By Daisy CL Mandap
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| Filcom leaders hand over petition for Labatt Dela Torre's retention to Congen Morales |
Some of
the biggest Filipino migrant groups in Hong Kong were rejoicing late on April
Fool’s Day over news that Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre’s stint in Hong Kong
had been extended indefinitely.
But the
news was no joke. In a last-minute turnaround, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello
III issued a memo dated Apr 1 stating that Labatt Dela Torre was to continue in
his post “until further notice.”
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| Labatt Jolly will serve "until further notice" |
The
order reversed an earlier directive dated Mar 28 designating Assistant Labor
Attache Antonio Villafuerte as office-in-charge at the Philippine Overseas
Labor Office effective Apr 5 “until the arrival of a new Labor Attache.”
The new
memorandum addressed to Labatt Dela Torre stated: “Further to the Memorandum
dated 28th March 2019, you are hereby instructed to continue to
discharge your duties and functions in POLO Hong Kong until further notice.”
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| Bello reversed an earlier memo designating an POLO OIC |
The
reason for the sudden change of heart was not clear, but it could be due to the
Department of Labor’s failure to secure an exemption from the ban on the
movement of civil service personnel during the election period, which for this year runs from Jan 13 to Jun 12.
Eman
Villanueva of Bayan Muna Hong Kong and Macau, has assailed the recall order for
Dela Torre during the election period, calling it anomalous and “suspicious.”
But
Labor’s flip-flop could also be to the widespread support given by the Filipino
community to a petition to get Dela Torre stay in Hong Kong for at least six
more months.
Dela
Torre’s three-year tour of duty was supposed to end on Mar 31, but many Filipino
community leaders had petitioned for his extension, citing the six months he
was recalled by Bello to the Home Office to respond to apparently unfounded
accusations of impropriety.
The
leaders of the petition were elated by the news Dela Torre was to stay until a
replacement for him was designated, a process that could take several months.
“To God
be the glory,” said Bishop Gerry Vallo of the Global Ministers Association of
Hong Kong in a chat group.
“Yes!
God is really good. Ang saya saya!,” said Leo Selomenio, chair of Global
Alliance.
“Yahooo…tagumpay.
Napalukso ako,” said Merlinda Mercado of Metrobank and financial education
speaker at POLO.
The move
to get Dela Torre to remain in Hong Kong got off the ground about a week
earlier, after he was issued marching orders, along with the news that he would
be sent back to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he served as a deputy labor attaché
in the early 2000s.
That
news was not received well by Filcom leaders, as a Middle East post is rarely
given to a senior labor envoy like Dela Torre, who apart from being a lawyer and
administrator of note, is also well-regarded by the Filipino community in
countries where he served.
The
leaders also want Dela Torre to stay so he can continue his various training workshops and
personalized service to Filipino migrant workers.
Despite
their misgivings, about 100 of the leaders gathered at a farewell tribute
hosted in Dela Torre’s honor on Mar 25, at the invitation of Hong Kong former
legislator Emily Lau and some of her fellow human rights advocates.
On Mar
27, the group submitted a copy of the petition along with some 5,000
signatures, to Consul General Antonio A. Morales, who assured them that he
would favorably endorse the request to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro
Locsin.
An
online petition urging Dela Torre’s extension of office was also started, and
to this date, has been signed by more than 1,000 individuals, many of whom also
left touching messages explaining their support for him.
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