Another OFW disputes 'sex-for-flight' testimony vs Villafuerte

MANILA, Philippines - A housekeeper in Saudi Arabia questioned one of the sworn accusations against Riyadh assistant labor attaché Antonio "Tony" Villafuerte, who has been tagged in the "sex-for-flight" scheme in the Middle East.

The overseas Filipino worker identified as "Irene" claimed that "Michelle," among the three who testified against Villafuerte, was on a "paid mission" to wreck the official's credibility.

Related story: Tagged in sex-for-flight scheme: Who is Antonio Villafuerte?

"Ngayon ko lang naisip na 'yun pala, may binabalak siya," Irene said in a radio interview, claiming that someone paid Michelle to expose Villafuerte.

Irene added that she lived with Michelle, also a housekeeper and was first to speak with the media about her ordeal, in the halfway house last April that served as overseas workers' temporary residents in Riyadh as they await repatriation.

"Alam kong siya ang naninira kasi sa pagkatao niya, sa background niya at sa mga pinapakita niyang kilos rito, alam kong hindi magagawa ni Sir Tony 'yun," Irene said.

Michelle claimed that Villafuerte asked her to do sexual favors for a certain Egyptian man in exchange for return tickets to the Philippines. While Villafuerte also made sexual advances on her, Michelle alleged that the Egyptian showed pity and instead helped her to have the flight passes.

Irene, however, said that she saw the Egyptian several times with Michelle and claimed that the two are a couple.

"Dahil pinupuntahan niya (yung Egyptian) sa POLO-OWWA (Philippine Overseas Labor Office) ... Yun ba ang tumulong lang?" Irene said.

In a separate radio interview, Michelle denied Irene's allegations.

She said that she was wondering why Irene would defend Villafuerte. She said that a lot of people know that Irene had a grudge against the labor official.

"Maraming saksi kung gaano siya kagalit kay Villafuerte, dati pa po," Michelle said.