PACC Chairman Dante Jimenez. INQUIRER.net file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III knows about the investigation of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) against him, its chairman, Dante Jimenez, said on Tuesday.
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“Well, I don’t know, siyempre depensa niya ‘yon, pero alam na niya ‘yan eh, noon pa yan eh, last year pa yan, 2018,” Jimenez said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer.
His statement came after Bello claimed that he did not formally receive a copy of any complaint against him and only learned of PACC’s investigation in news reports.
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“Wala naman akong natatanggap na complaint, wala akong natatanggap na notice mula sa PACC, sasagutin ko ‘yung reklamo e hindi ko nga alam, nalaman ko lang sa diyaryo na may reklamo laban sa akin,” Bello said in an earlier interview with DZMM.
Jimenez noted that the investigation against Bello stemmed from a previous issue involving the latter’s former undersecretary.
“Natatandaan mo ‘yung pumutok yung sa undersecretary niya si Say?” Jimenez said pertaining to Dominador Say, who resigned in April 2018 amid corruption allegations.
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“Remember through his (Bello) [department order] as secretary of labor, nilipat niya yung powers ng POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) sa kanyang opisina, which is in violation na kaagad ng batas, because ang POEA was created by law. Biro mo ang ginawa niya nilipat niya under sa..direct sa kanya, kaya ‘yung mga undersecretary niya, yan katulad ni Say, eh nakakuha ng butas,” Jimenez said.
“Eh, ano ang involvement niya don? Actually, command responsibility yon. Tauhan mo yan.” he added. /jpv