Can gov’t repatriate philandering husbands?

Jane went to Radyo Inquirer to complain about Rey, her husband who is working in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. She said Rey no longer sends money to his family and is having an affair with another woman. According to Jane, her husband’s mistress keeps calling her and telling her that she can no longer win back Rey.

For the couple to clarify things and discuss the matter, Radyo Inquirer placed an overseas call to the OFW husband. But when Jane called her husband “Love,” Rey shot back with stinging words: “Tigilan mo na ako. Hindi na kita mahal … Pinikot mo lang ako (Stop calling me. I don’t love you anymore … you just forced me to marry you)!”

Jane wept. She said her husband didn’t act like that the last time he was in the Philippines. She reminded him that they had transferred to a new house to separate from her parents. Rey even bought furniture and appliances for the house.

Rey countered that it was his mother-in-law that insisted he buy the house because of a commission she would make from the sale.

Ordinarily, such conflicts and exchanges of bitter words should be heard only within the four corners of a couple’s home. But there they were fighting on-the-air through a radio station that could be heard nationwide and streamed worldwide.

When we asked the wife what kind of assistance she wanted from Bantay OCW, she requested help to repatriate her husband.

Our answer: Our powers or even that of the government cannot do that. Having an extramarital affair is not a listed reason to repatriate an OFW.

Even the foreign employers of our OFWs don’t usually interfere with their family problems as long as they work well and follow the rules of their companies.

One thing is for sure, we really cannot force a person who doesn’t like his or her partner anymore to return to their marital abode.

However, Bantay OCW is ready to help Jane through legal assistance regarding the husband’s responsibility to provide child support.

Here’s another grumble from an OFW wife.

“My husband’s remittance is not enough,” cried Raquel from Bataan.

Her husband, who works in Saudi Arabia, regularly sends P30,000 every month. He sends P15,000 to his wife and the other P15,000 directly to their child who is studying in Manila.

When Bantay OCW asked the wife what she tells her husband when he sends money to them, she answered: “Kulang na naman ang padala mo. Dagdagan mo naman (Your remittance is not enough. Send more).”

I asked her if she thanks her husband for his remittances.

Our OFW wives should be reasonable too. Comparatively, P30,000 is already a substantial regular remittance. Some husbands, like the one in the story above, do not even send money. Commonly heard reasons are: they don’t have a job, or what they earn is not enough even for themselves.

If the amount is insufficient, surely something should be added. Maybe it can be added by the wife. If the situation permits, it is not right for only one able member of the family to work.

Advice of Bantay OCW to Raquel: Find work. Instead of grumbling, you should move, kabayan!

Susan Andes, aka Susan K is on board at Radyo Inquirer 990

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