“FEEL the wrath of the Filipino workers” on their threat of remittance boycott week, says the poster online.
The Maisug movement in Croatia, Europe has initiated to launch the “Zero remittance” of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) earnings starting March 28 as a show of support to Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (FPRRD), who is now under the custody of the International Criminal court.
March 28 is the 80th birthday FPRRD. The remittance boycott of millions OFWs is expected for a week.
The call for “Zero remittance” has spark reactions among OFWS in Europe and most of them has demonstrated support of the call, while Philippine government has reacted.
The “Zero remittance” call has been initiated by Maisug Croatia chapter led by its vice-chair Erwin HR, who refuted the reaction of the Philippine government thru Usec. Claire Castro.
The billions of pesos remittance from OFWs working around the world has significantly contributed the Gross National Product of the country. In Bohol, Boholano OFWs sent money, either thru banking system or other channels, in the amount of over P20 billion annually that help subsidised its economy.
In her facebook post, Jesha Marie Antonette Cuyacot, an eye doctor and nurse working somewhere in the US has this to say, “Aw apil pud ko ani boycot sa this week!”
“Because if all 10 million OFWs worldwide choose to do the same, it won’t just show how deeply Duterte is loved—it will be a powerful statement of how far Filipinos are willing to stand for him, and for our nation’s sovereignty,” said Rob Rances in his fb post. Rances has confirmed that this (call) is real, adding the OFWs have spoken and agitated to bring FPRRD back home.
Erwin HR said that the “zero remittance” is a show of OFW’s disgust, who saw how FPRRD maltreated and sent to The Hague. Secondly, if what PCO Usec. Claire Castro has said to observe the law, Erwin HR countered that why FPRRD was not given the opportunity to due process.
And Erwin HR said that Castro will not worry since the call for “Zero remittance” has been discussed with their families back home. And besides, they’re already used to sacrifice, he added.
Sheila Clarete Simbajon, an OFW since 2004, had this to say. “And now, we are protesting peacefully: NO REMITTANCE FOR ONE WEEK. From March 28 to April 4. Yes, it may affect the economy a bit—but this is our voice from across the globe.
In 2024, OFWs sent personal remittances to the Philippines totaling $38.34 billion, or $3.2 billon per month. “These remittances play a significant role in the Philippine economy, accounting for 8.3% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 7.4% of its Gross National Income (GNI).”
In January 2025, cash remittances sent through banks grew by 2.9% year-on-year, reaching $2.92 billion, up from $2.84 billion in the same month of the previous year. This increase was primarily attributed to higher receipts from both land-based (3.4%) and sea-based (0.9%) workers.
The United States remained the largest source of remittances, contributing 40.9% of the total personal remittances in 2024. Other significant contributors included Singapore (7.2%), Saudi Arabia (6.1%), and Japan (5.1%), report said. (rvo)
