CH mulls revoking recruiter ’s permit

The Cebu City government will be studying the possibility of revoking the license of a recruitment agency that reportedly continues to recruit workers for jobs abroad despite a certification from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration that it is not authorized to do so.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña has directed Councilor Edgardo Labella, chairman of the City Council committee on laws, to look into this possibility after 10 persons trooped to City Hall yesterday and reported that Genesis Worldwide Hospitability Incorporated still continues to conduct recruitment.

Three persons who allegedly worked for the agency– Merline Alima, Antonette Varron and Rudy Camo – were arrested during an entrapment operation conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group last July 24.

Aside from the three, the CIDG had also filed charges for alleged violation of the Migrant Workers Act against Danilo Valmoria, Peter Paul Valmoria, John Eric Valmoria and Romelito Mantuhac, the ones who managed the recruitment agency.

The first batch of complainants included Herchel Strackman, Grace Cortez, Veronica Ceniza, Jaime Romero, Ruel Cano, Calvin Pepito and Cyndie Pepito.

A second group composed Rosalino Ilagan, Romelyn Urongan, Susan Ibale, Ma. Lourdes Cacanog, Mary Joy Balentong, Jeraldine Pepito, Eleanor Quijano, Baby Barsagas, Inie Miñoza and Gasbamel Banin also filed a similar complainant thereafter.

The complaints alleged the agency demanded money ranging from P150,000 to P200,000 from each one of them in exchange for jobs in London, however, their travel papers were rejected by the embassy of the United Kingdom. – Rene U. Borromeo/JMO