By Genalyn D. Kabiling
President Duterte has designated Iglesia ni Cristo Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo as his special envoy for overseas Filipino workers concerns.
The appointment paper of Manalo was signed by the President last Feb. 13 and released by Malacanang yesterday. The influential religious leader will serve as the President’s special envoy from Jan. 30 to Jan. 29, 2019.
Manalo’s appointment comes in the wake of a total deployment ban of workers to Kuwait due to brutal deaths and other abuses endured by some Filipinos there.
The President has denounced the maltreatment of Filipino workers in Kuwait and warned that karma might catch up with the Gulf state.
Apart from halting the workers’ deployment to Kuwait, the President has extended assistance to repatriate Filipinos wanting to leave the Arab nation. He also vowed to provide subsidy to the displaced workers as the government searches for alternative workplaces for OFWs such as China.
Apart from Manalo, the President has appointed Herman B. Jumilla as new Undersecretary of the Department of Budget and Management.
Jumilla, a State auditor, will take the place of Gertrudo de Leon, who was fired by the President last October for alleged corruption. His appointment paper was signed by the President last Feb. 12.
