DAMMAM, 7 May 2006 — Various community organizations in the Eastern Region want Manila and the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh to ignore a move by two so-called umbrella organizations to oust Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz from his post.

In e-mails to and interviews with Arab News, group leaders said the petition signed by some officers of the All Filipino Community and Sports Commission (Afcscom) and the OFW Congress in Eastern Province (OFWCEP) does not represent the entire community in the eastern part of the Kingdom.

The petition cited eight complaints against Cruz, including his alleged failure to implement government support programs, failure to show leadership and rapport with the community, lack of support to community leaders who assist distressed OFWs and to community projects in the region.

Afcscom’s overall chairman, Roilo Alojado, and OFW Congress President Ernie Mapanao forwarded the petition to the embassy, the Department of Labor and Employment in Manila, and Congress.

Leaders of the groups who disowned the petition said such a serious move should first be deliberated upon by all the member organizations.

Rex Catubigan, president of the United Surigaonon Association, told Arab News that the petition was limited to the commissioners of Afcscom. “I was only informed (of the petition) but not consulted on our stand,” Catubigan said. “We need to review what is in the Constitution and By-Laws of Afcscom. They (officers) may have the right to file the petition but it doesn’t always follow that all the member organizations support it.” Catubigan said.

Afcscom has over 50 member organiza-tions, but only 19 commissioners and four past chairmen signed the petition.

Boy Tuazon, former president of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) in the region, said it was unfair to judge Cruz without giving him a chance to explain his side.

“Labatt Cruz is so approachable. Our group is always in tandem with the activities of the embassy and the POLO-OWWA on all its programs,” said Tuazon, who recently contributed to the Classroom Galing sa Manggagawang Pilipino Abroad (CGMA) project of the Department of Labor and Employment.

Reggie Montaño, president of Ro Akeanon Saudi Arabia, was surprised that Jojie Apolinario, also of RASA, signed the petition. Apolinario was also a former overall chairman of Afcscom.

Ronie Molina, chairman of Filpop, said that his group continues to support Cruz even though their representative to Afcscom, Bong Buela, signed the petition.

Teachers and parents of the International Philippine School in Alkhobar (IPSA) demanded that their representative of Afcscom, Tony Coloma, explain to the school board why he signed the petition without consulting with his colleagues.

Other organizations not under the two umbrella groups also expressed their support to Cruz. Ador Tañedo and Roberto Olarte, president and secretary, respectively, of the Filipino Community in Jubail, said they were surprised by Alojado’s complaint that the Overseas Absentee Voting registration in Jubail was not properly coordinated by Cruz.

“For your information, there was proper coordination between the groups and the Philippine Embassy-Riyadh Comelec Team ... with the assistance of Atty. Cruz which led to the success of the first field OAV registration in Jubail,” Tañedo said in an e-mail.

Zane Thirlwall, director general of the Eastern Province Tae Kwon Do Union, said that Cruz had always been supportive of sports groups in the area.

The Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKOR) also threw its weight behind Cruz. In an SMS or text message to this writer, the group said that Cruz helped in all activities of the group, particularly during the Mideastwide OKOR competition in Bahrain last January.

A newly formed group called “The Heroes” had started a signature campaign to counter the petition for Cruz’s recall. The group is composed of domestic helpers, laborers, drivers, waiters, gardeners, and other non-skilled workers.

“Contrary to the charges raised in that recall petition, Mr. Cruz is doing his best to help OFWs,” group leader Boy Aristeo said.

“We are sad to hear about this news. We are thankful to Delmer Cruz who personally guided us to build our own humble group so we can support our members in this sector,” said Nilda Cornejos, a maid at Aramco.

The petition appeared to have taken its toll on Cruz, who was taken ill and hospitalized early this week.

Arab News learned that doctors found adhesion in his intestines and said it could have been caused by stress.