Share |

Content about Middle East

February 16, 2012
Charice's Valentine TV special to air globally

"It feels so good to be home," said the Filipino international singing sensation Charice Pempengco as she opened her Valentine TV special Charice: One for the Heart, which aired last Sunday on GMA-7. As a Filipino, the Philippines may be her 'home,' but as an international performer, the whole world is her 'stage.'

And so, after "wowing" her Filipino fans locally, Charice is set to amaze her global following as GMA Network broadcasts the special globally through its international channel GMA Pinoy TV on February 17 (Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific) and February 19 (U.S.A and Canada) , in all territories covered by the said channel.

"It feels so good to be home," said the Filipino international singing sensation Charice Pempengco as she opened her Valentine TV special Charice: One for the Heart, which aired last Sunday on GMA-7. As a Filipino, the Philippines may be her 'home,' but as an international performer, the whole world is her 'stage.'

January 18, 2012
Filipino communities overseas, all eyes on Corona impeachment

MANILA, Jan. 18, 2012—The entire Filipino communities, here and abroad, are keeping an eye on the on-going impeachment trial against Chief Justice Renato S. Corona, which has started Monday, January 16.

Migrante Middle East regional director John Leonard C. Monterona, in an email said, that their chapters in the entire oil-rich region would be spending long hours watching the trial over the internet and via cable television.

MANILA, Jan. 18, 2012—The entire Filipino communities, here and abroad, are keeping an eye on the on-going impeachment trial against Chief Justice Renato S. Corona, which has started Monday, January 16.

Migrante Middle East regional director John Leonard C. Monterona, in an email said, that their chapters in the entire oil-rich region would be spending long hours watching the trial over the internet and via cable television.

January 6, 2012
DOJ recommends plunder charges vs 2 ex-AFP chiefs, 9 others

MANILA, Philippines (Jan 6, 2011) - Giving credence to the testimonies of a former military budget officer alleging large-scale corruption in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) before the Senate last year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday recommended the filing of plunder charges against two former military chiefs and nine other people.

According to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, former AFP chiefs Diomedio Villanueva and Roy Cimatu are among those who the DOJ recommended to be charged with non-bailable crime of plunder.

MANILA, Philippines (Jan 6, 2011) - Giving credence to the testimonies of a former military budget officer alleging large-scale corruption in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) before the Senate last year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday recommended the filing of plunder charges against two former military chiefs and nine other people.

According to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, former AFP chiefs Diomedio Villanueva and Roy Cimatu are among those who the DOJ recommended to be charged with non-bailable crime of plunder.

January 5, 2012
Cao’s replacement as POEA chief, grave mistake—group

ANTIPOLO City, Jan. 4, 2011—President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III had made a huge mistake replacing Atty. Carlos S. Cao Jr. as Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) chief.

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said in a statement that Cao’s replacement is “rude and fast” and might hamper the delivery of services by the agency to migrant workers. He also said that the poor lawyer had been a victim of “power struggle” inside the agency, being a “newcomer” in POEA.

ANTIPOLO City, Jan. 4, 2011—President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III had made a huge mistake replacing Atty. Carlos S. Cao Jr. as Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) chief.

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said in a statement that Cao’s replacement is “rude and fast” and might hamper the delivery of services by the agency to migrant workers. He also said that the poor lawyer had been a victim of “power struggle” inside the agency, being a “newcomer” in POEA.

December 27, 2011
100 distressed OFWs in Abu Dhabi spend Christmas in shelter

MANILA, Dec. 25, 2011—At least 100 overseas Filipino workers had spent their Christmas in jam-packed temporary shelter provided by the Philippine Government in the Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates’ capital city.

Mostly absconders, John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante-Middle East said, these OFWs had run away from their abusive employers, sought the help of the Philippine Embassy, hoping that they could be repatriated immediately. But sad to say, most of them have already stayed at the Bahay Kanlungan for about three to six months now.

MANILA, Dec. 25, 2011—At least 100 overseas Filipino workers had spent their Christmas in jam-packed temporary shelter provided by the Philippine Government in the Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates’ capital city.

Mostly absconders, John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante-Middle East said, these OFWs had run away from their abusive employers, sought the help of the Philippine Embassy, hoping that they could be repatriated immediately. But sad to say, most of them have already stayed at the Bahay Kanlungan for about three to six months now.

December 22, 2011
Migrante-ME mobilizes chapters to help Sendong victims in Mindanao

MANILA, Dec. 21, 2011—Migrante chapters in different parts of the Middle East opened their lines to receive donations for the victims of the flash floods in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, Mindanao, which has already claimed hundreds of lives, most of them children.

In a statement, John Leonard C. Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante-Mideast said that they had already coordinated with different Filipino communities and migrant workers’ organization in Saudi, Qatar, and in United Arab Emirates.

 

MANILA, Dec. 21, 2011—Migrante chapters in different parts of the Middle East opened their lines to receive donations for the victims of the flash floods in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, Mindanao, which has already claimed hundreds of lives, most of them children.

