3 labor execs face charges over sex-for-flight

MANILA, Philippines - Three labor officials accused of engaging distressed Filipinas in the Middle East in a sex-for-flight scheme will face administrative charges.

In a statement, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said labor attaché in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Adam Musa will be charged with gross negligence, acting labor attaché in Jordan Mario Antonio with grave misconduct, and assistant labor attaché Antonio Villafuerte with simple negligence.

“On the basis of the DOLE investigating panel’s findings of probable cause, I have approved the recommendation to file administrative charges,” she said.

Nicon Fameronag, DOLE-labor communication office director, said a fact-finding committee found Antonio and Musa liable for not performing their functions as labor officers.         

“Grave misconduct and gross negligence were filed because the two officials flagrantly and willfully violated civil service rules by deliberately not performing their jobs well,” he said.

Simple negligence was recommended against Villafuerte because he did not care for overseas Filipino workers while assigned in Riyadh as assistant labor attaché, Fameronag said.

Baldoz said two special panels have been created to conduct marathon hearings and submit their findings and recommendations on the administrative charges against Antonio and Musa within 15 days.

The DOLE Legal Service  will hear the administrative complaint against Villafuerte and submit its findings and recommendation to her within 75 days, she added.

Baldoz said she has referred the sexual harassment complaint against Villafuerte to the DOLE’s Committee on Decorum and Investigation for preliminary investigation.

Within five days after receiving the complaint and if evidence warrants, it will recommend the filing of charges against Villafuerte, she added.

Baldoz said the fact-finding team found no evidence to prove the allegations that labor officials in the Middle East were engaged in sex-for-flight activities.

“The team did not find the involvement of any of DOLE organic personnel in any sex for fly or sex for hire activities,” she said.