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.

UAE Jails Filipina for Embezzling

A United Arab Emirates (UAE) court has sentenced a Filipina to two years in jail for embezzling Dh97,000 (P1.088 million) from the Emirates Post where she once worked, reports Khaleej Times.

The Court of First Instance ordered the Filipina to return Dh97,495 and pay the same amount in fines.

Once she has served her prison time and settled her payments, the 33-year-old Filipina will be deported, the report added.

Fil-Ams Voted for Ten Aquino Senate Bets

WASHINGTON, D.C.--U.S.-based Filipinos voted for 10 administration-backed senatorial candidates in the recent absentee voting that drew almost thrice the turnout compared to the previous mid-term elections, reports the Philippine Embassy. Reelectionist Francis Escudero topped the Senate race among Pinoys in America with 9,464 votes, followed by Alan Peter Cayetano, 9,174; Grace Poe, 9,029; Loren Legarda, 8,696; Aquilino Pimentel III, 8,448; Bam Aquino, 8,267; Juan Edgardo Angara, 7,735; Richard Gordon, 7,291; Ramon Magsaysay Jr., 7,187; Riza Hontiveros, 6,983; Antonio Trillanes, 6,521 and Juan Miguel Zubiri, 4,908. All were administration candidates except for Gordon and Zubiri, who were aligned with the opposition United Nationalist Alliance.

Filipinos in Taiwan Fear Backlash

Filipinos based in Taiwan are concerned about alleged harassment in the country following the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman last week, reports ABS-CBN News. Jenny Wu, a Filipino married to a Taiwanese, said that aside from harassment and being denied services by Taiwanese nationals, some Filipinos were also reportedly beaten.

Caregiver Awarded for Foiling Kidnap Try

A Filipino teacher and caregiver received last month the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Courageous Citizens Award for foiling a kidnap attempt on her 95-year-old ward who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, reports Inquirer.net. Nida Arjona Tapel, 52, of San Miguel, Catanduanes, received the award from District Attorney Jackie Lacey, who cited the Filipino caregiver “for her presence of mind, bravery and heroic act” in thwarting the crime. 

Two Filipino Films Compete in Cannes

Filipino director Borinaga Alix Jr.'s film "Death March" is competing against 17 other movies at the Cannes Film Festival in the category for art house and experimental films, reports the New York Times/AP. Competitors include Sofia Coppola's "The Bling Ring," French director Claire Denis' "Les Salauds" and fellow Filipino director Lav Diaz's "Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan." 

Taiwan Freezes Filipino Hiring Over Death

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou Wednesday froze the hiring of Philippine workers to express "strong dissatisfaction" over Manila's handling of the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman, reports ABS-CBN News. The 65-year-old fisherman was shot dead by Filipino coastguards last week after they said his boat had strayed into Philippine waters.