Three officials of the Department of Labor and Employment official snubbed the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission’s invitation to testify in connection with the alleged extortion cases filed by two recruitment agency owners.
The PACC is now investigating the extortion charges filed by Amanda Araneta and Monalie Dizon against DoLE Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, former Undersecretary Dominador Say, and Director Jesus Cruz of the DoLE’s International Labor Affairs Bureau.
Former labor undersecretary Nicon Fameronag said that Atty. Philip A. Paredes, Director of the DoLE Legal Service, Warren M. Miclat, Director of the DoLE Financial and Management Service, and Maria Victoria Marquez of the DoLE’s Cash Division have refused to comply with the subpoenas issued to them by the President’s anti-corruption watchdog.
The three have been directed to appear before the PACC but have refused, Fameronag said in a statement.
Fameronag, President of Lilac Foundation, said that Secretary Bello III, as DoLE chief, is the person responsible for the custody of agency’s documents and other official records and should, therefore, be the one to have been subpoenaed as a matter of courtesy and recognition.
They also said they could not honor the subpoenas because the documents being asked by the PACC do not exist and that in order for them to submit such documents, the PACC should first furnish them copies of the complaints so they would “know exactly what documents are material to the said complaint.”
Some of the documents being subpoenaed by the PACC are remanded/reversed cases decided by the DOLE Secretary and/or the undersecretary, a disbursement voucher/check for ₱ 5 million, and travel documents of Bello, Cruz, and ILAB Staff Jessa David.
“By refusing to comply with the subpoenas, these officials face the risk of possible administrative action and a criminal offense for obstruction of justice under Executive Order no. 43. S. 2017,” Fameronag added.