UP Ibalon Bicol: "I Accuse"

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Ambassador Lauro Baja’s abuse cases of Pinay maid

8/30/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

Former Philippine Ambassador Lauro l. Baja remains accused by his domestic helper Marichu S. Baoan. Out of the 15 charges, the accuser and her lawyers rounded them to 12 charges that included forced labor, trafficking, peonage, slavery, and involuntary servitude. Her lawyers filed an amended complaint without the the violation of the racketeer influenced and corrupt organization act (RICO).) Baja is given 20 days from August 18, 2009 to answer the charges.

“Baoanan complained that she worked at the Bajas as domestic helper for three months, her visa facilitated by Labaire International Travel. The Bajas collected fees from her, provided her temporary housing and organized her travel from the Philippines to New York. She was forced to work 18 hours a day, seven days a week with no days off for three months and paid merely $100…

Baoanan is taking action under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, federal and state labor laws, and common law to recover her lawful minimum and overtime wages, other damages, attorneys’ fees. She is also seeking redress for violations of her basic human and civil rights.”----GMANews.Tv (08/26/09, Lariosa, J.G.)

Charges against the Bajas are pretty serious. If true, they reflect the discordant lifestyle of Filipinos that I mentioned in the blog before. The accusations are cautionary tales for Filipinos who dream of ritzy life-styles in USA cum maids in tow, but don’t have enough money, or a least plan to scrimp, to sustain such luxury. Circumventing the law, particularly by high Philippine officials on foreign assignments adds to the multiple black eyes our country suffer in the international stage.

An embarrassing story like Ambassador Baja’s is reminiscent of Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo’s travels outside the country. Feeling the pinch of a jet-setter’s lifestyle with accusations of abuse and extravagance, the president creates an ugly picture about us Filipinos. It's the whole nation that bears the brunt.

The best policy therefore is still to live within one’s means---any extras, like having a maid in America or eating in a plush restaurant at New York’s Le Cirque restaurant at P1,000,000 a throw can spell trouble. (Photo Credit: filipinoexpress)

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Labels: "I Accuse", Ambassador, Coalition Against the Trafficking of Women, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), foreign travel, Lauro Baja, legal case, maids, OFW

I Was Not Surprised When Erap Was Deposed In 2001

11/28/2008 | Posted by myty555 | Edit Post

I was not surprised when Erap was deposed in 2001 by the supposed "EDSA II". I got an inkling of it way back in 2000.

Filipinos invariably talk about elections. In a gathering in Ibalon in 2000 there was a talk of who will probably succeed Erap after the 2004 elections. Of course the majority said that Gloria is the frontrunner being the sitting Vice-President and a former topnotcher in Senate elections. The somebody shot back, "What made you think Erap will finish his term".

The person was close to some powers as is some of the other members. "What is the lesson of EDSA?" The same person answered the question, "The military is pivotal".

That set me thinking. And watching.

Soon the "I Accuse" speech of Sen. Guinnago came out. Next came the Villar "touchdown". Afterwards, the impeachment melodramas in the Senate that was broadcast live nationwide. After that, "Itsa Dos".

A friend asked me why I was not high on Gloria (like most of the educated then). Told him I lived in Iligan City and "isinusuka sila doon ng tao". Gloria spent her early years there. It was the place where her mother practiced medicine and it is where their true ancestral house in located (not in Pampanga unlike what most people supposes).

I asked a relative why. "Masama ang ugali. Manggagamit". And it is said that the place where one came from knows the person best.

The person added, "Gloria never forgot the humiliation of her father. She idolized him." I didn't know then if the words were a warning to me.

And that got me thinking of the Harry Stonehill case and the subsequent canning of then Secretary of Justice Jose Diokno.

"Think of it, mga padi. If Gloria succeeds Erap in 2001 and wins in 2004, that is 10 years. Lot of time to really do something".

But I don't think now that the person really knew then how black Gloria's bones are.

Labels: "I Accuse", EDsA II, Erap, Gloria, Harry Stonehill, Iligan City, Jose Diokno

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Ambassador Lauro Baja’s abuse cases of Pinay maid

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