Scandal

Just like that, another scandal is rocking this administration, and at the worst department to boot. A "sex-for-flight" scheme has been exposed by Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello, apparently operating within the Philippine embassies of Kuwait, Syria and Jordan. Distressed OFWs seeking refuge at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office are apparently sexually abused by embassy officials and turned into prostitutes. This, according to an alleged victim and corroborated by an unnamed embassy official, has been going on for a long time. Like a syndicate within the diplomatic walls of our embassies. Needless to say, this is all appalling and horrible, as OFWs already go through a lot from their employers, not to mention absolutely scandalous and embarrassing.

The Department of Foreign Affairs did right by suspending those accused, and instructing them to come home and face the charges. They are still presumed innocent until proven guilty. Which is why it is imperative that those victimized by the "operation" should come out and file the appropriate charges. Otherwise, everyone goes scot-free. Whether they are returned to their overseas posts is something I hope does not happen.

An investigation is underway to get to the bottom of Bello's accusations. The Senate is also interested, even threatening to cut the DFA's budget should the accusations be proven. Indeed, if such an operation exists within embassies - and apparently it is not confined to countries in the Middle East - it should be shut down and those behind it punished for everything the law's got.

I cannot conceive how an official can just demand sex and pimp out a fellow countryman in need. It is inconceivable as it is reprehensible. An investigation, and a speedy one at that, is needed in order to punish the guilty and make our diplomatic corps acceptable to the world. There are reports that some governments were already requesting that the officials involved in the syndicate be expelled from their country. How embarrassing! But all this is for naught if not a single victim surfaces to file the charges against those behind the operation. As it is now, it is still all hearsay. One of those accused points to disgruntled recruitment agencies behind the demolition campaign. A way of getting back at them. Without a victim, their claim is as good as Bello's.

These are the kind of news that just makes one heat up to the core. How officials entrusted with the welfare of our citizens abroad become the very fiends these OFWs do everything to avoid. Whatever investigation is done to prove or dispel these accusations must be done in the quickest way possible, as our reputation in the diplomatic community is at stake. I'm sure we do not want to hear a foreign national calling us additional names, like in a football match.

Sometimes, we deserve to be called names.