Drilon: Labor attaché ‘violated norms of decency’ on deportation bid vs OFW in Taiwan

Sen. Franklin Drilon. PRIB Photo

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Labor Attaché in Taiwan Fidel Macauyag “violated all norms of decency” when he requested the deportation of a Filipino migrant worker who posted anti-Duterte sentiments on social media, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Saturday.

“Unang-una, ako ay dating labor secretary, ang tungkulin lang ng labor attaché ay iisa: para proteksyunan ang ating mga kababayan sa ibang dagat,” he told DWIZ when asked about Macauyag’s actions against the Filipina, who works as a caregiver in Taiwan.

(First, I was a former Labor Secretary, the role of a labor attaché is this: to protect our citizens overseas.)

“Sa akin (For me), this labor attaché in Taiwan violated all norms of decency ng sinabi niyang i-deport itong kababayan natin (when he said this fellow Filipino of ours must be deported),” he added.

To recall, Macauyag alleged that Elanel Egot Ordidor committed cyber libel when she criticized President Rodrigo Duterte through social media posts that purportedly “intend to cause hatred against the government” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the Taiwan government has rejected the Philippine labor official’s bid, saying their citizens, as well as foreign workers, enjoy the protection of their rights, including the freedom of expression, under their laws.

KGA