UP Ibalon Bicol: Coalition Against the Trafficking of Women

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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

Alec Baldwin’s racist remark draws ire from Filipinos

5/19/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

It’s probably said in jest when American actor Alec Baldwin, a 51-year old divorcee remarked of having a Filipino mail-order bride. In the Late Show of David Letterman on May 12, the former husband of Kim Bassinger said, “I think about getting a Filipino mail order bride at this point or a Russian one. I don’t care, I’m 51.”

It seems to be a little issue. But the comment drew anger from Filipinos who have been maligned before, the most recent was HK columnist Chip Tsao saying that Filipinos are a nation of maids. Lawmaker Risa Hontiveros and Jean Enriquez, executive director of the Coalition Against Trafficking of Women-Asia Pacific were vocal in condemning Baldwin’s remarks.

They have reasons to be mad because the trafficking of women from the Philippines (many as mail-order brides,) has been one of the saddest facets in the lives of exploited people worldwide. In the Philipines alone, it is estimated that a staggering number of Filipino women and children, numbering between 20,000 and 100,000, are victimized by human smuggling.

In Baldwin's book "A promise to ourselves: A Journey Through Fatherhood and Divorce," the actor with co-author Mark Tabb (Martin Press, 224 pages) tells of a stormy divorce and his experience of having to deal with “parental alienation syndrome”--- digging into what is wrong with the divorce system in America. By writing the book, he seems someone who can be taken seriously.

But by joking on Filipinas and the Russians, he exposed his ignorance and insensitivity. He trivialized the suffering of impoverished people he doesn't know---those forced into marriage to strangers under very difficult circumstances. (Photo Credit: ctv.ca) =0=

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Labels: Alec Baldwin, Chip Tsao, Coalition Against the Trafficking of Women, human rights, human smuggling, insult, Mail Order Brides, political correctness, racial slur, women

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Ambassador Lauro Baja’s abuse cases of Pinay maid

Alec Baldwin’s racist remark draws ire from Filipinos

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