Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Wednesday, March 26 urged overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) supporting former president Rodrigo Duterte to think carefully with their plan before staging a "zero remittance week."
Escudero warned that not only would it affect Philippine economy, but more so, would it hurt their own families.
"For me, it is well within their rights (to stage a protest), but it will hurt, not only their families and loved ones when it comes to sustaining their daily, weekly and monthly needs," Escudero said during a forum.
"But this will affect our economy and the personal needs of the people," he said.
At the same time, the Senate chief rejected chief presidential legal counsel Juan Ponce Enrile's proposition of possibly revoking the tax privileges of OFWs over this planned action.
"I will not advise it. This is not an issue of revenge. If we want the issue to subside, to calm the emotion and tension, retaliating is not the right way," he said.
"Maybe the right reaction is to broaden their understanding, understand and accept the situation and encourage them to perhaps find other ways to express their innermost feelings," he suggested.
"Because as they say, those who will be affected by this are their own loved ones and our economy," he stressed.