Manila, Philippines — Some groups of Overseas Filipino Workers in Europe have announced plans of a zero remittance week as a form of protest and support to former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who is currently detained in The Netherlands due to his case in International Criminal Court (ICC).
The said zero remittance week move was initiated by group MAISUG Croatia, and is supposedly set on March 28 until April 4, held simultaneously with Duterte’s 80th birthday on Friday.
Following this, the Malacañang Palace have called on OFWs to remain calm amidst the issue at hand, and focus more on the move’s possible impact, not only in the country but to their families that they support.
“Sana’y maging patas din po sila sa kanilang pananaw, para po maibsan ang anumang pwedeng kahinatnan ng kanilang gagawin. Pero syempre po, kung hindi sila magreremit ng mga maaaring ipadala sa mga pamilya nila, hindi lamang gobyerno ang maapektuhan pati ang kanilang mga pamilya. So, sana po ay maging mahinahon tayo sa mga ganitong issues,” Castro stressed.
In another press briefing on Wednesday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro expressed confidence that some overseas Filipino workers will not participate in the zero-remittance week movement.
“Nakita ko po sa ibang mga comments, na yung mga ibang mga OFW ay sinabi nilang hindi sila lalahok dahil magugutom ang kanilang pamilya. Maaapektuhan ang pamilya nila kapag sinunod ang zero remittance,” Castro explained.
Castro also emphasized that the Philippine government is not an enemy of OFWs, and urged them to wisely decide on their actions as this may also affect their own families, and not be victims of fake news.
Senate President Francis Escudero also briefly commented on the matter, acknowledging OFWs’ rights for a movement but also citing its impact on their families.
“Karapatan po nila yon pero makakasakit ‘yon hindi lamang sa ating ekonomiya, pero sa maraming pamilyang Pilipino na umaasa sa kanilang mga kamag-anak at mahal sa buhay para sa kanilang gastusin. But that is that is a peaceful mode of protest na hindi ipinagbabawal ng batas. Kaya nga lang, syempre, makakaapekto ‘yan sa ekonomiya at personal na pangangailangan ng marami sa ating mga kababayan,” Escudero noted.
Despite these plans and actions, the Palace does not see any legal issues yet regarding the matter.