Robin Padilla: Abusing OFWs not part of Islam teachings

FILE PHOTO: Senator Robinhood Padilla at the Senate session hall. Senate PRIB file photo / Voltaire F. Domingo / Bibo Nueva España

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robin Padilla got emotional on Wednesday while stressing that abusing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is not part of Islam teachings.

Padilla made the remark after Senator Raffy Tulfo delivered a privilege speech about the plight of OFWs and showed clips of their sufferings.

According to Tulfo, countries with the most reported abuses among OFWs are Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, which are considered Muslim nations.

“Meron lang po akong gustong linawin. Ang mga ganap na ito ay hindi po katuruan ng Muslim. Wala po ito sa katuruan namin,” he said during his manifestation.

(I want to make one thing clear. These are not what Islam teaches.)

“Katunayan, ang turo po sa amin ng Propetang Mohammad, kailanman kahit sinong tao dapat tratuhin mong pantay-pantay lalo na po ang tinatawag nating servants, kasambahay, katulong. Sila po ay pinoproteksyunan ng Islam,” he added.

(Islam and the Prophet Mohammad teach us to treat everyone equally, especially servants and helpers. They are protected by Islam.)

Padilla, whose Muslim name is Abdul Aziz, apologized to Filipinos for the abuses committed by the said nations.

“Intindihin ninyo, patawarin ninyo po kami sa kagagawan ng aming mga kapatid kung sila ay talagang karumal-dumal po. Gusto ko lang linawin na wala itong kinalaman sa Islam,” he said.

(I ask for understanding and forgiveness for these dastardly acts. I want to make clear that these have nothing to do with Islam.)

The senator urged Tulfo to help OFWs prepare for their work abroad through basic education of the language and culture of the host nation.

Padilla likewise pushed for the punishment of individuals who are proven to neglect OFWs.

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