Romualdez hails OFWs, calls them 'true heroes of the republic'
House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are the true heroes of the Philippine Republic. House Speaker Martin Romualdez made this declaration in front of migrant Filipinos during his visit to Jeju island, South Korea last week. "Your hard work and significant contribution to the Philippine economy is not lost on us. Especially in this Marcos Jr. administration. You are the true heroes of the republic,” Speaker Romualdez said in his message to the Filipino community in Jeju. “You are very, very important to us that is why we are here," added the Leyte 1st district congressman. “We are aware of the fact that peace and prosperity of this country can only be achieved if there are effective strategies that will protect, elevate and uphold your rights as migrants in the Republic of Korea," said the House leader, who was accompanied by his wife, Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez. Speaker Romualdez attended last June 1 the opening ceremony of the ASEAN-Korea Leaders’ Forum held at the Jeju International Convention Center (ICC) in Jeju Island. He led the Philippine House of Representatives delegation to the forum. During the event, Speaker Romualdez rubbed elbows with Kim Jin-pyo, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (ROK). “We hope this forum can serve as a bridge to connect the Philippines and the rest of the Southeast Asian region closer to our Asian and international partners,” he said. Other prominent personalities who graced the forum include Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Timor Leste President Jose Ramos Horta, and former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.