MANILA, Aug. 2 — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has alerted all firms operating in Central Luzon against fake labor inspectors who are extorting money in exchange for their establishments to be exempted from assessment and inspection.
With this, the DOLE Regional Office No. 3 has filed a case against Jorge Domasig Dimayuga who was arrested in an entrapment operation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Meycauayan, Bulacan.
He was charged with robbery extortion and usurpation of authority, for posing as a Labor Laws Compliance Officer (LLCO).
“We would like to inform our employers and the general public that Mr. Jorge Domasig Dimayuga, 47 years old, married and unemployed, and a resident of 3060 San Agustin Village, Mapulang Lupa, Valenzuela City, is not in any capacity connected with the DOLE Regional Office No. 3 and its seven Field Offices,” DOLE Regional Director Atty. Ana Dione said in a statement.
She added, “Dimayuga is not authorized to hold Joint Assessments (JAs) or any type of regulatory functions mandated by this office. Please do not engage with this person.”
The case stemmed after the DOLE Bulacan Field Office received a call early this month from Ben-Ben Trading/Classic Particles Manufacturing Ltd. Co. — a firm operating in Meycauayan, Bulacan – to verify if a certain ‘Jorge Dimayuga’ was employed with the DOLE.
Dione added the poseur was also asking money from the company in exchange for exempting the company from being subjected to a DOLE joint assessment or inspection.
DOLE Assistant Regional Director Geraldine Panlilio also joined in filing charges against Dimayuga for falsifying her signature in the said “Notice of Assessment.”
The evidences against the suspect presented to the Prosecutor’s Office include the marked money and falsified identification cards and documents.
On the other hand, the DOLE official has alerted all 56 Labor Laws Compliance Officers in an emergency meeting to remind them of their oath and duties and to ensure that similar misdeeds will never happen again.
“It is unfortunate that some elements of society, whether individuals or groups, would use the DOLE or any other government agency, for their own gain at the expense of others. I appeal to our LLCOs to be reminded of your oath as civil servants and remain committed, in serving our people by implementing our Labor Laws Compliance System the right way in pursuit of the promotion of social justice,” Dione said.
The public is encouraged to report any ‘bogus’ inspectors to the DOLE Central Luzon hotline numbers at 0925-8150214 and (045) 455-1619 and e-mail at dolero3@gmail.com.
Likewise, the people are asked to report to DOLE Hotline 1349 to alert all other DOLE regional and field offices in case similar incidents may arise in other areas in the country.