Many Pinoys in Qatar Seek to Annul Marriage

While an increasing number of civil marriages are taking place among Filipinos in Qatar, the number of those who want to file annulment may be even more, reports Gulf Times. Ed Alcantara, one of the advisers of Foundation for Family and Life (FFL) said that at least five out of 10 overseas Filipino workers who have been separated from their partners would want their marriage nullified.

His group, which collaborates with attached Philippine government agencies, holds Post-Arrival Orientation Seminars (PAOS) to incoming OFWs. It also spearheads other activities to help and empower underprivileged Filipinos.

“I know the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is already conducting a study about the effects of migration to the family which, we all know, is the basic unit of society,” said Alcantara, who has been working in Qatar for 11 years.

PH Smartphone Adoption Highest in SE Asia

Smartphone adoption is still rising in the Philippines, with more than more than a twofold increase during the last 12 months, the highest in Southeast Asia for the period, reports Interaksyon.com. The research firm GfK gathered data from retail stores in the Philippines from April 2012 to March 2013. GfK said as many as 5.7 million smartphone units were sold in the country, representing a 146 percent jump in smartphone adoption. 

Dan Brown's Depiction of Metro Manila Irks Official

The Metro Manila Development Authority on Thursday wrote a letter to American best-selling novelist Dan Brown complaining of his “inaccurate” depiction of Manila in his latest novel Inferno, reports GMA News. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino's May 23 letter says, “We are displeased of how you have used Manila as a venue and source of character’s breakdown and trauma, much more her disillusionment in humanity.” One character in the novel, Sienna Brooks, joins a humanitarian mission to Manila only to be shocked by its poverty and then raped by local ruffians. 

Young Taiwanese Support for OFWs Amid Furor

A group of young Taiwanese marched to busy Chungsan North Road in Taipei on March 19 carrying signs expressing solidarity with Filipino workers in Taiwan who became subjects of  outrage following the shooting death of a Taiwanese fisherman, reports Philstar.com. The street is where some members from the Filipino migrant workers gather on their Sunday time off for at the local St. Christopher's Church. "I'm Taiwanese supporting Filipino workers" and "Taiwanese bless Filipino workers" were just some of the messages written on the colorful handmade posters carried by the youngsters.

Ex-Envoy to Kuwait Faces Sex Abuse Raps

Charges of sexual harassment have been filed against recalled Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Shulan Primavera for allegedly abusing a household helper several times in 2012, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Wednesday, reports Inquirer.net. Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez, the DFA spokesman, said on Wednesday that Primavera would soon face a formal hearing after the charges were elevated against him. The official was, however, scant on details.

HK's Top Court Rules Against Filipino Domestics

Hong Kong's top court  on Monday ruled against two Filipino domestic helpers seeking permanent residency, the final decision in a case that affects tens of thousands of other foreign maids, reports SunStar.com. The Court of Final Appeal unanimously sided with the government's position that tight restrictions on domestic helpers mean they don't have the same status as other foreign residents. Lawyers for the two had argued that an immigration provision barring domestic workers from permanent residency was unconstitutional. The decision means Evangeline Banao Vallejos and Daniel Domingo are not allowed to apply to settle permanently after living at least seven years in Hong Kong. 

UK Had Highest Overseas Voting Turnout

The United Kingdom has the highest percentage in overseas absentee voting turnout for the 2013 elections among the top 10 overseas Filipino workers destination countries, with the United Arab Emirates taking the tenth spot. Data compiled by GMA News Online from the final OAV tally for the 2013 elections show that the UK has a turnout of 20.59 percent, with 2,681 who voted out of 13,023 registered voters for this year’s elections. The data were based on numbers given by Philippine Embassies and Consulates General in those 10 countries.

PH Inks Deal with Saudi on Protecting Maids

The Philippines signed a historic agreement with Saudi Arabia protecting thousands of Filipina maids from being exploited in the Middle Eastern kingdom, reports AFP/Inquirer.net. The agreement guarantees Filipina maids benefits like a day off each week while preventing their hiring costs from being deducted from their salary, among other safeguards.