PPP – Overseas Filipinos Worldwide Political Party

PPP – Overseas Filipinos Worldwide Political Party

The conscience of the people, in this time of grave national problems, has called into being a new party – the Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino, born of the Filipinos’ sense of nationalism, social and economic justice, quest for progress and demand for effective governance in the Motherland. We of the Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino dedicate ourselves to the fulfillment of the dreams and aspirations espoused by our heroes and forefathers to stand with the Filipino pride, and in today’s reality – wherever we are.

We declare that the Filipinos are the masters of their Constitution, to achieve its objectives and goals and to guard it against those who, by corruption of its intent, would transform it into an instrument of greed and injustice. In conformity with the requirements of each generation, the Filipinos must use their sovereign powers to prevent these evils and consciously strive for the betterment of the lives of its people. This country belongs to the people who inhabit it and the millions who are in diaspora. Its resources, its business, its institutions and its laws should be utilized, maintained or altered in whatever manner that will best promote the general interest of the people. It is time to set the public welfare in the first place – Putting the Filipino First.

Unhampered by tradition, uncorrupted by power, undismayed by the magnitude of the task, PPP offers itself as the instrument of the people to sweep away old abuses, to build a new and nobler republic Ten million Filipinos in diaspora with more than 20 million dependents in the homeland – yet only two representatives in Congress is provided by law. This is a blatant trampling of representation – the essence of democracy.

“The People of the Philippines Full of Sacrifices in the Homeland and Overseas, to Build a Family and to Forge the Nation’s Democratic Destiny”.

1.What is Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino (PPP)?

PPP is a political organization. Most of our members are Overseas Filipinos. Together with our families and friends back home, we united ourselves to lead the creation of a national political party that is founded on the principles and values that guided our forefathers in their quest for a truly independent and democratic Philippines.

Our Party believes that our Nation’s wellbeing, progress and stability depend on the efficiency and integrity of our political institutions. We acknowledge that a political organization that endeavors to uplift the quality of our life must be worth the trust of our people; that an organization which professes that our Constitution reflects the Sovereign Will of our people must uphold it at all times; that an organization that aims to uplift our Nation must embody our country’s heritage and traditions.

Upon those principles, the Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino, will endeavor to be the prime mover of ethical governance and corrupt-free government; and to be the Party of choice by all those who believe in the principles of liberty, equality, and the ideals of our forefathers and national heroes.

We pledge ourselves to serve the Filipino people with the highest degree of dignity, excellence, and equality, and abide strictly to the tenets of accountability, transparency, integrity, and credibility by seeking Divine Guidance in our manners and ethics.

We believe that Overseas Filipinos Worldwide when united under one political party can contribute a lot to introduce and make happen the much needed economic and political reforms in our government. We believe that the time has come that we Overseas Filipinos get involved in shaping the future of our country, and not just be contented being called “Modern Day Heroes” in exchange of the dollar remittances we send home has help keep our economy afloat.

PPP offers itself as the instrument of the people to build a new and nobler Philippine republic. Overseas Filipinos today are estimated eight to ten million in diaspora with more than 20 million dependents in the homeland.

2. What is the platform of your political group?

The task of government, whether local or national, is first and foremost to create the conditions in which communities and their citizens are enabled to achieve their own successes and to live their lives in the way in which they choose. We can only achieve such empowerment and opportunities of communities thru the proposed establishment of the Federal Regional Government, a platform of government that PPP will introduce and advocate. We believed that it is only thru the federalization of various regions in our country that long-lasting peace and prosperity will prevail among our people of many customs, traditions and beliefs.

In particular, the national government should guarantee the rights of citizenship to every individual, and encourage them to recognize their responsibilities in their own federal regions, in three fields: Economic, Social and Political.

3. what are the purposes and goals of your political group?

Overseas Filipinos/Land Based/ Seafarers, will not stand by idly to witness the further deterioration of the social conditions of the majority in our society. It is our duty to present to our people a genuine democratic government and a non-traditional political leadership that they deserve. This is our foremost commitment to our people – the OFWs that we bring forth a government committed to freedom and democracy and to the improvement of the quality of life of all Filipinos, especially the unsung heroes of today, the poor and disadvantaged.

