ICC rejects Duterte’s bid to stop his prosecution

 

Duterte in his first appearance at the ICC in March last year

The International Criminal Court’s pre-trial chamber has denied former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bid to appeal the confirmation of crimes against humanity charges against him.

In a 12-page decision issued Thursday night from The Hague, the three pre-trial judges ruled that the two issues raised on Duterte’s behalf by his former lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman were not “appealable issues” that can be elevated to the ICC Appeals Chamber.

Kaufman had argued that the pre-trial chamber erred in law when it adopted a “flexible approach” in the formulation of the charges against Duterte.

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He also said the judges failed “to articulate a reasoned evidentiary basis for confirming the charges.”

The chamber said in its ruling that the first issue raised by the defense was based on a merging of two questions which the court had already said were clearly separate.

 “Despite the defense’s statement to the contrary, the First Proposed Issue is based on a conflation of two questions that are clearly distinct, as already clarified by the Chamber in the Confirmation Decision,” the court said.

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On the second issue, the court said it was a “ a mere disagreement with the manner in which the Chamber articulated its assessment of the evidence.”

The decision removes all avenues for Duterte to stop the trial of the three charges of crimes against humanity for murder and attempted murder that were confirmed by the chamber earlier.

A trial chamber has already been constituted to handle Duterte’s upcoming trial, and is scheduled to do its first status conference on May 27.

Senator dela Rosa appeared at the Senate on May 13 before fleeing early the next day

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation says it is leaving no stone unturned in tracking down Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa who is named co-conspirator in the ICC charges against Duterte, and who has gone into hiding again after attending a Senate session on May 13.

He went underground for six months earlier amid reports that the ICC had already issued a warrant of arrest against him.

Details here

NBI’s  statement came one day after the Department of Justice declared that the ICC arrest warrant issued against dela Rosa is already enforceable after the Supreme Court denied the senator’s request for a temporary restraining order.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said at a press briefing Thursday, “If we see him (dela Rosa), we’ll arrest him,” Matibag said at a press briefing. “We’re looking for him now.”

Basahin ang detalye!

Matibag said if NBI agents manage to capture the senator, he would be turned over to the DOJ, which will decide if he should be flown to the ICC in The Hague.

Last year, Duterte was flown straight to The Hague after being arrested on arrival at the Manila airport from Hong Kong, on the basis of an ICC arrest warrant.

Pinay jailed 27 months for theft, use of stolen credit cards

 

General area where theft was committed (Google Maps photo) 

An unemployed Filipina was sentenced to 27 months in jail today, after pleading guilty at District Court to theft of a mobile phone, a Rolex watch and a wallet, and six counts of fraud for using the credit cards she found in the wallet to go on a shopping spree, spending a total of $6,279.50 in one day.

Judge Ada Yim handed the sentence to Mylene Navarro, 48 years old, after the prosecution presented evidence against her, including a water bottle found inside the hotel room which bore her fingerprints, CCTV footages which showed her using the stolen credit cards to make purchases and her admission to police that she used the cards.

Navarro’s case began when she took a drunk Chinese man named Lau to Rainbow City Inn on Pitt St. in Yau Ma Tei in the early hours of  Nov. 23 last year and took his mobile phone, watch and wallet containing personal documents and cash of $2,000. Yau Ma Tei Police said the stolen items amounted to $96,095.50.

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The wallet contained, among other things, five credit cards that would enable her to commit the six fraud offenses.

The police complaint said Navarro first went to a Seven-11 store on Bowring Street and ran up a bill for $2,292.50 which she paid by using a credit card issued by the Standard Chartered bank to Lau.

She then used Lau’s credit card issued by Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. in buying $204 worth of products at a Seven-11 store on Jordan Road.

Basahin ang detalye!

Navarro then went to a Circle K store on Jordan Road and charged $1,204 worth of products to Lau’s Standard Chartered Bank Mastercard.

She again used the credit card in paying $138 for a meal at a McDonald’s restaurant on Yen Chow St. in Sham Shui Po.

Navarro used Lau’s HSBC Mastercard a fifth time when she bought $227 worth of items at another Seven-11 shop at the MTR Prince Edward station.

