Former Assistant Secretary at the Presidential Communications Operations Office Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson visited Abu Dhabi to meet Duterte supporters at Al Nakheel Hotel in Abu Dhabi.
The meet and greet was organized by OFW Global Movement Association and Cooperation in Abu Dhabi headed by their president, Nedie Bansag Toralba, OFWGMAC Dubai president, Warpeace Arnold and one of their founders, Lonie Betco.
Uson shared that she had the chance to meet with Ambassador Hjayceelyn Quintana and spoke about problems regarding distressed OFWs: “Dito rin po (sa Abu Dhabi) nakausap ko po ang ating Ambassador sa embahada kanina. Nasabi rin ang problema natin sa shelter, ipaparating po natin iyon sa DOLE at kay Pangulong Duterte sa pamamagitan ni Secretary Bong Go.”
She also shared that she encountered a Filipino kid who sought her help to go home. “Ang pinaka naka-aantig po sa puso ko, may bata, six years old. Inabutan nya ako ng papel tsaka umalis siya kaagad. Nung binasa ko, ang sabi doon. ‘Dear Miss Mocha, please help us. I don’t have a father. And my mother has no job. Here’s her passport number. Please help us, we want to go home.’
The former PCOO Asec also thanked the organizers of the recently concluded Pinoy Winter Festival which was one of the reasons why she visited Dubai at this time of the year. “Dumalo po ako sa Pinoy Winter Festival sa Dubai at nagpapasalamat ako kayla mam Warpeace, Ericson, Martin, sa buong mga DDS Dubai dahil napaka-successful ng event at daan daang mga kababayan po ang nagpunta sa Pinoy Winter Festival.”
Bridging OFW concerns to President Duterte
Uson extended her gratitude for the hospitality shown to her by the Filipino community in the UAE and promised to relay all of the problems that OFWs have shared to her to President Duterte through Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Bong Go. “Ang babaunin ko po ay problema – wala pong biro. Habang nasa Dubai po tayo ay marami po ang kumausap sa akin, sinabi yung mga hinaing nila. Binisita ko din po ang mga shelter natin doon. Yung POLO-OWWA sa Dubai, mayroon tayong 280 na mga distressed na mga kababayan at gusto nilang makauwi na.
“Yun po yung baon ko, na maiparating sa ating mahal na Pangulo yung mga pinagdadaanan po natin dito at yung mga kailangang umuwi na katulad din po sa Dubai sa shelter natin doon senior citizen na at yung isa naman po ay may paralysis. Yun po yung ipaparating natin ke Tatay Digong sa pamamagitan po ni sir Bong Go,” shares Uson.
In attendance as well during the event were Bayanihan Chairman Elmer Casao, together with leaders and representatives of OFW groups in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and the UAE.
Uson is now running as AA-Kasosyo party-list representative for a seat in the lower house.
