Labor Secretary Bello faces graft raps over ‘excessive’ trips abroad
Credit to Author: DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ| Date: Wed, 06 Nov 2019 06:26:36 +0000
GRAFT charges were filed against Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd before the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday for his allegedly “excessive” trips abroad.
Radio commentator Adolfo Paglinawan said he filed a complaint against Bello for “his abuse of power in making 40 official travel abroad.”
He noted that former Cabinet members such as Terry Ridon and Marcial Quirico Amaro have been fired for making 7 and 24 trips abroad.
“So what makes Bello so exceptional, a globetrotter that he could disregard the presidential guidelines?” Paglinawan said in a press conference after filing the complaint.
Aside from Bello, Labor officials Ria Corazon Lano, and Noel Binag were also cited as respondents for making 12 and 8 trips, respectively.
The complaint contains 10 criminal charges — eight for graft and one each for usurpation of authority and treason.