MANILA: The Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) recommended yesterday the filing of administrative charges against three officials tagged in the alleged ‘sex-for-fly’ scheme victimising overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East.
“...[O]n the basis of the team’s finding of the existence of prima facie case, I have approved its recommendation to file administrative charges against the following officials for other infractions, specifically Labour Attaché Adam Musa for gross negligence; (officer-in-charge) Labour Attaché Mario Antonio for grave misconduct; and Assistant Labour Attaché Antonio Villafuerte for simple negligence,” DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.
The state agency’s fact-finding team recently concluded its investigation in the issue, which reportedly victimised migrant Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan.
Baldoz said that in addition to the simple negligence charge against Villafuerte, she also approved the team’s recommendation to refer the complaints for sexual harassment to the DOLE Committee on Decorum and Investigation.
Under the law, the committee is tasked to investigate and hear sexual harassment cases. Five days from the receipt of the complaint to conduct a preliminary investigation, the committee is expected to formally file charges, Baldoz said.
She added that depending on the gravity of the offense, penalties under the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 range from suspension to dismissal from the service.
“The charge against Asst. Labor Attaché Villafuerte will be endorsed to the DOLE Legal Service for formal hearing,” Baldoz said.
The Cabinet official said the statements and documents on the allegations were submitted last July 18 to the Department of Justice to evaluate the possibility of criminal liability.
“We are implementing other reforms at the Philippine Overseas Labour Offices where the Ambassador is the Head of the Post,” she said.
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