Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang has urged overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to reconsider withholding remittances for a week in protest against the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, warning that this would impact the government and their families.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a media briefing on Tuesday, March 25, that OFWs should remain calm and exercise restraint.
“Mas gugustuhin po natin na maging mahinahon ang bawat Pilipino sa ganitong klaseng isyu. Sana po ay malaman din po nila na ang pamahalaan at ang gobyerno ay tumutupad lamang sa ating batas,” said Castro.
[Translation: We would rather that every Filipino remains calm on this issue. We hope they understand that the government is merely upholding the law.]
“Kung hindi po sila magkakaroon at hindi sila magri-remit ng kanilang mga maaaring ipadala sa mga pamilya nila, hindi lamang po gobyerno ang maaapektuhan, pati ang kanilang mga pamilya. So, sana po ay maging mahinahon tayo sa ganitong mga klaseng issues,” she added.
[Translation: If they choose not to remit, it is not only the government that will be affected but also their own families. So, we hope everyone remains calm in dealing with these issues.]
Some OFW groups, such as Maisug Croatia in Europe, have announced plans for a week-long remittance boycott in protest of Duterte’s arrest and detention in The Hague, Netherlands.
“Sana ay maging patas din po sila sa kanilang pananaw para po maibsan no ang anumang puwedeng kahihinatnan ng kanilang gagawin,” Castro added. (We hope they will also be fair in their perspective to mitigate any possible consequences of their actions.)
In a Facebook post, the group said the Marcos administration must recognize its “grave mistake” against Duterte.
“A week of zero remittances will send a strong message. This is a significant loss for the Philippine economy, and the administration must heed the call of OFWs,” the group said.
