Consul general pleased with S.2739 passage

Philippine Consul General Wilfredo DLG. Maximo said he is pleased with the U.S. Senate’s passage of S.2739, but admitted that he does not know the full outcome once it goes back to the House.

“All I can say is that it’s a positive development. However, as we all know, the bill passed by the Senate will go back to the House. We don’t know what shape or form it will take after it comes out of the House; it is anybody’s guess,” Maximo said.

The U.S. Senate passed S.2739 yesterday. The omnibus bill is made up of about 50 different measures, one of which is about the federalization of the CNMI’s immigration system. Once signed into law by President Bush, the bill will extend U.S. immigration laws to the CNMI.

The consul general said he is “guardedly pleased with what has happened” and that “anything that will redound to the benefits of the Filipinos on island, we are very much behind that particular effort.”

According to human rights activist Wendy Doromal, this “will establish a federally administered guest worker program on the island and help to secure our borders.”

The outcome of vote was 91 yeas, 4 nays and 5 not voting. Those who voted nay were Tom Coburn (R-OK), Jim DeMint (R-SC), James Inhofe (R-OK), and David Vitter (R-LA). Those who did not vote were Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), Judd Gregg (R-NH), John McCain (R-AZ), and Barack Obama (D-IL).

Doromal said that, “This is a significant victory for every advocate, every federal official, and every person who has fought to end labor and human rights abuses in the CNMI.”

She added that it is a “momentous victory for the guest workers in the CNMI. It is a personal victory for me, and for my family.”

Human Dignity Movement president Jerry Custodio expressed himself glad with the Senate’s passing of the bill.

“We are very happy that the Senate decided to pass this bill as it will have a positive impact on the guest workers,” Custodio said.

He added that if enacted immediately, “it will bear the fruits of justice and fair treatment.”

According to Doromal, “Our work is not done. We still need to address the issue of federal permanent status for the long-term guest workers.”

She said she would be submitting to Washington, D.C. the petition from CNMI guest workers that requests green card status for legal CNMI long-term guest workers.

Custodio said the petition is still ongoing and that they aim to accumulate up to 5,000 signatures in two weeks.

The Human Dignity Movement will be celebrating with a Thanksgiving Mass tomorrow, April 13, 2008 to mark the U.S. Senate’s passing of S.2739.

The Thanksgiving Mass will be at the Kristo Rai Church at 8am.