By Leslie Ann Aquino
Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III was saddened by the resignation of Undersecretary Dominador Say.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretay Silvestre Bello III. (Keith Bacongco / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
"I feel sad. He is a very competent labor lawyer," he said in a press briefing Thursday.
But, he said he has yet to see Say's resignation.
"I have yet to see his courtesy resignation. I think it was given to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea," he said.
When asked regarding his reaction to the statement of Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque that Say would have been sacked if he didnt resign over corruption allegations, Bello said: I have to confirm that.
In a separate interview, the labor chief believes Say is not capable of doing such a thing.
"I don't think he is capble of doing that. He is a lawyer, a practicing lawyer," said Bello.
"If you are a lawyer will you do that? I don't believe it," he added.
On Tuesday, Say said he decided to quit his post to spare Bello III from the perception that the department is pro-management.
Say's resignation comes amid the continued push by the workers sector for the signing of the Executive Order (EO) on contractualization.
"To spare him from the unwanted attention and unwarranted imputations of partiality. So, I said I have to step out to give you (Bello) an elbow room to put somebody who can better do the job," Say said recalling the resignation letter he submitted to the labor chief in March.