Overseas marital status: It’s complicated

Bantay OCW once assisted Edith of Caloocan City when her husband encountered employment problems in Saudi Arabia and was repatriated to the Philippines. But after several months home, her husband took off again for overseas work, this time in Brunei.

Shortly after, Edith visited her husband’s Facebook page and was shocked to discover that her husband had posted his relationship status as: “Got married to… (name witheld).” Edith’s picture and those of her children had been removed.

He had only been staying in Brunei for four months and apparently he was already living with another woman, she thought. In a rage, Edith sent him a message warning him that she would again contact Bantay OCW again to report this matter.

When she opened his FB account again, the OFW husband had changed his status to: “Complicated.”

Edith is demanding regular financial support from her husband. She told Bantay OCW she had no job, no means to support her children. She is also caring for a granddaughter.

Bantay OCW will try to communicate again with the OFW in Brunei.

Quite a number of complaints from left-behind spouses concern marital infidelities. Here’s another one about an OFW husband who allegedly got another woman pregnant.

From Singapore, Rosalinda sent an e-mail to Bantay OCW saying she got married only last year and was looking forward to returning to the Philippines for good and starting a family. But she recently got news that her husband had gotten another woman pregnant. She is confused and sought advice: Should she still return? What will happen to her marriage?

For whatever its worth, Bantay OCW suggested Rosalinda ask herself if she had it in her to forget and forgive her husband for his mistakes if he asked for it. If she could, then maybe they could start again. His affair would then become but a part of their marital tests and experiences. However, every action may have its own unique consequences. Expect suffering for every sin committed.

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Susan Andes a.k.a Susan K., heads the Batay OCW Foundation and  can be heard on Radyo Inquirer dzIQ 990 AM, Monday to Friday, 10:30-12 a.m. Audio-video live streaming: www.dziq.am. Helplines: 0927-6499870 / 0920-9684700 E-mail: [email protected]/ [email protected]