The PPP humbly offers the Filipino people and overseas Filipinos worldwide an alternative to traditional politics and to misguided populism. We make a commitment to always maintaining allegiance to the principles of individual freedom and human rights, pluralism and participatory democracy, equality of opportunity and social justice for worker, rule of law and good governance, international OFW solidarity and nationalism in all our aspirations and political actions.

We present to the Filipino electorate a vision of a modern Philippine Society which draws inspiration from the ideals of our revolutionary forefathers who fought for democracy and self-determination based upon liberal values, yet prepared to face the many challenges facing our country as we cross the threshold of the new millennium. We ask the overseas Filipinos and Filipino workers throughout the world and our people and dependents back home to join us in the steadfast struggle for reforms based on these principles.

The freedom of every individual is at the core of our beliefs. OFs and OFWs aims to build a society in which individual men and women are entitled to pursue their objectives, ambitions, become ambassadors of the hosts countries, develop their talents and fulfill their potentials free from arbitrary interference, and are able to exercise real power over the institutions that govern their lives. The necessary condition for the creation of an environment in which individuals can genuinely prosper and to maximize their potential is by enabling them to take and use political power.

We believe that the power of the individual is best expressed and secured within each community. Communities help people not just to realize their rights, but to recognize their responsibilities to others and to broaden the common good. This is the necessary social framework without which individuals cannot truly flourish. The empowerment of individuals therefore also requires empowering the communities to which they belong.

We as OFs and OFWs, are committed to these communities of migrant workers develop their skills and aspirations in life, improve their well being and be respected elsewhere around the world.

The redistribution of power therefore involves an enlargement of OFWs opportunity, within a political and economic system that enables everyone to attain a high quality of life. This does not only mean increased material well being – as opportunities for a better life will be achieved through quality education, improved social services and a healthy environment. Empowerment and opportunity are the PPP goals which should be applicable to all members of society, not just the privileged few. Providing real opportunities for the `underclass’, for example, is a major step in the crusade against poverty and deprivation which continues to be one of the key challenges facing the Philippines.

4. What is the importance of your group with regards to the ff. issues:

a. Voting

Electoral reform is one of the key factors to fight and eradicate corruption. PPP believes that a nation blinded by the clout of a corrupt-system will have no where to go but within the cycle of corrupting its own government no matter who the leader will be. Every opportunity leading to corruption must be rectified such as bureaucracy, juicy development funds, non-transparency in disbursement of funds, partial and delayed justice system, media mileage, electoral support for candidates and the traditional gratitude to supporters.

We know that our country is no stranger to political turmoil; corruption in politics is so widespread that often the person elected to office is not the most qualified. The root of all-evil in dirty politics is – Vote Buying which is rampant during elections. PPP will educate voters “how sacred our votes are”.

Not surprisingly, the country is governed by the same individuals, whose primary role is to buy votes. It is almost impossible for a qualified person/leader to enter politics under this particular scenario. But PPP believed that the spirit of change can only be achieved if the people participate in an honest to goodness election.

We should educate ourselves/others and must take serious actions against the ineffective democracy and vote-buying that is taking place in our politics. PPP aim to control vote-buying.

b. representative to the government

This party will open up more slots and positions to willing, capable and qualified PPP members who want to serve the sector. It will create a tremendous clout in any administration which could result in better consultation and cooperation to lead to the improvement of the sector and to good governance.

5. What would be the effects in establishing this group

- In the social field, government have a key role to play in ensuring a high quality of life for every citizen in their own regions according to their customs, traditions and beliefs. This involves ensuring that outcomes of the market that contradict the social goals we have set are countered or supplemented. We identify two purposes to social welfare: to give dignity, and to offer opportunity, to those who would otherwise lack them. Everyone, therefore, should be entitled to a basic `entry ticket’ to society, not just a bare minimum of goods and services. Not everyone is equally able to complete in the market place, and many will need assistance with income support or in overcoming barriers to development not to their own making.

