A bill seeking to increase pensions in the private sector by P2,000 continues to sit on the table of President Aquino, unenacted into law. Why Aquino refuses to grant the benefit, only he knows. But it jibes perfectly with his earlier adamant refusal to grant tax breaks for fixed income earners in the Philippines. In the eyes of Aquino, Philippine-based workers are second-class citizens.
Compare this attitude, quickly adopted by politicians with personal interests to protect and promote, with his bias for anything OFW. When an OFW is in danger of being executed in a foreign country for committing a crime against the laws of that country, Aquino would spare no effort, including use of his own personal time, to seek a reprieve for that OFW.
When a legitimate Customs policy meant to curb smuggling and protect the nation's financial interests runs afoul with OFWs who do not want to submit balikbayan boxes to greater scrutiny, guess whose side Aquino took? This is not intended to cast aspersions on OFWs, whose sacrifices for the country are truly remarkable. But a president of a country is supposed to be the president of all. He just cannot favor one sector at the expense of the many others.
The contributions of OFWs to the economy are indeed considerable and vast. But so are the contributions of the in-country workers. It is not the wish of anyone to make comparisons and pit one sector against another. But Aquino needs to see the light in order for him to act in a manner that is free and equitable to all. To do that, he needs to be reminded that the worth of in-country contributions to the economy far eclipse those that the OFWs can ever hope to contribute.
Losing the contributions of OFWs to the economy can be likened to losing an arm. But try losing the entire worth of in-country contributions and the economy can collapse overnight. Still, despite such unquestionable importance, Aquino just cannot be made to give a little back. He cannot be made to acknowledge where the real strength of the country is derived.
Maybe it has something to do with smugness and cockiness. Aquino appears secure in the thought that regardless of whether he oils the local economic engine or not, it will keep on humming and going. Somebody must have whispered to Aquino that in-country workers really have no choice. Whether Aquino raises their standards of living or not, they will continue to keep working. Whether or not Aquino gives them a tax break, they will continue to bear the burden.
OFWs are different. They have a choice. If Aquino and his government press them too hard, they can always decide to come home, as they have always threatened over each and every government policy they do not like. But it is not the prospect of OFWs coming home that worries truly Aquino or the consequent loss of billions in remittances. It is their getting disgruntled as a bloc and what that means to the political careers of many. In-country workers are not that singular.