“Sana wag nyo kaming gamiting ‘materyal’ para sa kagustuhan nyong manalo" — Seaman's Open Letter to VP Leni

A seaman wrote a letter for Vice President Leni Robredo after she was interviewed by television host Boy Abunda.

It will be recalled that one of Robredo's plans if she wins the presidency is to give opportunity to those who intend to become Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) to get a better position or job abroad. “Yung mga umaalis at nag-aabroad, dapat binibigyan natin sila ng pagkakataon na mas maganda yung trabaho na makukuha nila.” said Robredo.

In his ‘open letter’, Lacruiser Relativo said that it is okay for OFWs to start from the lowest position. An example is the hardship that Relativo went through before he reached his current position today.

“Lahat naman kami nagsimula sa pinakamababang posisyon. Proud akong taga segragate ng basura. Taga grasa ng kable. Taga tapon ng foodwaste. Taga katok ng di maubos ubos na kalawang. Tagalinis, mula accommodation hanggang sa bodega.” said Relativo. “Ginawa namin lahat ng yan para sa pangarap at makatulong sa pamilya. I do not demean my colleagues who are in the lower ranks VP Leni. They all make a good team and family onboard. Para sa akin ang tagumpay ay para sa lahat ng nangangarap mapa-ratings man o opisyal. Tagumpay na maituturing ang maitaguyod mo ang iyong pamilya sa trabahong malinis at marangal.” he added.

 

He also urged Robredo not to use OFWs to get more votes because they have not experienced good treatment under the leadership of the vice president’s allies.

“Sana lang huwag ninyo kaming gamiting ‘materyal’ para sa kagustuhan ninyong manalo at magamit ang pondong nakalaan para sa amin. Naaalala ko, during oath-taking namin sa Manila Hotel. May bisitang Aquino. Ang laman ng kanyang talumpati ay hindi para sa amin. At kung meron man, ni-isa walang natupad. Wala!” continued the seaman.

He praised the Duterte administration because only during this time under his leadership that there are a lot of good things that happened for a seaman like him. “Tanging ang pag upo ng Pangulong Duterte nagkaron ng bahagyang pagbabago. Naging 10 years na ang validity ng seaman’s book at passport. Nagkaroon ng bagong gusali at dumami ang branches ng MARINA. Naalis ang mga substandard na training centers.” added Relativo.

 

“Sa gitna ng pand3mya, hindi kami iniwan mula sa pag alis at pag uwi. Nariyan ang pakikipagtulungan ng MARINA at OWWA mula sa airport hanggang makauwi sa aming mga probinsya.” he said.

Relativo, on the other hand, requested that if Robredo is lucky enough to win, she will remove the trainings that the seamen will no longer have to do. He also hoped that Robredo will continue what the President started in case she wins the presidency.

“Sa huli VP Leni, salamat sa pagbanggit sa amin sa inyong panayam. Hindi namin alam kung matutupad ang binitawang pangako kung sakaling kayo’y maupo, ngunit malaki ang aming paniniwala na magpapatuloy ang magandang nasimulan ng administrasyong Duterte at sa susunod na kaalyado nito.” ended Relativo.

Robredo has not yet responded to Relativo's message to her.

Read the reaction from the netizens on a seaman's open letter for Vice President Leni Robredo after she was interviewed by television host Boy Abunda:

 

Source: Lacruiser P. Relativo