Finally she bought groceries at a Wellcome Store on Lai Chi Kok Road in Mong Kok, running up a bill for $2,214 which she charged to Lau’s American Express card.

Phl peso now down to 61.72 to USD

The peso has been dropping to historic lows since the latest Mideast row began at end of February

 The Philippine has again dropped to a new all-time low of 61.721 to the US dollar at the end of trading on Friday, May 15.

This came just a day after the peso plunged to a record low of 61.64 on Thursday.

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Malacanang said this showed that the greenback is strong, and not that the peso is weak.

The Palace also said that the global spike in oil prices amid continuing tensions in the Middle East was another big factor. Combined with the country’s dependence on imports, the local demand for dollars surged, further weakening the peso.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

Before the combined US and Israel attack on Iran at the end of February, the peso was gaining ground, strengthening to 57.665 on Feb 27, the last day of trading before the Middle East conflict.

Since then, it has dropped from one historic low to another.

Basahin ang detalye!

While the weaker peso has superficially boosted the spending capacity of OFWs, inflation has made it difficult for their families back in the Philippines to live on their former budget.

Recent data from the government showed inflation had hit 7.2 percent in April amid the continuing tension in the Middle East, and the consequent oil price increases.

Bato flees Senate amid ICC arrest warrant

Senator dela Rosa left the Senate without anyone trying to stop him  

Senator Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa left the Senate building early on Thursday following a mysterious commotion that involved the firing of guns. His departure was confirmed by both Malacanang and Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.

Senator dela Rosa’s abrupt departure came hours after the International Criminal Court confirmed it had issued a warrant for his arrest as early as November last year on charges of carrying out a bloody war on drugs along with former President Rodrigo Duterte who has been detained at The Hague for more than a year. 

According to Cayetano, dela Rosa left at about 2:30am along with  Sen. Robinhood Padilla “for everyone’s safety.”

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 “Long story short, the sergeant-at-arms confirmed that he’s no longer in the building. I’m waiting for the complete incident report, on what time he left,” Cayetano told reporters in a briefing.

He insisted dela Rosa was within his rights to leave although by doing so he gave up the “protective custody” of the Senate.

Earlier, Palace Press Secretary Claire Castro said dela Rosa had left the Senate premises before dawn Thursday.

She also said that Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca was the first to fire a warning shot at a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent, who was in the adjacent premises of the Government Service System. The NBI agent fired back in retaliation.

Basahin ang detalye!

The exchange of gunfire sent reporters and other people inside the Senate premises at the time, scurrying for cover.

The senator who had gone into hiding for six months after reports of the ICC warrant had come out, reappeared at the Senate on Monday, to cast a crucial vote that resulted in former Senate President Tito Sotto being cast out, and Cayetano taking over.

On his way in, he claimed he had wrestled with NBI agents who tried to arrest him on the strength of the ICC warrant.

The NBI denied the claim, saying they were not in the Senate premises at that time, but were in the adjacent GSIS building they were asked to protect.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said they were told to “stand down” after the Supreme Court ordered the government to respond to dela Rosa’s urgent application to stop the enforcement of the ICC warrant without a corresponding order from a local court.

“When the Senate declared that Senator Bato was under their protective custody, we chose to respect that decision because we respect the authority of the Senate as a co-equal branch of government,” Matibag said.

The NBI is requesting the Senate for a copy of the video showing how dela Rosa managed to leave their premises without anyone stopping him.

 

Marcos says government not behind shooting incident at Senate

 

Marcos says on video that the government was not involved in the melee at the Senate

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has issued a video statement saying the government was not behind the gunshots fired inside the Senate building Wednesday afternoon that prompted people inside to run for cover.

The chaos ensued after armed men reportedly tried to attempt to enter the Senate premises where Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has been holed up since Monday after the International Criminal Court confirmed an arrest warrant against him.

(A video footage taken by the Associated Press of the melee inside the Senate is posted here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGHgxh5bRwo).

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Marcos said there was no instruction for anyone to arrest Senator dela Rosa. After the Supreme Court deferred Dela Rosa’s urgent motion to stop his arrest, the president said he ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to leave the Senate building, where the senator is under “protective custody.”

