Atty. Angelo "Jijil" Jimenez as the right OWWA Administrator

HER EXCELLENCY
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Republic of the Philippines
Malacaсang Palace
San Miguel, Manila

Dear Madam President Arroyo:

We, the undersigned petitioners, do hereby respectfully and wilfully express our unequivocal support for the endorsement and/or appointment of ATTORNEY ANGELO JIJIL A. JIMENEZ as the next ADMINISTRATOR of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

In his selfless devotion to public service, Atty. Jijil has proven his worth as our country's Labor Attachй in the Japan and the Middle East, wherein he was able to orchestrate even the most impossible solutions in his most silent and humble way addressing the many problems of our distressed OFWs in the Japan and the Middle East (particularly in Kuwait and Iraq).

To the many who has met and know him, wherever he was assigned to (be it in Japan, Kuwait and Iraq), he was revered to as the "Hero of the Modern-Day Heroes" - although he keeps on denying the same, humility being his solid character. Incorruptible in many ways, he is known to all industry sectors, be it private, government, civil-society and even OFWs as a man with impeccable integrity loyalty and love to country and its people and dedication to all call of duty.

In his years in Japan, starting an assistant Labor Attachй then acting Labor Attachй (prior to his next assignment to the Middle East) Atty. Jijil is well-known to all as an officer with compassion and true spirit of mediation/conciliation. Short of saying, the industry enjoyed a much longer peace during this period where he rather seek a middle-ground beneficial to all concerned, rather than resort immediately to filing a case something the private sector resents to his counterpart officials assigned in other posts around the world with high presence of OFWs.

The years of atrocities in 2003 ~ 2005 have plagued the countries of Iraq of many summary killings, kidnappings, insurgencies and what-have-you, yet Atty. Jijil voluntarily and selflessly refused to abandon his post, risking his own life and that of the very future of his own family.

His participation in the situation of both Angelo dela Cruz and Robert Tarongoy was exemplary, yet continuously disowns propriety of the same as he keeps on stating in public how the government he represents has always had the concern over its citizens, being its primordial policy-direction.

The Citation that Her Excellency has bestowed on Atty. Jijil in 2005 (for Courage and Dedication beyond the Call of Duty) is only what mattered to him.

His being a Labor Attachй in Kuwait, Atty. Jijil was able to secure many Filipino lives especially during the 2003 War in the Gulf. Being always visible and available to each and every OFW and Filipino citizens alike needing of his presence, attention and/or assistance, Atty. Jijil is never conceived as a self-cantered public servant who voluptuously focuses only on the work that needs to be done, rather than gain popularity for what he has done.

His appointment as OWWA Deputy Administrator in 2005 is not only welcomed by the many OFW organization and Civil Society groups, but the private-sector industry leadership as well. His clean record of being one of the most incorruptible public servants is a resounding fact in many walls of government and private offices alike. Under his tenure, OWWA has become a stronger and more pro-people. His clear understanding of the problems of both workers and employers from experience, has given him enough courage to undertake his submitting the many proposals in delivering the service of OWWA at a much faster and effective manner.

His participation in the Israel-Lebanon conflict, affecting many Household Service Workers, has earned him another citation from Her Excellency wherein the many OFW organization recognized him equally as one of the major architects of ensuring the Filipinos away from harm, something that many welcomed and believed he truly deserve.

A competent lawyer, his vital participation in 2006 assisting no less than our Vice-President in order to save Marilou Renario in Kuwait from execution only shows his true knowledge of international diplomacy and the idiosyncrasies of the Sharia law.

A great listener, slow to anger, easy to forgive, dedicated, honest, competent and compassionate Atty. Jijil is believed to be a great asset to Her Excellencys government. His sure appointment to OWWA would not only bring forth many solutions to the many imperfections that this government agency have, but it would surely strengthen the basic trust and confidence of the common people to this government. We have no doubt Atty. Jijil can effectively achieve all these given a fair chance to prove the same.

We fervently hope and equally seek the consideration of Her Excellency that Atty. ANGELO Jijil A. JIMENEZ be appointed and given a fair chance to continue proving his worth as the ADMINISTRATOR of OWWA.