3 officials to be charged administratively

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Administrative charges will be filed against three labor officials for involvement in sexual harassment perpetrated against distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East, a senior government official said today.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said that the charges were based on the conclusion of investigation by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Fact Finding Team.

The three officials who would be charged administratively include Labor Attache Adam Musa for gross negligence, former Jordan officer-in-charge Labor Attache Mario Antonio for grave misconduct, and Saudi Arabia Assistant Labor Attache Antonio Villafuerte for simple negligence.

Depending on the gravity of the offense, and the application of mitigating and aggravating circumstances, the penalties range from suspension to dismissal from the service, she added.

The DOLE initiated an investigation following complaints by some female distressed OFWs that they became victims of sexual exploitation by some government personnel deployed abroad.