RIYADH, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – For the first time since he took office, President Duterte has cut his speech and instead opened the floor to the queries of his audience during his meeting with members of the Filipino community here Wednesday night (KSA time).
This after some overseas Filipino workers insisted on getting Duterte’s attention by shouting their sentiments off-mic while the President was giving his speech.
“If you want some questions answered, I am ready. You can take the floor and let’s have a short time for an open forum,” he said.
The first question hurled to Duterte was about the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (DOFW).
Duterte agreed that there has to be a separate agency to cater to the needs of the Filipino workers abroad but said it is not within his powers to create such. He, however, assured them that it is coming.
He said a separate department for sailors in the Maritime Authority is also being proposed.
“The creation of a department does not belong to me. It belongs to Congress. We have proposed a separate body. So nakatutok ‘yan,” he added. (Argyll Geducos)