Mary Jane Veloso, together with her family and supporters, attends a thanksgiving Mass at the Siena College Chapel in Quezon City on Saturday, September 26, 2026, following her release from detention after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. granted her an absolute pardon. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Some House lawmakers spoke out during the plenary session on Monday against illegal recruitment, human trafficking, and other challenges faced by overseas Filipino workers (OFW), highlighting the need to ensure their protection following the granting of absolute pardon to Mary Jane Veloso.
Gabriela party-list Representative Sarah Elago urged the lower chamber to investigate implementation of laws surrounding cases of abuse against migrant workers.
"Nawa'y hindi lamang magsilbing kuwento ang dinanas ni Mary Jane at kung paano nagkaisa ang sambayanang Pilipino para siya'y makauwi at makalaya. Sana'y magsilbi rin itong inspirasyon na tutulak sa atin para tiyakin na pangangalangaan ang karapatan ng ating mga kababayang migrant workers kung saan marami pa rin ay biktima ng hindi makatarungang sahod, ng pahirap na kalagayan sa paggawa, ng human trafficking, sekswal na pang-aabuso, at iba't iba pang porma ng pagsasamantala," Elago said.
"Hinihikayat natin ang kapulungan na ito na imbestigahan ang pagpapatupad ng mga batas kaugnay ng mga kaso ng abuso, trafficking, at exploitation sa mga migrant workers," she added.
READ: Mary Jane Veloso, DOJ warn OFWs vs committing crimes abroad
Elago also called for livable wages so Filipinos could stay in the country to work, as well as to repeal migrant workers' mandatory payments to PhilHealth.
"No to labor export policy. Trabaho sa Pilipinas, hindi sa labas. Ipaglaban ang nakabubuhay na sahod, seguridad sa trabaho, ligtas na paggawa, ipagtanggol ang karapatan ng mga manggagawa," Elago added.
Meanwhile, Nueva Ecija 3rd District Representative Julius Cesar Vergara mentioned strengthening mechanisms to protect OFWs against illegal recruitment.
"Bilang mga mambabatas, tungkulin nating tiyakin na ang ating mga kababayan ay may sapat na proteksiyon, impormasyon, oportunidad, at suporta bago man sila umalis ng bansa at habang sila'y nagtatrabaho sa iba't ibang bayan. Hindi natin maiiwasan ang lahat ng panganib, ngunit maaari nating palakasin ang mga mekanismo upang mas maprotektahan ang ating mga OFW laban sa panlilinlang, illegal recruitment, trafficking, at pagsasamantala," Vergara said.
BILLS, RESOLUTIONS APPROVED
During the plenary session, the lower chamber also approved House Resolution 1501 requesting the Senate's consent to extend the plenary session of the House to October 12 to consider the General Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2027 on third and final reading.
A motion to transmit the resolution to the upper chamber was also approved.
The House of Representatives likewise approved on second reading House Bill 11561 on establishing a national disaster risk finance and insurance framework.
Also approved on second reading were some bills on franchise renewal, including House Bill 11536 renewing for another 50 years the franchise of Cebu Air Inc., doing business under the name of Cebu Pacific.
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