DOLE officials ignore PACC sub-poenas


Press Release
15 August 2018



The Lilac Center for Public Interest, Inc., yesterday bared that three officials of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)  who have been summoned by the Presidential  Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) to testify in connection with the cases filed by Amanda L. Araneta and Monalie Dizon against DOLE Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, former Undersecretary Dominador Say, and Director Jesus Cruz of the DOLE’s International Labor Affairs Bureau have refused to comply with the subpoenas issued to them by the  President’s anti-corruption watchdog. 

The Lilac Center named the officials who have refused to comply with the subpoenas as Atty. Philip A. Paredes, Director of the DOLE Legal Service, Warren M. Miclat, Director of the DOLE Financial and Management Service, and Maria Victoria Marquez of the DOLE’s Cash Division.

The three have been directed to appear before the PACC tomorrow, Thursday,  16 August 2018, to testify and submit documents in connection with the complaints against Sec. Bello, former Usec. Say and Dir. Cruz docketed as PACC FF-002-2018-00002, PACC FF-002-2018-00005, and PACC FF-002-2018-00003, but have refused.

In separate letters to  PACC Chairman Dante LA Jimenez, all dated 8 August 2018, copies of which were obtained by the Lilac Center, Directors Paredes and & Miclat and Ms. Marquez  said that Secretary Bello III, being the head of the DOLE and alter ego of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, is the person responsible for the custody of DOLE documents and other official records and should, therefore, be the one to have been subpoenaed as  a matter of courtesy and recognition.

They also said they could not honor the subpoenas because the documents being asked by the PACC do not exist, and that in order for them to submit such documents, the PACC should first furnish them copies of the complaints so they would “know exactly what documents are material to the said complaint.”

Some of the documents being subpoenaed by the PACC are remanded/reversed cases decided by the DOLE Secretary and/or the undersecretary, a disbursement voucher/check for ₱ 5 million, and travel documents of Secretary Bello III, ILAB OIC Director Cruz, and ILAB Staff Jessa David.

“By refusing to comply with the subpoenas, these officials face the risk  of possible administrative action and a criminal offense for obstruction of justice under Executive Order no. 43. S. 2017,” said Nicon F. Fameronag, Lilac Center President.

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