“Ang NBI ay sinabihan ko nung lumabas yung resolution nu’ng Supreme Court mga 4 yun kaninang hapon; sinabi ko ‘umalis na kayo diyan’ at nag-comply naman sila. Kaya nung kausap ko si Director [Melvin] Matibag sabi niya walang NBI dito [Senate]. Nandito lahat kami sa opisina,” said the President.

(I told the NBI when the Supreme Court resolution came out, around 4 this afternoon; I told them to leave that area, and they complied. So when I spoke with Director Matibag, he said there was no NBI here [at the Senate]. We are all here in the office.)

Basahin ang detalye!

“Walang pumasok na tigalabas na sundalo, na militar, na NBI sa Senado. Hindi po natin alam kung sino yung sumubok na pumasok at saka dahil doon ay nagkaputukan,” he said.

(No soldiers, military personnel or NBI entered the Senate from the outside. We do not know the identity of those who tried to enter and as a result gunshots were fired).

He assured the public that the Senate and the Philippine National Police (PNP) would conduct a thorough investigation.

He explained that only two types of uniformed personnel are stationed inside the Senate: officers of the PNP and members of the Marines.

Both PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and NBI director Melvin Matibag have denied that their personnel were behind the gunshots.

Senator dela Rosa has been holed up at the Senate since Monday to evade arrest by the ICC

Following the incident, the PNP went on full alert status starting at 8:30pm on Wednesday. In a statement it said it has intensified security monitoring and police presence in the vicinity of the Senate.

The national police force said it had deployed about 1,500 personnel at the Senate and its vicinity as part of security measures.

Journalists who were at the scene said the gunshots were fired after men with rifles and protective gear went up the legislative building. They were spotted talking with Senate security staff earlier.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla later told the media that the first shots came from personnel of the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA).

He said that at about 7:46 p.m., Senate security staff fired guns to stop the armed men from going up to the second floor of the building.

As the investigation into the incident got underway, rumors started to swirl about it being a set-up to try to get Senator dela Rosa out of the building.

The senator went into hiding six months ago after reports indicated the ICC had issued a warrant of arrest against him, and only resurfaced Monday to stage a coup with allied senators that resulted in Senate President Tito Sotto being replaced by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

Senate coup: Cayetano takes over

 

Cayetano takes oath, witnessed by family members

Senators toppled Tito Sotto  on Monday, May 11, as Senate President and replaced him with Alan Peter Cayetano in a coup that finally succeeded after failing several times, as the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.

Cayetano sought to allay concerns that the Senate reorganization was aimed at aborting the impeachment trial, assuring that the Senate will convene as an impeachment court “forthwith”. He did not elaborate on when the actual trial will begin.

In a statement, Duterte’s legal team said it is “fully prepared” to face the Senate trial as “the burden now rests on the accusers to substantiate their claims in accordance with the Constitution, the law, and rules on evidence.”

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This came after one of the 13 who supported Cayetano, Sen. Ronald Bato de la Rosa, broke his six-month absence from the Senate just to vote, which almost did not happen when he was blocked by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation on his way to the session hall.

Dela Rosa scuffled with the NBI agents and ran upstairs, pursued by the agents who were trying to serve on him the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, as a co-perpetrator of former President Rodrigo Duterte in his trial for crimes against humanity. Also tagged as co-perpetrator Duterte’s extrajudicial killings was Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go.

Dela Rosa complained that he hurt a finger when he stumbled as he scrambled up the stairs. On his motion, the Senate voted to cite the nine agents in contempt but Cayetano released them later to NBI director Melvin Matibag, in return for NBI respecting the Senate’s protective custody over Dela Rosa.

Basahin ang detalye!

Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV was also on hand to serve the warrant as challenged to do so by Dela Rosa in the past, but but they did not cross paths.

The other senators who cast their votes for Cayetano were Imee Marcos, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Go, Rodante Marcoleta, Robin Padilla, Joel Villanueva, Pia Cayetano, Mark Villar, Camille Villar, Loren Legarda, and Sotto, who extended traditional parliamentary courtesy to his rival.

