Enrile: OFW Benefits at Risk if Boycott Proceeds
JUAN PONCE ENRILE – The Chief Presidential Legal Counsel issued a warning to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who plan to participate in a remittance boycott in support of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Various OFW groups worldwide have organized a week-long remittance boycott as a form of protest.
In a Facebook post, Enrile reminded OFWs of the government benefits they enjoy, including tax exemptions and the privilege of working abroad with official documentation. He cautioned them against joining the boycott, warning that the government might respond with countermeasures.
He pointed out that OFWs currently do not pay income tax on their earnings abroad, are exempt from travel and airport fees, and do not have to pay documentary stamp taxes on their remittances. Additionally, they are not required to file income tax returns. These privileges, he explained, were granted through laws enacted by Congress.
Enrile warned that if Congress decided to retaliate, they could reconsider these benefits. “If such an advice is followed by some OFWs, what will happen should Congress, for instance, retaliates and cancel or also suspend the tax privileges of the OFWs that follow the advice? The OFWs are income tax–free on their earnings abroad; they do not pay travel taxes; they do not pay airport fees; they are exempt from the documentary stamp taxes on their remittances; and they are also exempt from filing income tax returns. In addition, they have to have passports to be able to work as OFWs,” he said.
“Congress granted these privileges to them by laws enacted by it. I earnestly suggest to our OFWs to study carefully that advice to them before they get burned by it,” he added.
Meanwhile, Malacañang Palace urged OFWs to remain calm, emphasizing that a remittance boycott would not only affect the government but also their own families in the Philippines. Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro explained that withholding remittances could hurt their loved ones who rely on the financial support sent from abroad.