Duterte still trusts Bello amid corruption allegations — Palace

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III still has the trust and confidence of President Rodrigo Duterte despite corruption allegations against him, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

In a text message to reporters, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Bello “still has the trust and confidence of the President.”

Bello, along with dismissed Labor Undersecretary Dominador Say, is facing a complaint at the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) as the two officials allegedly extorted money from recruitment agencies.

Monalie Dizon, secretary-general of the Samahang Pagbabago National Movement for Change, filed the complaint against Bello and Say last week for allegedly extorting P6.8 million from a recruitment agency.

Bello has denied the allegations in media interviews.

Asked to comment on the allegations, Roque said Malacañang is letting the PACC probe the accusations against the two officials.

“That’s up to them (PACC),” Roque said.   /vvp