The nine who supported Sotto were Bam Aquino, Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Lito Lapid, Kiko Pangilinan, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, Ping Lacson and Cayetano, who similarly cast a courtesy vote.

Senators JV Ejercito and outgoing majority leader Juan Miguel Zubiri abstained.

The Senate reorganization has also resulted in Legarda taking over as president pro-tempore, replacing Lacson, who may also be replaced as chairman of the powerful Blue Ribbon Committee.

VP Sara impeached for second time

 

VP Sara declared in February her plan to run as president in 2028

Vice President Sara Duterte has become the first Philippine official to be impeached twice.

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved Monday, May 11, the justice committee report that found probable cause in three complaints filed against the Vice President.

Of the 316 House members, 257 signed the impeachment complaints on the grounds of alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and an assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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This was more than the one-third, or 106 House members, that the Constitution requires for the articles of impeachment to be transmitted to the Senate for trial.

Twenty-five opposed the impeachment, including three members of her family who are incumbent House members. Nine abstained.

The “yes” votes exceeded the 215 cast by House members who approved the impeachment complaint against her last year. However, the Senate under the leadership of Senator Chiz Escudero did not immediately convene to try that indictment and the Supreme Court eventually ruled the impeachment complaint unconstitutional for violating the “one-year bar" rule.

House members vote overwhelmingly to impeach VP Sara (File)

Before the vote, ML Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima  who endorsed the impeachment complaint said, “These are patterns of bad behavior. These are habits of abuse of power… Impeachment is not political persecution. It is not a partisan activity. It is a constitutional accountability mechanism.”

But Cavite Rep.Kiko Barzaga who voted no to impeachment, described VP Sara as the nation’s “hope” for ostensibly fighting corruption, including the massive irregularities in flood control projects.

Basahin ang detalye!

Apart from Barzaga those who voted no were Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, SAGIP Party List Representative Paolo Marcoleta and VP Sara’s kin in Congress, brother Paolo Duterte, nephew Omar Vincent Duterte and cousin Harold James Duterte.

The three Dutertes walked out of the plenary hall before the casting of votes, but later indicated to the House Secretary that they were voting no to the indictment.

Online contract verification to start Apr 30

 

Labatt Chavez explains the new online verification system as ALA Karen Arlan
and a representative of the systems provider Dataflow look on

Starting on April 30, all overseas Filipino workers who have signed up with the same employer (Balik Manggagawa) need no longer visit the Migrant Workers Office to have their employment contracts verified as they can get this done online.

This was announced by Labor Attache Cesar Chavez, Jr. during a consultation meeting with Filipino community leaders held at the OFW Global Centre on April 19.

Labatt Chavez said the Online Employment Contract Verification System (OECVS) will be rolled out a day before Labor Day, to underline the Department of Migrant Workers’ pledge to make life easier for OFWs.

He said this should ease the problem of overcrowding at the DMW, especially during peak seasons like Christmas and school graduation, when thousands of OFWs line up to secure the overseas employment certificate (OEC) which they need to be able to exit the Philippines and return to their work in Hong Kong.

Basahin ang detalye!

But he hastened to add that online verification, which incurs a HK$40 “convenience fee” on top of the HK$80 verification fee, is just an option, meaning those who prefer to personally submit their work contract at the MWO can still do so.

After all the required documents for verification are submitted and the applicable fees are paid, it will take three working days before the process is completed.

“Once (the verification application) is approved, the OEC is automatically generated after 24 hours through the DMW portal,” said Labatt Chavez.

Also in the pipeline according to him, is a new appointment and queuing system for those who wish to avail of services from the MWO. OFWs who walk into the office will be issued a ticket, which means they will no longer have to queue in front of the counters while waiting to be attended to.

Labatt said the OFWs may even take a coffee break right inside the MWO office on the 29^th floor of United Centre building, as it will have the same free coffee station as the one at the OFW Global Centre on the 18^th floor.

OFWs packed the room where the briefing was held

Addressing the long-standing clamor for the OEC to be scrapped, Labatt said he shares this sentiment, but right now, there is still no better way to guard OFWs against human trafficking and work exploitation once they leave the country.

