Pag-ibig membership rule for OFWs' still vague
Republic Act(RA) 9679 or better known as the Home Development Mutual Fund Law mandates a monthly contribution if P100 from members for such benefits as savings, short term loans and housing loans. It covers Filipino workers working abroad or here in the country currently under foreign employers. The said law derived negative reactions and outrage from OFWs, and other groups, particularly the Gabriela. The group criticized Pag-IBIG for lying. Pag-IBIG is denying their statement that they will not implement or force membership to OFWs. This was after the non-stop protests from OFWs that prompted Pag-IBIG to declare that they will not require membership.
Adhering to that announcement Pag-IBIG Fund Vice President for Public Relations and Information Services Group Margie Jorillo said that Pag-IBIG president and CEO Jaime Fabiaña, denied making the remark. He claims that the group misunderstood the declaration from Fabian. He clarified that Pag-IBIG membership will not be made a requirement for the processing of OFWs’ overseas employment certificate. According to Pag-IBIG, there is no penalty clause, they will have no right to come after those who will not abide. A look at the law, nevertheless, reveals that there is indeed a penalty clause, but only applies to employer who will refuse or fail to comply with the law. The penalties are jail term no more than six years, and a fine not less than but not more than twice the unremitted amount.
On latter part, Jorilla admitted that Fabiana may have given an impression to the OFWs that the collection will not be compulsory.
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