay has resigned as Aquino’s adviser on OFWs affairs, we could expect that Pres. Aquino will appoint Binay’s replacement. With a great deal of political concessions and patronage before ending his tenure, Mr. Aquino is perceive to appoint his adviser on OFW affairs from among his closest political allies or partymates. Someone who is capable of continuing the government thrust on intensified export of Filipino labor.
On the other hand, we are not expecting the Aquino govt. with a newly appointed presidential adviser to squarely face the problems and many issues confronting Filipino migrant workers abroad especially those in the Middle East. Victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking, abuses, physical and sexual, labor violations, and the miserable plight of the jailed, undocumented and stranded, which will steadily increase amid government inadequate onsite assistance and protection.
Mr. Aquino is nearly at the terminal point of his 6-year tenure and as it is his prerogative to appoint new presidential adviser on OFW affairs, we, the OFWs, have nothing to expect but continued government lip service and neglect. (John Leonard Monterona – the author is the Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.)
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