He urged OFWs to familiarize themselves with obtaining the OEC online, and not rely on others to do it for them as they will be sharing personal data that could be used by unscrupulous people to get them into trouble.

“Ginagawan na natin ng paraan na i-simplify ang proseso, dahan-dahan nating i-improve,” he said. (We are already trying to simplify the process, we will slowly find ways to improve it).

He added that the MWO is always willing to help and hear them out if they have suggestions on how the issuance of the OEC could be improved.

Asked why immigration officers in the Philippines are not recognizing the OFW Pass in place of the OEC, Labatt said that to be safe, OFWs returning to their workplace should secure both documents.

“Ang OEC pa rin ang hinahanap, pero pwede naman pareho,” he said. (It is still the OEC that they want to see, but there’s no harm in having both documents).

Assistant Labor Attache Karen Arlan said the DMW is in the process of talking with airlines in the Philippines as reports indicate the airline staff at the check-in counters are the ones who refuse to recognize the OFW Pass in place of the OEC.

For a complete list of the documents needed for contract verification, please click this link to get to the OECVS portal: mwohk-ph.com/verification-of-employment-contracts/

Or check the Facebook page of MWO Hong Kong

To start your verification application, log on directly to dmw.dataflowgroup.com

If you encounter any problem using the system, you may contact the MWO directly through their website or by phone, 2886 0640 

 

 

Pinoys in HK offer prayers for 19 killed by military in Negros

 

Attendees take turns laying flowers on makeshift altar for the service

Filipinos in Hong Kong offered prayers at Chater Road in Central today for the 19 people who were killed in a military operation last April 20 in Taboso, Negros Occidental.

Fr. Dwight de la Torre of the Philippine Independent Church, who led the service, said: "Before the other massacres could fully be resolved and justice meted out, another massacre has occurred."

He added: “Let us now remember the recent victims of state violence in our country. To forget is to prolong the regression of our people. But to remember is to hasten the process of redemption because every remembrance should be a challenge to action.” 

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

The crowd of about 100 lighted candles and offered white flowers at the table that served as altar for the service.

Other speakers, who denounced the massacre and continuing human rights violations in the Philippines, included Paster Joram Calimutan of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines, and Baneng Mendez of BAYAN Hong Kong and Macau.

The 19 fatalities were killed in a counter-insurgency strafing operation by the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army. A total of 663 Taboso residents were displaced.

Basahin ang detalye!

Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco said residents were shocked when the sporadic battles began at 4 am, spread over four barangays and ended at nearly 3 pm on April 20.

The Army claimed that a wanted rebel leader -- Roger Fabillar, who had a P1-million bounty and was also known as “Kumander Arnel Tapang.” -- and at least 18 alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed by troops of the 79th Infantry Battalion in a series of encounters.

UP students protest the killing of campus activist Alyssa Alano and 18 others in Taboso

It turned out later that among these were University of the Philippines Student Council Councilor Alyssa Alano and community journalist RJ Ledesma of Paghimutad, an alternative media outlet and member of the Altermidya network, who were in the area for community immersion and research into the situation of peasants.

Organizations Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and Tanggol Magsasaka likewise identified two other fatalities as advocates Maureen Keil Santuyo and Errol Wendel.

In Manila, several groups picketing Camp Aguinaldo called for an independent investigation into the Taboso operation. “We want to know the truth, what really happened that day. We want a truly independent investigation into what happened because we do not believe those 19 individuals were just killed like chickens,” said Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general.

3 latest beneficiaries of OFW Negosyo Fund get loans

 

Loan beneficiaries pose for photo with Department of Trade and Industry Secretary
Christina Roque, Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) President Robert Bastillo,
and Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac

Three OFWs became the latest to receive loans under the OFW Negosyo Fund program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Given during the “Bagong Pilipinas Bayanihan para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa” National Reintegration Network (NRN) and Job Fair held at the QC M.I.C.E. Center at Quezon City Hall on April 6, the beneficiaries were Jonahlou Bilaro who received P100,000.00 for her Events Management Service, Marie Anduyon who was given P200,000.00 for a Water Refilling Station, and Dan Zeus Almarines who received P580,000.00 for the expansion of his pharmacy business.

