2 labor arbiters, pal collared for extortion

Two labor arbiters of the Department of Labor and Employment and an alleged labor group leader were arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation for allegedly extorting P500,000 from the owner of a strike-stricken car sales shop in Pasay City.

Those arrested were identified as labor arbiters Wilfredo Santos, 58, of Juana, Binan, laguna; and Darrow Odsey, of 93 Holy Ghost Extension, Baguio City; and alleged labor leader Jaime Babon, 47, who claims to be the executive vice president of the Lakas Mangagawa Pilipinas based in Malabon, Metro Manila.

According to an investigation conducted by the NBI’s Intelligence Special Operations Division, employees of the Benison Motors Corp. staged a strike last month without filing the proper notice.

The NBI said the case was assigned to Santos for arbitration. According to Grace Yao, owner of the Benison Motors Corp., Santos allegedly contacted her through telephone and allegedly demanded P500,000 in exchange for a favorable resolution of the labor row.

Yao said that in exchange for the cash, Babon, who represented the striking employees, also gave an assurance that the strike will be terminated upon receipt of the cash.

According to Yao, she managed to reduce the amount demanded to P200,000 and agreed to give the money to Babon at a restaurant in Malate, Manila. Yao then sought the help of the NBI that set-up an entrapment operation.