I disagree with Joanna Tung's views on both the Philippines and Hong Kong, not because I am easily offended by her hard-nosed manner, but because I do not accept the 'well-argued points' that she makes. In her earlier letter (South China Morning Post, March 1) Ms Tung contended that, although their own government was responsible for their social and economic problems, Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong were taking out their anger on employers here. This is not a statement of fact or logic - it is at best a guess. It pre-supposes that Filipinos come to Hong Kong to work with a big chip on their shoulders. There is no disputing Ms Tung's first-hand knowledge of the Filipino Government, and how it is responsible for perpetuating poverty through corruption and ineptness. However, the misfortunes that force Filipinos to earn their living abroad as domestic workers should not be compounded by callous treatment at the hands of their Chinese employers. Ms Tung may still be right when she says that Filipinos are loathe to face reality and to confront the real source of their problems. However, Ms Tung is the one who refuses to face up to reality because she refuses to entertain the possibility that Chinese people may be unkind. I may disrupt Chinese unity by criticising fellow Chinese, but at least I try to get involved and stand for what is right. Ms Tung is an economic nomad who will always run from a corrupt regime rather than try to make a difference. ALEX KAUNG Ho Man Tin
