ADDIAM

New overseas Filipinos political party born

Jun Aguilar and other overseas Filipinos during the formation of the new overseas Filipino political party at the University of MakatiA national political party of overseas Filipinos has been created to champion the interest of Filipinos living or working abroad. Francisco “Jun” Aguilar said the Partido ng Pandaigdigang Pilipino or PPP will be 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 OFW representation in related government agencies like the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration" Aguilar said, who is also one of PPPs prime movers. Aguilar said the party will open 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. We have never been consulted in any policy issue simply because there is no structured party that any ruling party has to consult with," said Aguilar. Aguilar, who also serves as the chair of the Filipino Migrant Workers Group and PPPs chairman, said they have come up with a constitution and by laws for the party. “We are setting up different chapters in different parts of the world. We have PPP in Canada, Saudi Arabia, Dammam and Riyadh,” he said. He added that they are now gearing to be accredited by the Commission on Elections. “We are trying to comply with all the requirements so that by the time we apply it will be difficult for them to refuse,” he said. PPP, he added, will serve as a party for overseas Filipinos regardless of status in their respective host country, as well as those who returned home and the families of overseas Filipinos. Despite the large number of overseas Filipinos, their number has never maximized its potential to address its numerous concerns. Aguilar worked as an analyst in Saudi Arabia for 13 years. He is now actively running businesses in the country along with other Filipino expatriates who belong to the FMW Group. The PPP global leaders are among the delegates coming from all over the world who are attending the on going "Global Filipino Nation International Conference" at the University of Makati. With reports from Ging Reyes