The issue of child support
Amanda came to Bantay OCW at Radyo Inquirer to complain that her husband, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), had another family and had stopped supporting his original family.
According to Amanda, her husband, Ernie, began a relationship with another OFW in Jordan. The woman had even sent a text message to Amanda saying that Ernie was feeling lonely and she took care of him to lessen his sadness. This was said as if Amanda should be thankful for the role the woman was playing in her husband’s life—a caregiver and joygiver.
While in Jordan from 2004-2011, Ernie totally cut off communication with Amanda and their children. One day, Amanda received news that someone saw her husband walking out of the Manila airport with two children in tow, an infant in his arms and another woman by his side.
It was several months before Ernie contacted his original family but only his oldest son got the chance to see him. The boy went to his new house and met his new family. Soon after that, his support for his first family came to a complete halt.
Recently, Amanda heard her husband had gone to Nigeria for another overseas contract.
Amanda is deeply hurt not only because her husband now has another family but also because of Ernie’s lack of responsibility for their children.
As a mother, the only thing she’s asking for is child support. Their oldest son will be attending college soon.
We persuaded Amanda to get an information sheet from Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and find out the real location of her husband, as well as some of the details of her husband’s contract for his work in Nigeria, if indeed he working there. Bantay OCW is still trying to get any other information about Amanda’s husband and we are also calling out to Ernie not to use migration as a way of escaping his duties and responsibilities to his family.
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Susan Andes, aka Susan K. is on board at Radyo Inquirer 990 dzIQ AM, Monday to Friday 11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon & 12:30-2:00 p.m. with audio/video live streaming: www.dziq.am Studio: 2/F MRP Bldg., Mola St., cor. Pasong Tirad St., Makati City. Helpline: 0927.649.9870; E-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]
