Stop criticizing your boss, Soriano told

President Arroyo warned Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Wilhelm Soriano yesterday that she would fire him if he continues to criticize Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas.

Arroyo issued the stern warning after she was asked to comment on Soriano’s reported criticisms of Sto. Tomas’ alleged inaction on the plight of Filipino workers in Israel.

"Sto. Tomas is the boss. Tell Soriano to stop criticizing her if he wants to keep his job," the President said.

She asked presidential consultant Dodie Limcaoco to relay her message to Soriano, indicating she would not tolerate the spectacle of an underling publicly criticizing a Cabinet member.

The OWWA is an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment. Sto. Tomas chairs the OWWA board.

Soriano, who also held the top OWWA post during the Ramos administration, and Sto. Tomas recently had a run-in over DOLE’s investigation into the alleged misuse of millions of pesos of OWWA funds.

Soriano, in a statement, criticized Sto. Tomas and Labor Undersecretary Manuel Imson for allegedly deferring action on OWWA’s request to advance P12 million to replenish the emergency repatriation fund.

The inaction, he said, will prevent OWWA from helping 431 runaways and stranded Filipino workers in eight countries in Asia and the Middle East.