Migrant Filipinos have spoken.

The survey conducted by MIGRANTE-International, the global alliance of overseas Filipinos, has shown the disgust of Filipinos abroad on the utter failure of the Estrada government to address the issues and demands of migrant workers all over the world. A resounding eighty-six per cent (86%) of the 1,706 Filipinos surveyed in North America, Europe and Asia and 76% of the 713 respondents in Hong Kong - have expressed their dissatisfaction over the administration’s inutility in solving the problems of OFWs and their families in the Philippines. Moreover, 2/3 of the OFWs have given a 0 - 4 performance rating for the government whose money-milking rackets are prioritized over its responsibility for providing services, protecting the rights and upholding the welfare of migrant Filipinos.

President Estrada well deserves this verdict.  For his only claim to fame is the rampant corruption and cronyism in his administration, theatrical grandstanding of concern for the people’s welfare, fanatic loyalty to foreign powers, and further impoverishment of Filipinos.

Recent events have proven the absolute bankruptcy of the Estrada government. Consider these:

1. Migrant Filipinos and their families who have been victimized by the Gulf War have not been given the compensation that they rightfully deserve. Worse, the long-given war compensation fund from the UN was made to sit in the banks to earn monstrous interests which have found its way into the personal account of Under Secretary Benjamin Domingo of the Department of Foreign Affairs;
2. The dubious tax memorandum issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue which unjustly and illegally penalizes OFWs who failed to file for exemption;
3. The favors and protection of the Estrada government for the likes of Lucio Tan, Danding Cojuangco, Dante Tan, and his other numerous cronies;
4. The scandalous "payola" (payoff) in the Congress in relation to the approval of the Omnibus Power Bill. The said bill will pave the way for the privatization of the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) and subsequent power rate hikes;
5. The callousness of Estrada’s treatment on the legitimate demands of the Filipino workers for an increase in the minimum wage, an end to anti-labor laws and policies, and for better working conditions.

The list gets longer. Unfortunately for Erap, the same is not true for the people’s patience.

The Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong is equally guilty as its high lord in Malacañang for the deteriorating and deplorable conditions of migrant Filipinos and our families. Our demands for the various issues that we brought to the consulate authorities since 1998 remain unheeded. Its pitiful attempts to address the issues remain as it is - pitiful, empty and a long shot from effectively solving the problems of migrant workers. Instead, the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong and other Philippine government extensions in other countries have increased the burden of overseas Filipinos with their extortion and exaction schemes.

Indeed, the stench of a regime rotten to the core has already reached the four corners of the world. The migrant Filipinos, have added their voices to the rising discontent of the Filipino people. We have had enough of a government which has denied us of our rights as migrant workers for years. We have had enough of a regime which willfully exports its people to slavery in other countries. We have had enough of a government swarming with corrupt cronies and politicians. We have had enough of a government kowtowing to every needs and demands of its foreign masters.

Migrant Filipinos have spoken and our message is loud and clear: Enough of the Estrada government!

4 May 2000

United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-HK)