- The National Government must ensure those public goods which the market will not by itself provide comprehensively or sufficiently, such as transport, infrastructure, defense, education and training, health care and environmental protection must be delivered and equally distributed to the respective federal regions. In guaranteeing entitlements to these public services, the National Government must always aim to maximize choice and opportunity for federal regions, rather than treat them as the passive recipients of services with no views and no potential of their own.

- In economics, PPP believes that economic growth and development will be anchored on a policy of genuine agrarian reform and true industrialization of the regions in the entire country. Our goal will be to ensure that the Philippine economy produced from all over the country will be competitive in the world market able to weather the storms attendant to the processes of globalization.

- The National Government should impartially allocate and encourage foreign and domestic investments among the regions that should translate to the local employment, food on every family’s table, decent housing and medical care, and quality education for all. The delivery of basic social services will always take precedence as the welfare of the entire nation shall never be sacrifices to gods of the global market.

A new political party is born

A new political party is born

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2 May 2008 – The Overseas Filipino Workers community leaders from various Filipino organizations in Riyadh gathered at Al Mutlaq Hotel in the observance of International Worker’s Day, also known us Labor Day.

In many countries, May 1 is commemorated as economic and social achievements of workers. Being part of the labor force outside the Philippine soil, OFW community leaders celebrate the occasion.

Overseas Filipinos dubbed by the Philippine Government as “Bagong Bayani” or “New Hero” and “Unsung Heroes” because of its remittances uplifting economic downturn in the country. But most OFWs complain that nothing much has been done for the so called “New Heroes.”

Working away from home, the progress they seek is too elusive, comfort they long, yet comfort is a myth.

Many OFWs says “they leave the country honored, they come home betrayed.” An easy prey for illegal recruiters; the sad story and the untold stories of maltreatment and abuse in their country’s destination.

OFWs or Overseas Filipinos probably the biggest sector outside Philippine society yet neglected and unrepresented in Government policy making bodies, even in the Philippine Hall of Congress.

Thus in the same day in commemoration of the Labor Day, an OFW led Political Party is born. They named it “Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino” the worldwide OFW-led national political party for the Overseas Filipinos, Overseas Filipino Workers and the Filipino People.

PPP offers itself as the instrument of the people to sweep away abuses, injustice, graft and corruption, to build a new and nobler Philippine republic. Overseas Filipinos today are estimated eight to ten million in diaspora with more than 20 million dependents in the homeland.

A year ago, an e-group was created as a discussion forum for the purpose of uniting Filipino community leaders and OFW advocates worldwide. After tedious and usual negative setbacks normal to any organizations in its formative stage, the long time dream come true. Exhausting all possible efforts to unite Filipinos worldwide was a great success.

OFWs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the leading proponent of the party’s birth decided to draft the “Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino” Constitution and By-laws. Crafted by brilliant minds in the party chapter Committee on Rules and Resolutions headed by Joey Badong together with long time OFW advocates like Francis Oca, Alex Veloso Bello and the Party President Dr. Lito Astillero presented to the chapter members the party’s draft Consitution and By-Laws. After long intense deliberations the said charter and by-laws was approved. The party members agreed that the “working draft” will be presented in the coming Global Filipino Leaders meeting next week in Manila. If ratified by the founding members, it will be soon registered to COMELEC as the new national political party in the country, the first ever in the history of Philippine politics.

Ramon Ignacio, who support the idea in the formation of an OFW led political party in his proposed party platform outline said “The conscience of the people, in this time of grave national problems, has called into being a new party – the Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino, born of the Filipinos’ sense of nationalism, social and economic justice, quest for progress and demand for effective governance in the Motherland. We of the Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino dedicate ourselves to the fulfillment of the dreams and aspirations espoused by our heroes and forefathers to stand with the Filipino pride, and in today’s reality – wherever we are.”

“The PPP will be like a national political party, much like the Liberal Party and the Nacionalista Party where only one part of it will be devoted to elections. The rest will have other concerns like getting OF representation in related government agencies like the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration” said Francisco “Jun” Aguilar one of PPP prime movers.

Jun Aguilar now based at home is a former technical analyst in Saudi Arabia for 13 years and presently a successful “OFW entrepreneur”. He is actively running businesses in the country along with other Filipino expatriates who belong to the Filipino Migrant Workers Group or the FMW Group.

