Ombudsman orders 3 DOLE executives to answer abuse charges

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman is ordering ranking officials of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to answer graft and abuse of authority charges filed against them by a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent over a traffic incident.

In an order signed by Assistant Ombudsman Aleu Amante, Career Executive Service Board executive director Ma. Anthonette Velasco-Allones, assistant secretary Ma. Joji Aragon, and administrative aide Eric Villasotes were directed to file their counter-affidavits to a complaint filed by NBI agent Noel Bocaling.

The charges stemmed from an incident on April 2010 – the height of the election campaign season – wherein an Isuzu Crosswind sideswiped a car Bocaling was driving along Lacson street in Sampaloc, Manila. When he chased them, he said Villasotes met him with a drawn .45 caliber pistol.

He said he properly introduced himself to the respondents and asked if their driver “has the authority to carry a firearm.” He said the respondents told him “they have the permission of no less than the President of the Republic to have security personnel and everything that goes with it.”

The complainant said he learned that “the respondents did not apply for nor were granted a gun ban exemption” for the May 10 elections.