MANILA -- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Friday said all his travels abroad have the approval of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
“All my travels have presidential authority. You all know the job of the DOLE Secretary --to look into the interest and welfare of the OFWs [overseas Filipino workers],” he said in an interview
Bello said he will not be allowed to travel without the permission of the Chief Executive.
Bello made the statement in response to graft charges filed against him for his alleged excessive trips abroad on top of the treason raps.
“Dahil daw kinakausap at nakikipag meeting ako with Jose Maria Sison [This is because I'm allegedly communicating and meeting with Jose Maria Sison], who is an enemy of the state. These are all with the authority of the President. I never go out of the country to talk to them without his authorization. It is only upon the instruction of the president,” Bello said.
“The problem with these people is they are talking without knowing the facts,” Bello added.
On Wednesday, radio commentator Adolfo Paglinawan filed graft and corruption and malfeasance charges against Bello.
He alleged that the DOLE Secretary has made 40 official travels abroad from Jan. 17, 2017 to Oct. 30, 2019, costing the government at least PHP4 million.
A treason charge was also filed against Bello in connection with his “secret trip” to the Netherlands to meet with Sison, the Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman, in July 2018. (PNA)
