By Leslie Ann Aquino
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Monday denied the allegation that he is engaged in corrupt activities.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretay Silvestre Bello III (Keith Bacongco/MANILA BULLETIN)
The labor chief even expressed willingness to undergo a lie detector test.
"Kung gusto niya yung Alie na iyan we could go to lie detector test. Sabay kami," Bello told DZBB.
He was referring to Alie Dizon, the secretary general of the Kilusang Pagbabago National Movement for Change, the group that accused him of corruption.
Bello was accused of refusing to help an OFW, who left her five-month-old baby in Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He was also accused of asking for P1.5 million from the recruitment agency of the OFW that sought for DOLE’s help.
"Basta malinis ang ating konsensiya. Sabi ko nga sa kanila kung meron silang makuha na empleyado sa Department of Labor or kaya mga agencies under the Department of Labor or kaya mga agencies sa mga recruitment, puwede sila magsabi na humingi ako or tumanggap ako ng pera, I am willing to resign immediately," said Bello.
"I challenge anybody to come out," he added.
According to Bello, the OFW came to him not to seek help for her child but to “follow up” a case of her recruitment agency.
"yung kaso there is no bearing doon sa baby. Sabi ko doon sa babaeng nagfofollowup huwag ka magfofollowup ng kaso. Bawal iyan sa department kako," he said.