DTI Secretary Christina Roque, Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) President Robert Bastillo, and Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac led the distribution of the investments.

The OFW Negosyo Fund was launched on March 11, 2026, with a total funding of Php2 billion from SB Corp., to help OFWs who were forced to return home due to unforeseen circumstances to start or grow their own businesses.

Basahin ang detalye!

According to Secretary Roque, the program has a very low interest rate, no collateral required and a one-year grace period during which the principal or interest of the loan will not be charged, to give sufficient time for the business to grow.

Under the program, OFWs can borrow from ₱30,000 to ₱20 million,  with no collateral required for loans up to ₱5 million.

The loan can be repaid over a period of up to five years.

Eligible to borrow are returning or repatriated OFWs, including those displaced by global conflicts (such as the Middle East) and their immediate family members (who may apply on behalf of an OFW who is still overseas.

Loan applications can be submitted online through the SBCorp Money App (download from here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ph.sbcorp.app.twa&hl=en&pli=1) or the web-based SBCorp Loan Portal (https://sbcorp.gov.ph/), or in-person at any of the 1,431 DTI Negosyo Centers nationwide, which provide for hands-on assistance and mentoring.

DFA announces delay in passport release

 

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila says passport applications filed from the last week of March may not be released on time as before due to “logistical and supply chain issues” linked to the Middle East conflict.

A statement released by DFA today, Wednesday, said it may take between 10 to 15 working days for new passports to be released until further notice. 

This means that the wait may be longer if the passport application was made overseas. Currently there is already a waiting time of from six to eight weeks for passports where the application was made abroad.

Overseas posts are advising applicants to give an allowance of at least eight months before their passport expiration as travelers are normally required to have passports that have at least six months' validity before they are allowed to go abroad.

DFA says it is working with its printing provider to get operations back to normal.

In the meantime, Filipinos who are abroad are advised to coordinate with the consular or foreign service post nearest to them for additional information.

Basahin ang detalye!

The announcement comes in the wake of numerous complaints aired over social media about unexplained delays in the release of their passports.

40K Middle East-bound OFWs stranded in Manila

 

These newly repatriated OFWs from Qatar add to the rising number of jobless Filipinos

More than 40,000 overseas Filipino workers are reportedly stranded in Manila amid the worsening conflict in the Middle East, which has resulted in a deployment ban being imposed on most countries in the region.

This is apart from the more than 4,000 OFWs who have been repatriated from Middle East countries since war broke out between Iran and United States-Israeli forces.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the government is ready to assist all those who have lost their jobs, adding that there are 200,000 job orders in various countries now being offered to the displaced workers.

Basahin ang detalye!

Cacdac also said the stranded workers may also avail of the livelihood assistance and training being offered by the Department of Migrant Workers to repatriated Filipinos.

He added the group were given financial assistance before leaving their workplace and on arrival in the Philippines.

Apart from Iran and Israeli, the countries where OFW deployment has been suspended include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, along with Gaza, Syria, and Yemen. A total deployment ban is in force in Iraq and Lebanon.

The stranded workers are mostly staying at accommodation center of their recruitment agencies, while others have gone back to their provinces. There are also those who were on vacation or were about to return to their workplaces when the war broke out.

With no end in sight to the conflict, experts say the deployment to the Middle East could seriously decline in the second and third quarters of the year.

Latest reintegration fair also targets stranded OFWs 

But as the crisis cuts deeper into the country, about half of those who recently returned are said to be planning to return abroad once the situation in the region stabilizes.

 “Many of our returning OFWs, just about 50 percent, still plan to go back (to work abroad)… Why? Because they have valid employment visas. There is no problem with that. It only means they were able to properly ask permission from their employers to go home,” Cacdac said on the sidelines of a reitegration fair.

Those who do not wish to return to the Middle East will be helped in going to another country abroad if they so wish, while those who want to try their luck in the Philippines will be enrolled in a suitable reintegration program.

Meanwhile, 88 Filipinos from Qatar were brought home on two separate flights over the weekend. They took the number of repatriated OFWs from across the Middle East to 4,241.