'Sex-for-flight' probe body arrives from Jordan, start validating evidence

MANILA, Philippines - Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz on Tuesday said a fact-finding team sent to the Middle East has started the process of validating all information and evidence against officials involved in the "sex-for-flight" scheme.

Baldoz said that the team, which arrived in the country from Jordan on Monday afternoon, has started determining the liability of government officials implicated in the controversy.

"During their information-gathering and fact-finding mission in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, the Team interviewed several OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) and Filipino community leaders, including those who may have information and knowledge about the allegations," Baldoz said.

She added: "They also interviewed Philippine Embassy and Philippine Overseas Labor Office officials and employees. They also received oral testimonies, letters, and e-mails related to the issue, and documented these submissions."

She said that the team, composed of lawyers Ophelia Almenario of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Rose Duquez of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Leah Fortuna of Department of Labor and Employment and Edna Yasay, an observer from the  Department of Foreign Affairs, left for the Middle East last June 28.

Baldoz said "the team will evaluate all the information, pertinent documents and testimonies they gathered and will require the person(s) complained of to submit their sworn comment or counter-affidavit."

"On the basis of the submissions and documents gathered, the team will determine if a prima facie case exist against our personnel for any wrongdoing that they may have committed at the post," she added.

Baldoz said the team will also recommend the filing of formal charges which if approved, will be heard by a DOLE panel, headed by Assistant Secretary Gloria Tango.

"Should the respondent(s) opt for a formal hearing, the panel was instructed to conduct marathon hearings," she said.

Under the DOLE rules , the panel has 60 days to complete its investigation.

Within 15 days after the conclusion of the formal investigation, the panel shall submit its report, recommendation and draft decision to the disciplining authority, which has 30 days from receipt of the formal investigation report to issue the decision.

The fact-finding mission was triggered by the allegations of some female OFWs staying at the halfway houses in Middle East that some labor officials have offered repatriation and plane tickets back to the Philippines in exchange for sex.

Among the officials tagged in the scheme were assistant labor attaché in Riyadh Antonio Villafuerte and assistant labor attaché in Amman, Jordan Mario Antonio. Both officials have denied the accusations.