KIKO PRESSES DFA TO GET
TO BOTTOM OF PINAY'S DEATH IN UAE;
PUSHES GOV'T FOR BETTER OFW BENEFITS

Supporting the call for justice of OFW Evelyn Milo's family, Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to determine whether there was foul play in the Filipina's death, and urged government to channel its attention to long-term programs that will encourage OFWs to invest and stay in the country.

"Our authorities need to intervene immediately and ensure that this is not another case of foul play against our OFWs. It is disheartening, not to say sickening, how not a few hardworking Filipinos overseas meet this kind of fate, and that Philippine officials can only step in for them when, evidently, it is too late. Nagpapakahirap na nga sila para sa kanilang pamilya, tumutulong na nga sila sa pagpapalago ng ating ekonomiya, ganito pa ang sasapitin nila sa ibang bansa."

Evelyn Milo was reported to have committed suicide by jumping off a building in Abu Dhabi in the UAE in August 10. Evelyn's mother however alleges that she saw bruises on her daughter's legs and what looked like strangle and stab marks on her chest. The Filipina's remains arrived in the country in August 19.

Sen. Kiko said "the government should stop encouraging Filipinos to find work abroad. Instead, it should institute long-term solutions such as creating more jobs and providing investment opportunities for our kababayans abroad."

Kiko is the author of Senate Bill No. 1254 or the Overseas Filipino Investment Bill, which encourages Overseas Filipinos to save, invest and engage in business here in the Philippines.

"Given a choice, I don't think anyone would want to be separated from his/her loved ones. We are therefore pushing for incentives and benefits for our Overseas Filipinos (OF), to make it more viable for them to invest and engage in business here in the Philippines and make their savings work for them and their loved ones."

Under the Overseas Filipino Investment Bill, OFWs may apply for certification from the Philippine Overseas and Employment Agency, the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration (OWWA) or the Department of Foreign Affairs, to avail of savings and risk-free investment facilities, enjoy preferential benefits and privileges in availing funds from government financial institutions (such as the Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, etc.), apply for tax exemptions, and tap Local Government Units for assistance, among others.