Another exec in sex-for-flight scheme suspended

MANILA, Philippines - Another high-ranking official linked to the alleged sex-for-flight scam targeting overseas Filipino workers has been suspended, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said yesterday.

She said she ordered the immediate suspension of former Riyadh, Saudi Arabia labor attaché Adam Musa for “the less grave offense” of simple neglect of duty for one month and one day.

The suspension order is effective immediately unless Musa files a motion for reconsideration before her office within 15 days upon receiving a copy of the decision, Baldoz said.

Last month, Baldoz ordered the suspension of former Jordan labor attaché Mario Antonio, who was found guilty of watching pornographic materials using his office laptop.

Antonio, Musa and former Riyadh assistant labor attaché Antonio Villafuerte were accused of being involved in the scheme, in which Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) personnel compel distressed OFWs to have sex in order to be repatriated.

The special team tasked to investigate the allegations, however, failed to find evidence to prove the existence of  the sex-for-flight scheme. 

Baldoz said she will come out later with the decision on the complaint against Villafuerte.

Lapse in judgment

Baldoz said Musa was charged with gross neglect of duty but it was lowered to the less grave offense of simple neglect due to lack of substantial evidence.

“It cannot be said that there is intentional and deliberate omission on respondent’s part to act on the complaint. He clearly exerted effort,” she said.

An OFW earlier accused Musa of ignoring her complaint of attempted rape against his driver, identified as Jose Casicas. The complainant eventually agreed to settle the complaint, but later testified against Musa in a Senate inquiry on the alleged existence of the sex-for-flight scheme.

Baldoz said Musa committed a lapse in judgment as he failed to pursue even just a simple inquiry into the complaint.