PNoy spokesman denies saying OFW remittances not important

MANILA, Philippines —  Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda denied that he downplayed the economic importance of overseas Filipino workers' (OFWs) remittances.

"I have received numerous texts if I said that the OFW remittances do not benefit the economy. I never did," Lacierda said in a Facebook post on Sunday night.

"If people would recklessly accuse someone without checking the facts, then it must be a sorry reflection of one's state of opinion writing," he added.

Lacierda shared a transcript of his media briefing on Sept. 4, 2013 when he allegedly said that OFW remittances are not important to the economy.

During the briefing, Lacierda was asked for his reaction regarding the planned "No Remittance Day" of an OFW group to protest the pork barrel scam.

Lacierda said such call was also made in the past but turned out to be "not effective."

He said another "No Remittance Day" is unlikely since it will directly affect Filipino families who benefit from their relatives' remittances.

"Iyong remittance po ng mga OFWs po, hindi po napupunta po 'yan sa ano... napupunta po 'yan sa kanilang mga kamag-anak," Lacierda said.

The Palace official said those behind the allegations against him are only trying to pit the OFWs against the Aquino administration.

"Please take note that the briefing was almost two years ago, and it is being revived now. There is obviously a nefarious gnome trying to instigate the OFWs to be in conflict with this government," he said.

Lacierda's colleague, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. also defended the spokesman.

"Ang sinabi lang po ni Secretary Lacierda ay ito: 'Karapatan ng bawat OFW ‘yung pagpapasya kung paano niya ipapadala ‘yung kinita niya,'" Coloma said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

"Walang katotohanan at walang batayan 'yang mga paratang," he added.

Criticisms related to OFW concerns were hurled at the administration after the Bureau of Customs went underfire for implementing stricter inspections of OFWs' balikbayan boxes.

After the BOC drew flak from various sectors, Aquino on Monday night ordered the agency to stop conducting random physical inspections of balikbayan boxes.

Coloma said Aquino took into account the plight of OFWs, refuting claims that the administration neglected the welfare of Filipino migrant workers.