This is an update on your update on Joel Cabides. Contrary to your claims in the article, the previous Government did act on Joel Cabides’ family request for permanent residency. The Filipino Chaplaincy- Chatswood Parish in consultation with the family embarked on a petition-signature campaign on Joel’s behalf last August 2007.
We secured over 300 signatures from Filipinos and Friends at various masses in Chatswood, Waitara, Allambie Heights and Mascot. We sent the original petition to then Prime Minister Howard and copy furnished to four cabinet Ministers viz. Kevin Andrews, Brendan Nelson, Joe Hockey and Tony Abbott. We received two letters from Minister Nelson assuring us of their concern. On Nov. 13 we received a letter from the office of Minister Kevin Andrews stating the granting of permanent residency status to the family of Joel Cabides. We have thanked them immediately upon receipt of the said letter.
Attached please find the article we wrote in our website news update regarding the case of Joel Cabides.
Roberto Corpuz, Deacon Elect
Diocese of Broken Bay