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Effective 27 January
2004, Apostol 'Poe' M. Gratela is no longer the Chairperson
of MIGRANTE International and therefore does not represent in
any way, the interests, program and aspirations of the organizations
represented in MIGRANTE International as an alliance of overseas
Filipinos and their families.
This is in consonance with the Memorandum 01-04 issued by
the Executive Committee of MIGRANTE International dated 27
January 2004, which states further:
"Citing personal reasons, including economic difficulties,
Poe initially submitted his resignation letter in early November.
But because the Executive Committee wished to discuss the
matter further with Poe, we held series of discussions with
him before finally deciding to accept his resignation this
January.
Beyond accepting his resignation, the EC now affirms Mr.
Poe Gratela is no longer acceptable as our Chairperson because
of his current work for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Based on recent reports and Poe's admission, he is now
connected with President Gloria's re-election campaign machinery.
In particular, he is a consultant on migrant workers concerns
for Kaisangbayan, an NGO with multi-sectoral concerns, formed
by Nani Braganza, Mike Defensor and Mike Arroyo. As we understand,
KAISANGBAYAN was created to boost President Gloria's campaign.
It is likely he may soon accompany President Gloria on her
campaign sorties not just inside the Philippines but overseas
as well.
In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for example, GMA-Kaisam
Bayan held a press conference on instructions of Mr. Gratela.
GMA means Genuine Migrant Advocates. There are also reports
that Mr. Gratela is recruiting members for Kalahi, a government-sponsored
group to pose as an "alternative organization of migrants"
counter to MIGRANTE International."
The Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS), the member
organization of MIGRANTE International in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
affirms this decision by the Executive Committee.
We call on our members and friends, therefore, to remain
vigilant against moves by the government of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
to diffuse the militancy of migrant communities by offering
paltry alternatives such as things offered Poe Gratela, on
one hand, and by stifling the protests against the anti-migrant
policies of her governance as seen by the recent arrest of
MIGRANTE leaders and members who staged a camp-in in front
of OWWA offices on January 27.
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