DOLE to form task force for complaints vs. execs, employees

“The task force is ready to collate information and data of the complaint the lodged against government officials or employees and also other organizations that are involved in the irregularities,” Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said in a virtual presser. (File photo by Ramon FVelasquez/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday said it would create a task force that would accept and look into complaints against officials and employees of the agency.

“The task force is ready to collate information and data of the complaint the lodged against government officials or employees and also other organizations that are involved in the irregularities,” Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said in a virtual presser.

This is in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order for a government-wide probe on corruption allegations.

Benavidez said Secretary Silvestre Bello will issue an order creating the group.

“It will be headed by two undersecretaries and representatives from the attached agencies of the Department. They are POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration), OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration), and NLRC (National Labor Relations Commission). I will reiterate, the purpose of the task force is to help cleanse the rank of the department against graft and corruption,” he added.

The group will be created to help the Department of Justice (DOJ), which was tasked by Duterte as the lead agency to investigate all government offices against irregularities.

“One of the reasons why there is graft or corruption is the long process. That is red tape. The Secretary has directed his undersecretaries to review the process of services of the Department to make it faster,” he said.

On Tuesday, Duterte ordered the DOJ to investigate and file charges against those involved in corruption in all government agencies.