I am re-posting a copy of REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10590 – otherwise known as The Overseas Voting Act of 2013 – for your information, reflection and guide to action. Remember, OFWs and Dual Citizens will continue to exert minimal influence, if any, on Philippine affairs and politics unless they have people in government bodies and councils that articulate, promote and protect their voice, yearnings and aspirations, and legitimate interests. But they can place people in government only if they have a very big bloc of votes comparable in percentage to the size of their population, about 10-12% of the total Philippine population. gov.ph/2013/05/27/republic-act-no-10590/ The OFWs and Dual Citizens also have a lot to offer to Philippine society: their own skills, the knowledge and wisdom, technology and techniques they have gleaned from their host countries. This is apart from the fact that it is their right vested in their sector by virtue of the fact that they have without fail contributed for decades now to the maintenance and viability of Philippine society. This is expected to continue for several decades into the future. What the OFWs and Duals have done for society is easily seen if we make a comparison of Remittances from Overseas Filipinos to the size of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) within the same period. Take any year and compare the statistics from 1990-2010. But Friends, based on the tepid response on the subject matter even highlighted in the name of the FB group “Increase representation of Dual Citizens & OFWs in Phil Governance,” an impression is building up in me that it is ONLY THE DUAL CITIZENS who are KEEN ON INCREASED REPRESENTATION in Philippine governance. The OFWs DO NOT CARE about it one way or the other, for as long as they are left alone when their situation is at least tolerable, and as long as they are assisted when they are helpless. Or is it due to the fact that Pinoys and Pinays really lack the “Seriousness Factor?” Whats your opinion, impression or suspicion? Is this state of affairs good for us, onshore and offshore Pinoys and Pinays, and for the entire country?
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 09:46:26 +0000