Mentally or physically abused—who cares?
That was the attitude shown by then-representative Ray Yumul during the 14th Legislature to guest workers.
Our own kababayan, Ray Yumul, authored House Bill 14-142, which he called the “Alien Workers Act of 2004.” A lot of us remember the uproar this caused within the Filipino community, which led to boycotts of Jollibee. It was so bad the Philippine government issued a statement condemning the legislation.
While there were many things wrong with the legislation, perhaps the most outrageous language included was the following:
4602. No transfers. No alien worker shall transfer from one employer to another employer at any time.
Why was this bad? Well there have been quite a number of cases of abuse, both physical and mental, against our brothers and sisters in the CW community. If this legislation had passed, those abused wouldn’t be allowed to leave the abusive situation and secure employment elsewhere.
Mr. Yumul, is our life or mental wellbeing not as important as yours? Mr. Yumul, do we not bleed the same color of blood as you?
There is no place in our society for those that abuse others and certainly no place in our society for those that would protect abusers.
On Nov. 21, a strong message from the Filipino community will be sent to Mr. Yumul that his type of politics is not welcome in the CNMI.
Please join me in making sure that the Inos/Torres ticket will win because they would stand up for all law-abiding citizens, not those that are abusive. Vote Inos/Torres!
Irene Tantiado
Garapan, Saipan
To all the Contract Workers in the CNMI, please keep in mind that most of the supporters in the Inos/Torres camp are the ones that were abusing you. Be careful what you’re asking for because I have no idea who you were talking to regarding this issue, and that you have been politricked. If you just look deep into their supporters and you will see for yourselves. Again, think about it because they are the so called NMDs that are trying to get rid of you. Thank you.
Buenas GOPbullsh1T,
We are Northern Mariana Descent and we don’t think the same way as you describe us above. We are not advocating for anyone, but we would voice our opinions when an individual had shown that he/she is or was out for himself/herself. Your so call candidates meet such criteria. When it comes to the homestead program in the CNMI, your first candidate’s family had benefited from such program. And your other candidate thinks he is better than us commoners.
Whenever we write comments on this blog, it is coming from commoners whom we represents in the CNMI & U.S and we are airing out their concerns. Remember the fiasco when your candidate was heard saying that the Carolinians were at his political gathering just to drink beers. We were told to address such issue by families of Carolinian descent who have no political affiliation in the CNMI and we are just fulfilling our promise to them.
Si Yu’us Ma’ase