Established in 2021, the One Filipinos Worldwide (OFW) Party-list advocates for the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers and their families—making sure that the voices of Filipinos abroad are heard and their needs are addressed.
Incumbent Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino sits down with Jon Santos to discuss why her party-list deserves to be re-elected in the 20th Congress in “Know Your Candidates” over at People’s Television Network (PTV).
Protecting the welfare of Filipino workers
Three years since it earned a seat in the House of Representatives, the OFW Party-list has already filed a total of 66 principally authored legislative measures, including the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers and Electronic Registration and Voting Act for Overseas Workers.
Signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sept. 23, 2024, Republic Act No. 12021 aims to protect the rights and welfare of domestic and overseas Filipino seafarers, as well as to promote their full employment by improving their education, training, and skills.
“Ang Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers ay para… to protect the welfare and the living conditions of our seafarers—nand’yan po ‘yong edukasyon, nand’yan po ‘yong kanilang medical [needs], nand’yan po ‘yong right for an open legal representation na libre, nandoon po ‘yong karapatan na if anything happens to them, pamilya po muna nila ang dapat makaalam,” Magsino explained.
House Bill No. 10178, meanwhile, seeks to expand the registration and voting options of overseas Filipino voters by including online registration and voting using electronic devices.
The lawmaker also stressed the need for “good working conditions” in the Philippines to address the issue of “brain drain,” or when Filipinos choose to seek better job opportunities abroad, particularly teachers and nurses.
“Ngayon ang problema sa ating bansa, paano sila mag-i-stay sa bansa o paano natin sila pababalikin? Number one, we have to create a very good working condition; the salary must increase para naman masabi nila na enough ang kikitain nila kung mag-i-stay sila sa Pilipinas,” Magsino said.
In concluding the episode, Jon Santos reminds Filipino voters that choosing the country’s next leaders in the upcoming midterm elections is more than just shading their names on the ballot, they must scrutinize the candidates’ values, backgrounds, and platforms. As the saying goes, don’t be shy to ask, “Qualified ka ba?”
Get to know Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino and the OFW Party-list in the full episode of “Know Your Candidates”:
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