Marcos meets Pinoy community in Indonesia

JAKARTA — Cheers from our kababayans greeted President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Sunday as he allotted his first day in Indonesia to the Filipino community in Jakarta.

The President, who arrived in the Indonesian capital past 12 noon on his first official overseas visit, met Filipinos who warmly welcomed him at the Fairmont Hotel. The mood was similar to when he was still campaigning in the presidential race.

“Basta kasama mga Pilipino, masaya talaga ‘no? Nakuha pati kanta ko eh. 'Yung unang kinanta na kanta, eh lumabas siguro sa social media ito, ito ‘yung kinanta ko nung birthday nung aking minamahal na asawa. At saka ‘yung mga kanta namin sa mga rally," Marcos said in his message.

(It's always fun with other Filipinos, isn't it? They even got my song. The first song, it probably came out on social media, was the song I sang during my beloved wife's birthday. And the campaign rally songs.)

"Taos-puso akong nagpapasalamat sa inyo dahil sa inyong pagmamahal sa ating bayan, sa inyong sakripisyo na inyong dinadaanan para sa inyong mga pamilya, para sa inyong minamahal na Pilipinas," Marcos added.

(I wholeheartedly thank you for your love of our country, for the sacrifices you are making for your families, for your beloved Philippines.)

"At kayo ngayon ay naging ambassador of goodwill na ng Pilipinas dito sa Indonesia. Kaya naman, kami’y magpapasalamat din at dito sa Indonesia, napakaganda ang pangalan ng Pilipino sa inyong mga kasama dito," Marcos said.

(You are the Philippines' ambassadors of goodwill in Indonesia. That's why the Philippines has such a good reputation here.)

The President said the Filipinos' good standing in Indonesian society has contributed to sustaining trade, tourism, people-to-people links between the two countries.

"Your success here makes us all back home, very, very, very proud. Every time we hear news of yet another success by our OFWs, we are always saying thank you for the glory you bring to our country, for the good name, that you burnish and polish of our country while you are abroad. Iba talaga ang galing ng Pinoy saan man sa mundo [Filipino excellence is something else, anywhere in the world]," said the President.

In his speech, Marcos did not mention the case of Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina who was on death row in Indonesia due to drug-related charges. Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles was uncertain if the issue will be brought before Indonesian officials.

"We cannot even guess as to why, but because it is of such a sensitive nature then we proceed with deliberation if we proceed at all. I am not saying that we'll be proceeding with anything. But the President is aware of the issue. Beyond that, we cannot discuss," Cruz-Angeles said at a separate presser.

For Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) chief Susan Ople, Marcos' meeting with the Filipino community is symbolic as it shows that he is prioritizing the welfare of OFWs.

"I think it’s symbolic na sa unang araw pa lang, gusto niya na ang una niyang maka-meet iyong ating OFWs [I think it's symbolic that on his first day he wanted to meet our OFWs]. So it tells a lot about his concern for our workers. And please remember, after the elections, hindi naman pa siya nakaikot para kumustahin sila [he was not able to go around to greet them]. So this is the first time," Ople said.

Ople said she would have a separate meeting with Filipino community leaders in Indonesia on Monday to hear their grievances and concerns.

There are some 7,448 Filipinos in Indonesia, according to the Department of Migrant Workers. Most Filipinos hold managerial and technical or professional level positions such as company directors, engineers, accountants, supervisors and teachers.

In 2021, remittances from overseas Filipinos in Indonesia reached US$ 17.5 million, the DFA said

The President has been vocal about his plans to ensure the welfare of the overseas Filipino workers, including the automation of their contracts, the One Repatriation Command Center, and the National Reintegration Program. — BM, GMA News