Senator Richard J. Gordon met with Filipino Community leaders on 21 June 2018 (Thursday) from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) Hall, Philippine Embassy in Madrid. Forty (40) FilCom leaders and members, representing 22 Filipino community organizations, attended the meeting. Consul General Emmanuel Fernandez gave an introduction of the Senator during the meeting.
Senator Gordon, who was on official travel to Spain, expressed his great pleasure in meeting the Filipino community and informed the Group that the meeting was part of his commitment to monitor the conditions of overseas Filipino workers whenever he travels abroad. He lauded them for their contributions in keeping the Philippine economy afloat through their remittances. As part of his accountability to the Filipino public, Senator Gordon gave updates on his work in the Senate and his advocacy to help the Duterte Administration in fighting corruption, criminality, and promoting good governance as well as his humanitarian endeavors as Chairman of the Philippine Red Cross. He spoke about his Committees’ investigations of the Dengvaxia vaccine mess, corruption at the Bureau of Customs, land titling scam in General Santos City, along with his initiatives to upgrade the facilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to strengthen national security, support for the Bangsamoro Basic Law, free tuition in state universities and colleges for deserving students, intensified awareness-raising on Filipino historical and cultural heritage.
During the Open Forum, Senator Gordon offered advice and assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) concerning the problems they raised on GSIS pensions, opening of an SSS Office in Spain, housing loans in the Philippines, illegal occupancy of their private lands/properties, court procedures/bail, and the OFW Bank.
Citing his personal life’s journey and fully aware of the sacrifices of OFWs while abroad, he strongly encouraged them to follow W-S-I-P (Work, Save, Invest, and Prosper) for a better future for them and their families. He also exhorted them to be united and to be the best representatives of the Philippines abroad by acting, on a daily basis, with discipline and dignity, taking great pride in our country, its history, and its people.
The leaders and members of the Filipino community likewise conveyed their sincere appreciation to Senator Gordon for the opportunity to dialogue with him and more importantly, for his and his Office’s assurance to help and assist them on their concerns and by making him easily accessible by providing them with his mobile number.
Senator Gordon currently chairs three Senate Committees: 1) Blue Ribbon; 2) Government Corporation and Public Enterprises; and 3) Justice and Human Rights.
