Our Desk | On why Filipino migrants are fond of the president

Lynzy Valles

Family members of Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte visited both Hong Kong and Macau over the weekend to thank the migrant workers for their support for the administration of the country’s leader.

In both SARs, a majority of the registered voters supported the former mayor of Davao City during elections in 2016, when he won the presidential election in a landslide victory.

Although both international and local news have reported the cruel results of his anti-drug rampage and his frequent use of profane language, the president still has the support of millions of his compatriots working overseas. 

Despite multiple scandals, the leader has still managed to win the hearts of many, probably because of the attention he has shown to Filipinos working overseas.

This is why on Saturday, migrant workers flocked to Chan Meng Kam Theater to show their support for the current administration of the Philippines, chanting “Duterte,” as his children walked into the room.

His thousands of supporters in Macau have also been very vocal about their support for their president – a move that was not seen during the former administration.

It was also probably the first time that these overseas workers were assured that their government would work on proposals for them and in their interest.

Although the president is not as eloquent as the country’s previous leaders, the tough-talking leader has become a favorite of migrant workers.

In his nearly two years of leading the country, he has implemented and approved bills which would benefit migrant workers, including the recent Overseas Filipino Bank (OFB), a government-run bank that is dedicated to the needs of an estimated 10 million overseas Filipino workers and other Filipinos based abroad.

The five-hour event on Saturday was held to demonstrate the administration’s care and respect for the Filipino workers in the city, bringing in artists and other officials to entertain the audience.

I suppose this is one of the activities which the community truly appreciates as they continue to feel the support and comfort of the government as they are away from their hometowns.

The theater was full of positive vibes as the migrant workers expressed their trust that the current administration would call on their rights protections, particularly citing the death of a domestic helper whose body was found stuffed in a freezer. The body was reportedly kept for a year, sparking outrage not just amongst the community but throughout the country, as it highlights the plight of many domestic workers abroad.

While Duterte had not yet disclosed which countries he plans to impose a deployment ban upon, following his recent order to ban deployment in Kuwait, he has called on countries hosting Filipino migrant workers to ensure their humane treatment.

Nevertheless, many migrants in Macau continue to express their belief in the current presidency, because the president makes them feel secure while working overseas.

During press interviews conducted on Saturday, these workers expressed that they are continually feeling the change promised by the president even in small ways such as how the Philippine Consulate General in Macau accommodates and conducts efficient consular services.

They appreciate the significant tangible results of Duterte’s administration, remembering the many promises he had made to his countrymen working overseas – promises that are progressively being ratified.