Isabela-based OFWs back Bello, slam his accusers

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. (File photo from GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

CITY OF ILAGAN, ISABELA – Migrant workers from Isabela expressed their support for Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III in a manifesto issued here on Friday (July 27). The workers blasted the people who accused him of graft.

Bello, who was applying for the post of Ombudsman, was subsequently dropped from the list of nominees endorsed by the Judicial and Bar Council because of the complaints filed with the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).

Describing Bello as a driven leader “with the traits of integrity, honesty, probity, transparency and independence,” the manifesto signed by several organizations of overseas Filipino workers asserted that Bello “has been batting for the promotion of employment and human resource development; ensuring workers’ protection and welfare; and promotion of a sound, stable, and dynamic industrial peace.”

The groups said Bello has made sure that the Department of Labor and Employment would “strictly and equitably implement the law on security of tenure and will use the full extent of its regulatory and enforcement power to stop or prevent practices that circumvent it, especially practices like labor-only contracting.”

Bello also brought “more focus and accessibility in workers’ protection and welfare programs,” said Edgar Pambid, chairperson and founder of the OFW Bagong Bayani Association, Inc. based in San Mateo town, who signed the manifesto.

The groups said Bello had been falsely accused of anomalies.

The complaints were filed by Amanda Lalic-Araneta, president of the MMMC Recruitment Services, Inc., and Monalie Dizon of the Kilusang Pagbabago National Movement for Change.

Araneta claimed Bello demanded money in exchange for approving her company’s license and had received gifts. Bello denied these allegations.

“[The graft complaints] did not have an iota of evidence to pin down Bello,” said Edna Duran, president of the Santiago City OFW Federation.