Admin, criminal raps eyed vs execs in OFW sex scandal

MANILA, Philippines - Government probers are eyeing administrative and criminal charges against labor officials accused of sexually molesting distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Three of the women – identified only as Michelle, Annaliza and Angel – have provided more detailed accounts of their molestation allegedly at the hands of assistant labor attaché in Riyadh Antonio Villafuerte.

In a television interview, Villafuerte denied the accusations. He is set to arrive in Manila tonight after being recalled by his superiors to face an investigation.

At the labor department, Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said they are preparing a preliminary investigation into Villafuerte’s case to determine if there is prima facie evidence for the filing of an administrative case against him.

“We will just be awaiting the written explanation of Villafuerte, and with the sworn affidavits of the three alleged victims we can already start with the preliminary hearing,” Baldoz said.

Angel and Annaliza said that while at Bahay Kalinga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Villafuerte told them to do part time job as sex workers to raise money for their return flight to the Philippines. They said they rejected his proposal.

Angel, 28, said her Saudi employer raped her, prompting her to flee and seek refuge at the Philippine embassy.

She said she began working in Riyadh only last May.

After suffering from physical abuse at the hands of her employer, Annaliza, 38, decided to escape last February, barely two months after she was hired.

Michelle, 39, also accused Villafuerte of sexually molesting her.

She claimed that on May 19, she went to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office to follow up her case after escaping from her employer who reportedly refused to honor their contract. She said that while at the POLO office, Villafuerte fondled her and tried to kiss her.

Criminal raps possible

Officials accused of maltreating or sexually abusing distressed Filipina workers taking shelter in Philippine embassies abroad may be criminally charged under Philippine laws, Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday.

Binay, presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ concerns, said the Philippine embassy is considered an extension of the country, thus anyone in its premises is covered by Philippine laws.

The vice president issued the clarification after the three former OFWs came out in the open recently and named Villafuerte as their tormentor.

“If the crime happened outside the embassy, it is under the jurisdiction of the host country. Criminal and administrative charges can still be filed but the process will be done in the country where the crime happened. The government can help the victims pursue the case,” Binay said.

“They can be charged with administrative and criminal charges and we can only process criminal charges if the crime happened inside the embassy,” he said.

He lauded the women for coming out and assured them of protection as well as punishment for the erring officials if they are found guilty.

“Don’t be afraid. Those who perpetrated the crime must be the one to be afraid. Report to us immediately whatever cases of abuse so that we can immediately do something about it,” Binay said.

“You are assured of government’s help in pursuing the case against those who are abusing OFWs,” he said.

Binay said the prompt action of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto del Rosario is proof that the administration is determined to address the issue.

He welcomed Del Rosario’s order to expand the probe to include other foreign posts.

Preliminary probe set

 â€œWe consider the accusations very serious and we’re not condoning any misbehavior,” Baldoz said Tuesday night shortly after arriving from Qatar.

“Villafuerte needs to get copies of the affidavits of the three complainants so he could answer accusations point by point,” she said.

Baldoz said a three-member committee headed by Assistant Labor Secretary Gloria Tango would conduct the preliminary administrative proceedings against Villafuerte.

Baldoz said the committee need not wait for the findings of the investigating team, which is to fly to the Middle East for a two-week mission to interview more workers and gather documents.

“Upon submission of Villafuerte’s written answer, the hearing can proceed immediately. Then based on the results of the hearing and the findings of the investigative panel, the committee can submit the case for resolution,” Baldoz said.

The labor chief said the special investigating committee is expected to come out with findings within 30 days from the submission of evidence.

“Give him (Villafuerte) the opportunity to reply to all the charges and to confront the complainants and also the witnesses so we can establish the truth,” she said.

A public official charged and found guilty of administrative offense faces dismissal from the service.

She said the three Filipina workers who surfaced recently only tagged Villafuerte in the sex scandal.

No one has come forward to implicate acting labor attaché Mario Antonio and POLO employee Blas Marquez, tagged earlier by Akbayan party-list Walden Bello in the exploitation of distressed Filipina workers in Jordan and Kuwait.

With no formal complaint filed against Antonio, Baldoz said she has instructed the investigating panel to prioritize Riyadh in its fact-finding mission.

She also said she hopes the controversy would jumpstart more reforms in the bureaucracy, particularly in foreign offices. 

To address the issue of sexual harassment, Baldoz said she ordered the immediate deployment of additional welfare and labor officials to the Middle East to handle complaints of distressed female workers.

Baldoz said female labor officials would now manage welfare centers and halfway homes for distressed Filipino workers.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also rejected calls from some non-governmental organizations to include representatives of civil society groups in the government panel tasked to investigate the scandal.

“It’s an internal function for the DOLE, but we encourage NGOs to support our investigation by presenting witnesses or information regarding the issue,” Labor Undersecretary Danilo Cruz said.

It was the Blas Ople Policy Center which made the request that DOLE and the Department of Foreign Affairs allow NGOs to sit in the investigative panel.

     Help for 3 victims

Meanwhile, Senator-elect Cynthia Villar gave financial assistance – through the Villar Foundation – to the three Filipina workers.

In a press statement, Villar said she met the victims  in a restaurant in Taguig and personally handed to them the cash assistance. The amount covers their return flight as well as livelihood assistance. Her press statement did not specify the amount.

“This is in line with our livelihood program. They can put up a sari-sari store with the groceries. Now, it is up to them to do their best for their small business to grow,” Villar said.

She said the creation of a department solely dedicated to OFWs would simplify and harmonize efforts at ensuring their welfare.

“We should ensure that our OFWs are always protected since they are our ‘modern day heroes’, and we draw a lifeline from the remittances they send to their families in the country,” Villar pointed out.

Villar’s husband, outgoing Sen. Manuel Villar, promised to closely monitor the cases even if he becomes a private citizen next week.

“I will watch over their cases, and make sure that something will happen. We will not allow any whitewash,” he said. Mayen Jaymalin, Rudy Santos