Zero OFW remittance on GMA birthday vowed

ANGELES CITY – Members of Migrante International vowed yesterday “zero remittance” on President Arroyo’s birthday on April 5.

“This is the OFW sector’s contribution to the Filipino people’s legitimate search for truth and accountability in the highly anomalous NBN-ZTE deal,” said Maita Santiago, Migrante International secretary general.

“It is also aimed at adding pressure to the mounting calls for either the resignation or removal of Arroyo from the presidency. Zero remittance will be the OFW’s birthday gift to GMA.”

Santiago said overseas Filipino workers have had enough of being treated as mere “exhaust valves” by the administration.

“So expect a not so happy birthday, Gloria,” she said.

Santiago said OFWs have resorted to zero remittance not only to protest corruption in government, but also to protest the “criminal neglect” of “OFWs in distress” by the government.

Migrante expects more OFWs to join the zero remittance campaign as their member organizations worldwide have already gathered thousands of signatures from OFWs signifying their intent not to remit money on Mrs. Arroyo’s birthday, she added.

Santiago said Migrante regional chapters nationwide have already resolved to drum up support for the zero remittance campaign in their areas during a consultation on March 16 and 17.

OFWs in Hong Kong started their zero remittance campaign early this month at the height of calls for Mrs. Arroyo’s resignation, she added. – Ding Cervantes, Mayen Jaymalin