In a statement, John Leonard C. Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante-Mideast said that they had already coordinated with different Filipino communities and migrant workers’ organization in Saudi, Qatar, and in United Arab Emirates.

December 2, 2011
Tax on SSS, Pag-IBIG contributions, injustice to OFWs—group

 

ANTIPOLO City, Dec. 2, 2011—It would be an injustice for the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) if the Bureau of Internal Revenue will continue its plan of imposing taxes to their Social Security System (SSS) and Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG).

In a statement sent to media, John Leonard C. Monterona of Migrante-Middle East (ME) said most of the OFWs are paying more than the mandatory contribution to ensure that they would have enough money to loan to own a house (in case of Pag-IBIG) and for bigger monthly pension in case they can’t go back to work abroad as a contract worker.

ANTIPOLO City, Dec. 2, 2011—It would be an injustice for the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) if the Bureau of Internal Revenue will continue its plan of imposing taxes to their Social Security System (SSS) and Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG).

November 4, 2011
Deployment ban: Band-aid solution vs OFW abuse—group

ANTIPOLO City, Nov. 3, 2011 - Despite the Philippine Government’s imposition of a deployment ban for 41 countries, a migrant workers’ right watchdog said it would never stop the abuse against Filipino migrant workers elsewhere in the world.

ANTIPOLO City, Nov. 3, 2011 - Despite the Philippine Government’s imposition of a deployment ban for 41 countries, a migrant workers’ right watchdog said it would never stop the abuse against Filipino migrant workers elsewhere in the world.

November 3, 2011
Syria agrees to Arab plan amid violence, doubts

CAIRO (AP) — Syria accepted an Arab League proposal yesterday calling for it to withdraw armored vehicles from the streets and stop violence against protesters in a bid to end the country's seven-month-old political crisis, an agreement that was met with deep skepticism by Syria's opposition.

Qatar's Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim urged Damascus to follow through with action on the ground amid concern that Syria has continued its bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters despite international condemnation and previous promises of reform...

CAIRO (AP) — Syria accepted an Arab League proposal yesterday calling for it to withdraw armored vehicles from the streets and stop violence against protesters in a bid to end the country's seven-month-old political crisis, an agreement that was met with deep skepticism by Syria's opposition.

November 1, 2011
Despite US threats, UNESCO votes for Palestine full membership

 

PARIS (AP) — Palestine became a full member of UNESCO on yesterday in a highly divisive breakthrough that will cost the agency a fifth of its budget and that the US and other opponents say could harm renewed Mideast peace efforts.

Soon after the vote, the United States cut funding to the organization because of a US law that bars funding an organization that has Palestine as a member before an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal is reached.

PARIS (AP) — Palestine became a full member of UNESCO on yesterday in a highly divisive breakthrough that will cost the agency a fifth of its budget and that the US and other opponents say could harm renewed Mideast peace efforts.

Soon after the vote, the United States cut funding to the organization because of a US law that bars funding an organization that has Palestine as a member before an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal is reached.

November 1, 2011
Despite US threats, UNESCO votes for Palestine full membership

 

PARIS (AP) — Palestine became a full member of UNESCO on yesterday in a highly divisive breakthrough that will cost the agency a fifth of its budget and that the US and other opponents say could harm renewed Mideast peace efforts.

Soon after the vote, the United States cut funding to the organization because of a US law that bars funding an organization that has Palestine as a member before an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal is reached.

PARIS (AP) — Palestine became a full member of UNESCO on yesterday in a highly divisive breakthrough that will cost the agency a fifth of its budget and that the US and other opponents say could harm renewed Mideast peace efforts.

Soon after the vote, the United States cut funding to the organization because of a US law that bars funding an organization that has Palestine as a member before an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal is reached.

September 16, 2011
The War on Terror: Is the World More Secure?

The U.S. is now trapped in a global war of its own making. It will be embroiled in more wars possibly in the next 10-20 years as a result of which it will create more enemies and make the use of force a long-term necessity.

August 5, 2011
Syrians protests to continue during Ramadan

Syrian troops stormed the restive city of Hama on Sunday, the day before the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Tanks have now been shelling the city for three days. A human rights organisation reported 136 people were killed across the country on Sunday. Syrian protestors have vowed to demonstrate every night during Ramadan.

Syrian troops stormed the restive city of Hama on Sunday, the day before the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Tanks have now been shelling the city for three days. A human rights organisation reported 136 people were killed across the country on Sunday. Syrian protestors have vowed to demonstrate every night during Ramadan.

August 4, 2011
GMA Network consolidated revenues in Q2 soar 14 percent to P3.587 billion vs. Q1

Leading broadcast company GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) showed strong momentum in the first half of 2011 as it improved regular advertising revenues and nationwide ratings

Quezon City , Philippines (August 2, 2011) – – Leading broadcast company GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) showed strong momentum in the first half of 2011 as it improved regular advertising revenues and nationwide ratings – the industry players’ two most important performance indicators – quarter-on-quarter.

