JDV seeks Saudi help for RP in OIC

RIYADH — Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. asked his Saudi Arabian counterpart yesterday to help the Philippines be granted an observer status in the 26-member Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

In a dialogue with chairmen of the 12 committees of the Saudi Arabian Parliament or the Majlis Ash Shura, De Venecia said the move would be beneficial to some 10 million to 12 million Filipino Muslims.

"Please admit the Philippines as an observer in OIC," he asked Saudi Parliament Speaker Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid.

"We beg you, we ask you to support the long-standing request of our country for that observer status." 

De Venecia told Saleh the request was made by President Arroyo "who asked me to personally appeal to you to please consider the Philippines application, just like Russia which won an observer status upon Yemen’s endorsement."

The Saudi Speaker assured De Venecia that he will do his best, noting that there have been many requests for such from "so many countries."

"I truly hope that your request will be considered among the member-countries," he said. "If I have the opportunity, I will make this request."

Ambassador to Riyadh Bahnarim Guinomla told The STAR the Philippine request for observer status in the OIC was "formally submitted during the time of the late Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople."

But such request had been made way back, even before Ople assumed office, he added.

Meanwhile, De Venecia assured the Shura committee chairman that the Philippine government will make moves to expedite the processing and licensing of Filipino workers who are going to this country, as delay concerns have been raised.

"We will meet with the Department of Labor officials as soon as we get back to Manila and we will attend to these problems," he told the Saudi Arabian members of Parliament.

Some Saudi lawmakers acknowledged that "Filipino workers are more qualified than Muslim workers," which is an "indication that the Kingdom needs the skills of more skilled workers."

There are as many Muslim professionals since they also have doctors, lawyers, engineers and the like who are employed in the Philippines and in various parts of the world, De Venecia said.

In another development, De Venecia asked the Saudi Arabian government, through Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, governor of Riyadh, to grant clemency to overseas Filipino workers who are languishing in jail for various offenses.

De Venecia issued the appeal, also for the possible repatriation of the OFWs, as he opened a four-day official visit to Saudi Arabia with a delegation of several Filipino-Muslim lawmakers and Filipino business leaders from the private sector.

"Please allow me to convey on behalf of Her Excellency, President Arroyo, my appeal for Your Royal Clemency for the release and repatriation of Filipino nationals who are presently detained in Riyadh while facing charges and serving sentences for light or minor offenses," he said in a one-page letter.