DOLE officials back Bello, reject corruption allegations

“We, the undersigned Senior Officials of the Department of Labor and Employment and its Bureau and Attached Agencies, pledge our wholehearted and unwavering support to the Honorable Secretary Silvestre Bello III,”. (Photo: Ilagan City, Isabela/Facebook)

MANILA — Senior officials and employees of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) showed their support for Secretary Silvestre Bello III amid corruption allegations hurled against him.

In a five-page Manifesto of Support signed on Monday, the officials – headed by Undersecretaries Claro Arellano, Ciriaco Lagunzad, Joel Maglunsod and Renato Ebarle – together with officials from DOLE attached agencies have pledged their support to the beleaguered DOLE head.

“We, the undersigned Senior Officials of the Department of Labor and Employment and its Bureau and Attached Agencies, pledge our wholehearted and unwavering support to the Honorable Secretary Silvestre Bello III,” they said.

“We have faith in his commitment to serve the public pursuant to the mandate of the Department. We lend full and credence in his leadership and integrity despite malicious imputations against his person and honor,” the statement added.

At the same time, they noted that they observed how Bello would like to realize the programs and policies of the government, particularly in helping Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and the underprivileged in the country.

“We are (witnesses) to his firm resolve to implement the programs and policies of President Rodrigo R. Duterte in uplifting the lives of our workers, especially the OFWs and the underprivileged in our country,” they said.

“We express this sentiment freely and voluntarily without any mental reservation,” the statement added.

The remarks of DOLE officials and employees came after more than 100 officials and members of recruitment agencies in the Philippines have expressed support for Bello.

“We, the Officers and Members of various licensed recruitment and manpower agencies and recruitment industry associations in the country hereby state and declare: That, we believe in the integrity and leadership of Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello; That, we have known Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello II as an approachable person who is ready to help, if request is meritorious,” part of their statement said.

Bello is facing a complaint before the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission for allegedly accepting gifts and demanding bribes.