DOLE warns public vs. fake POEA certification

“We advise the public to be more prudent and cautious in dealing with persons or entities involved in this reported fraudulent activity,” Bello added. (File photo: PNA)

MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Friday warned the public against falsified “certificate of no pending appealed case” which is being used as a modus of withdrawing escrow deposits of recruitment agencies.

DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III issued the warning after getting letters from at least two overseas recruitment agencies inquiring about the authenticity of a certification allegedly issued by DOLE Legal Service and was purportedly used to withdraw an escrow deposit.

“We are informing the public that a falsified “Certification of No Pending Appealed POEA case” allegedly issued by the Department of Labor and Employment Legal Service has been circulating and is being used by unknown individuals in withdrawing escrow deposits of certain recruitment agencies,” Bello said in a statement.

“We advise the public to be more prudent and cautious in dealing with persons or entities involved in this reported fraudulent activity,” Bello added.

A DOLE-issued certification of “no pending POEA case on appeal” is a requirement to withdraw escrow deposits by recruitment agencies.

A thorough investigation revealed that the said certification was found to be bogus and was never issued by DOLE Legal Servic. The supposed signatory of the document is no longer connected with the labor department.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) mandates that a recruitment agency shall set up an escrow account to cover possible future liabilities arising from claims of overseas contract workers due to employment contract violations.

The release of escrow which is deposited in a POEA-accredited bank is ordered by either the POEA or the National Labor Relations Commission.

Bello is enjoining the public to call 527-3000 local 610 if they had been victimized by the bogus certification or have leads to those responsible for the fake document.