DOLE terminates labor staff over sex abuse allegations in Middle East

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) terminated the services of  a Philippine Overseas Labor Office staff and recalled two labor attaches’ over the sexual abuse scandal in the Middle East.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz told reporters on Tuesday that dismissed from POLO office was Blas Marquez, a local hired office staff in Kuwait, after the DoLE fact-finding team completed its information and documents gathering abroad.

On the other hand, Baldoz said Jordan assistant labor attaché Mario Antonio and Saudi, Riyadh Assistant Labor Attaché Antonio Villafuerte were recalled from their posts.

Baldoz said Villafuerte plans to get the services of a private lawyer to defend himself after three female overseas Filipino workers accused him of sexual abuses.

The three labor officers were linked to the supposed sex-for-flight scam where distressed female OFWs were allegedly allowed to get plane tickets and return to the Philippine in exchange for sex.

 “The  fact-finding team that gathered information and pertinent documents from overseas Filipino workers, Filipino community leaders, and Philippine Embassy officials on the allegations about the 'sex-for-flight' issue, and to validate such information, arrived the other day from Jordan,” Baldoz said.

She noted that the team will recommend to the disciplining authority the filing of a formal charge.

"Should the recommendation be approved, the DOLE Hearing Panel chaired by Asst. Sec. Gloria Tango, earlier constituted to expedite the proceedings of the case, will receive and evaluate the formal charge including all the supporting documents, statements and evidence," she said.

"Should the respondents opt for a formal hearing, the Panel was instructed to conduct marathon hearings,” she added.

Under the DOLE Rules on Disposition of Administrative Complaints and Cases, the panel has 60 days to conclude its investigation.

Within 15 days after the formal investigation ends, the panel is expected to submit its report and recommendation.

They will also draft a decision to the disciplining authority, which has 30 days from receiving a report on the formal investigation to issue a decision, the DOLE explained.

The team included:
  • lawyer Ophelia Almenario of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
  • lawyer Rose Duquez of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration
  • lawyer Leah Fortuna of DOLE
  • lawyer Edna Yasay, an observer from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

 
The team left for the Middle East on June 28.

"Sex-for-flight" scandal

The Department of Justice earlier cited three more alleged "sex-for-flight" cases of female OFWs, including one who was reported to have committed suicide but was allegedly raped by an embassy staff in Dubai.
 
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello revealed this to her in a closed door meeting on Monday.

These three new cases are on top of the three cases being investigated by the departments of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Bello in June claimed that three victims of sexual molestation in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Syria have come to him for help.

He alleged that the perpetrators of these acts are key officials posted in Filipino resource centers.

Quoting Bello, De Lima said that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is already investigating the sexual exploitation of victims whom she declined to name.
Assistant labor attache to Saudi Arabia Antonio Villafuerte, one of those tagged in the alleged sexual exploitation of OFWs, earlier said he was willing to participate in the investigation on the issue.  - VVP, GMA News

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