Aguilar added that “this party will open up more slots and positions to willing, capable and qualified PPP members who want to serve the sector. It will create a tremendous clout in any administration which could result in better consultation and cooperation to lead to the improvement of the sector and to good governance.” He further added that “the Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino or PPP will be a party for overseas Filipinos regardless of his or her status in his or her respective host country as well as those who have come home and the families of overseas Filipinos.”

In Jun Aguilar’s concept paper, it is stated that “the basic reason why PPP is born is that overseas Filipinos, despite their large number has never maximized its potential to address its numerous concerns. It has failed to garner a seat in Congress despite several tries by OFW Party Lists. Moreover, the sector has never been consulted on any State policies, regulations and major appointments that would greatly affect its concerns.”

Bong Amora, one of the movers clarified that “the PPP Constitution and By-Laws could not be perfected at this time but if ratified and approve by the Global Leaders in Manila, a General Membership Assembly will be called maybe this year or next year for amendments and election of the party’s National Executive Council.”

He added that “PPP’s participation this coming 2010 election once recognized by COMELEC, will start by forming its political machineries at Barangay or grassroots level and probably support a certain candidate identified as an OFW advocate or to those who are concerns in the plight of the Overseas Filipino Workers.”

Roger Bantiles, one of the founding members based in the National Capital Region also said “the Philippines has more than 42,000 barangays, I doubt if we can claim influence over even 1% of total, or 420 and yet, this is where the votes are first counted and protected. And the barangay people are the ones who will go all the way to the municipal and provincial Comelec offices to protect the votes. PPP, which is global or pandaigdigan, will have to go “barriotic” or “baranganic”, literally “thinking global, but acting local.”

The PPP Constitution and By-Laws dubbed as “The Working Draft” approved by the PPP-Riyadh Chapter during its intense deliberation, OFW Congress Riyadh President and Board Chairman of PPP Riyadh Board of Trustees, in the person of Mr. Alex Veleso Bello will present the “draft” to the PPP Global Leaders in Manila this coming May 8 to 11, 2008. The PPP Global leaders are among the participants coming from all over the world to attend the “Global Filipino Nation International Conference” at the University of Makati.

In the said GFN conference PPP Riyadh will also present in the Political Module the proposed OFW empowerment which is the creation of an OFW led political party as a means for a change in the shattered image of Philippine politics. Mr. Alex Veloso Bello stresses a point during the meeting that it is about time that Overseas Filipinos and dependents at home are represented and be actively involved in Philippine governance.

The goal of the GFN conference would bring all overseas Filipinos who share a common goal of effective governance in the Homeland, anchored on grassroots economic empowerment and resolution of issues facing migrant workers and their families, and with raised consciousness of a nation ready to march as one. The event is an assembly of overseas Filipinos leaders, members of their families, their friends onshore who share the same governance vision, collaborative global business partners and investors, grassroots entrepreneurs, new nationwide potential political leaders.

A job fair will also be held simultaneously at the University of Makati campus.

Article 3, Section 6 of PPPs Charter is as follows:

SECTION 6 – Advocate and/or legislate such programs for the welfare of Overseas Filipinos, like:

6.1. Advocate for the safety and well being of the OFs.
6.2. Promote civic, social and economic programs designed for the upliftment of OFs.
6.3. Advocate for the implementation of a social security systems designed to meet the needs and requirements of OFs.

6.4. Advocate for the national Policy and program for crisis intervention on the plight of OFs in distress in various parts of the world.

6.5. Advocate for the national policy and program for the re-integration of OFs into the mainstream of Philippine economy and society;

6.6. Legislate laws to safeguard OFWs from illegal and exploitative recruitment practices, and enact a law that will provide stiff punishment;

6.7. Legislate laws that will provide stiff punishment to proven corrupt officials in the POEA, OWWA, DOLE and other government agencies mandated to take care of the plight of the OFWs.

6.8. Advocate for upholding the Human Rights of OFs all over the world, and urge the Philippine Government to exert more efforts through diplomatic channels to provide relief to OFs who have fallen victim to human rights abuses.