Villar presents 3 repatriated OFWs from Malaysia and 1 from Doha, Qatar

SENATOR Cynthia A. Villar on Saturday presented the three Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Malaysia who opted to return to the Philippines after suffering various forms of maltreatment from their employers.

Repatriated were Jobelle, 28, of Davao del Norte; Mary Grace, 28, of Paombong, Bulacan; and Marilou, 28, of Iloilo.

The Blas Ople Center, through the efforts of Susan Ople and Jerome Alcantara, earlier informed Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance), said the three Filipino migrant workers were ready for repatriation subject to availability of the plane ticket.

Due to this, the senator paid for their plane tickets so they can go back to the country and be reunited with their family.

Jobelle, a mother of two, escaped from her employer's house because she can no longer withstand the physical abuses inflicted on her by a child of her employers.

The child often bit her, threw things at her and hit her all over her body. She tried to talk to her employer who dismissed her complaints and told her to be more patient with the child.

At that time, she cannot come home because her mother was still sick. She needed the money to buy medicines. She later worked in a Taiwanese restaurant where she received a meager salary.

Despite working hard to provide for the medical treatment of her mother, the latter died last August 12, 2014. But she failed to go home since she has no money for her plane ticket. She complained of long hours of work and lack of food. Also, she was not allowed to go out of the house. Jobelle started working as domestic helper in Malaysia in November 28, 2013. Mary Grace absconded after she was sexually abused by her employer. Marilou was overworked and unjustly paid. On the otherhand, the Villar SIPAG provided livelihood assistance to Maira Angelica Tabudlong, 38, of 13 1327 Fruto Santos Ave. Zapote Las Piñas City. While working as receptionist, in a mall in Doha, Qatar, she also sells prepaid load cards to augment her income.

Last July 2014, Tabudlong was called by her supervisor to explain the shortages in her book like calling cards, expensive perfumes and other products, all amounting to 50,000 riyals.

Tabudlong informed to her employer that it was her Indonesian co-worker who incurred the debts and promised to pay for the items.

Not buying her story, Tabudlong's supervisor demanded that she pay 50,000 Riyals or else face jail time.

According to Tabudlong, she was cursed and threatened by her employers on several occasions. She sought the help of the Villar Sipag-OFW Program for her repatriation.