Senator Raffy Tulfo has issued a stern warning to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), saying he will block their 2026 budget if they fail to address the persistent abuse of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
During a Senate Committee on Migrant Workers hearing on Wednesday, Tulfo, who chairs the panel, expressed dismay that despite OFWs being hailed as modern-day heroes, many still suffer mistreatment—particularly in the Middle East. He lamented that complaints of abuse continue to pour into his office.
The senator suggested that just as OFWs undergo strict screening before deployment, their employers should also be subject to background checks to verify their mental fitness and ensure they have no history of abusive behavior.
Tulfo also urged the agencies to implement mandatory annual check-ups for OFWs in their host countries to ensure their physical and mental well-being is safeguarded.