Given GMA’s sustained nationwide dominance since the start of the year, GMA posted a 14 percent increase worth P449 million in consolidated revenues to P3.587 billion in the second quarter from the previous quarter’s P3.138 billion.

July 12, 2011
No cause to panic yet about Saudization - OWWA

NAGA CITY  (July 12, 2011) –  Applicants for domestic works in Saudi Arabia need not panic at this time because Saudization is not yet implemented and, if ever, Arab employers still have the prerogative on who to hire and many prefer Filipino workers.

NAGA CITY  (July 12, 2011) –  Applicants for domestic works in Saudi Arabia need not panic at this time because Saudization is not yet implemented and, if ever, Arab employers still have the prerogative on who to hire and many prefer Filipino workers.

This was the assurance of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Region 5 to those who applied for work in Saudi Arabia.

May 19, 2011
DFA Orders Repatriation of Pinoys in Syria

Philippine embassy in Damascus, Syria shall start offering voluntary repatriation to Filipino workers in Daraa, Latakia and Homs in the Syrian capital.

MANILA, Philippines -  Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has ordered the Philippine embassy in Damascus, Syria to start offering voluntary repatriation to Filipino workers in Daraa, Latakia and Homs in the Syrian capital.

Del Rosario visited Damascus over the weekend to assess the political situation in Syria and check the condition of 43 Filipinos who have taken shelter in the embassy.

Some 110 Filipinos are in Daraa, 2,400 in Latakia, and 1,600 in Homs, according to the DFA

May 1, 2011
Nation Celebrates First Labor Day Under P-Noy

MANILA, Philippines (May1 2011) - The country celebrates its first Labor Day under the Aquino administration today with calls from the labor sector for President Aquino to uplift their standard of living.

MANILA, Philippines (May1 2011) - The country celebrates its first Labor Day under the Aquino administration today with calls from the labor sector for President Aquino to uplift their standard of living.

The Philippine National Police went on full alert as part of its security preparations for today’s celebration, anticipating a huge rally dubbed as the People’s Day of Outrage Protest from the labor sector.

April 27, 2011
GMA faces plunder raps over OWWA fund misuse

MANILA, Philippines -  Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and three of her former officials were charged with plunder and other offenses before the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday.

Arroyo’s spokesman declined to comment until she has seen the complaint.

Ma. Elena Bautista-Horn said she is still trying to secure a copy of the complaint.

February 25, 2011
Albay Governor Urges Congress for P750-M Emergency Supplemental Budget for Repatriation of OFWs in Middle East

LEGAZPICITY, Feb. 24 -- Albay Governor Joey Salceda on Thursday urged Congress to pass a P750-million emergency supplemental budget to be used in repatriating overseas Filipino workers (OFW) caught in the armed conflict in four countries in the Middle East.

LEGAZPICITY, Feb. 24 -- Albay Governor Joey Salceda on Thursday urged Congress to pass a P750-million emergency supplemental budget to be used in repatriating overseas Filipino workers (OFW) caught in the armed conflict in four countries in the Middle East.

Salceda expressed dismay over the blame-throwing antics displayed by congressmen during Wednesday's Congressional inquiry on the status of OFWs working in Libya, Bahrain, Yemen and Egypt.

February 7, 2011
Overseas Irigueños Join Annual Harvest Festival

IRIGA CITY (5 February 2011)—THE ASSOCIATION of overseas Irigueños from the U.S., Europe and the Middle East have arrived in this locality for the annual “Tinagba Festival”, considered the most celebrated harvest festival in the Bikol region in February.

IRIGA CITY (5 February 2011)—THE ASSOCIATION of overseas Irigueños from the U.S., Europe and the Middle East have arrived in this locality for the annual “Tinagba Festival”, considered the most celebrated harvest festival in the Bikol region in February.

Iriga City Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen bared that among the highlights of the festival this year is “Tinagba Magbinaydan 2011” a grand home-coming of overseas Irigueños chaired by Melchor N. Margallo.

January 10, 2011
OFWs Remain Neglected Under Aquino

MANILA — After nine years of neglect under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, expectations among overseas Filipino workers were high when the Aquino administration was installed.
Arroyo’s nine year rule left some 7,000 Filipino migrant workers jailed, more than 10,000 stranded in the Middle East alone, 108 in death row and six beheaded. Arroyo’s waning months as president could have provided President Benigno S. Aquino III a bird’s eye view of the hardships that OFWs went through.

MANILA — After nine years of neglect under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, expectations among overseas Filipino workers were high when the Aquino administration was installed.
Arroyo’s nine year rule left some 7,000 Filipino migrant workers jailed, more than 10,000 stranded in the Middle East alone, 108 in death row and six beheaded. Arroyo’s waning months as president could have provided President Benigno S. Aquino III a bird’s eye view of the hardships that OFWs went through.