Graft raps filed against DOLE hearing officer

CEBU, Philippines - The president of the Spa and Wellness Association of Cebu has filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas against a Department of Labor and Employment hearing officer for allegedly extorting money from him.

Johnie Lim, 53, filed a complaint for anti-graft and corrupt practices act against Wilfredo Wagas, a Senior Labor Employment Officer of DOLE.

Lim, owner of Body & Sole Spa, said the family of Wagas approached him asking him not to continue filing the case but he refused.

Lim said during the last week of February 2011, he received a notice of hearing from DOLE-7 scheduled on March 4 and 8, 2011 at 1 p.m. On March 8, he personally went to the DOLE office and approached Wagas.

Wagas showed him documents stating the alleged findings on Lim’s violations of labor laws. He then advised Lim to submit his documentary evidence to controvert their findings.

Wagas likewise showed him the computations of the alleged liabilities to Lim’s employees.

On March 23, 2011 Lim received another “notice of hearing” scheduled on April 1, 2011 at 8:30 a.m.

Lim said he appeared before the DOLE together with four employees as one was on leave. Wagas interviewed the four employees who manifested that they will not to file a case against Lim.

Wagas said the case will be easy since his employees refused to file a case against him.

Lim said Wagas told him “ang uban kompaniya nga amo natabangan muhatag og pahalipay, naa pay muhatag og P500, maayo pay wa nalang,”

On April 18, 2011 Lim failed to contact Wagas as promised. But later Wagas sent a message to him saying “maghimo na lang ko og draft resolution sa Body and Sole kay wa man nimo i-submit ang alleged docs. You promised me last Friday.”

Lim said he replied to Wagas saying they will meet.

“After the dinner, Mr. Wagas showed to me the total computations of my liabilities allegedly to my workers in his penmanship that amounted to P602,482.33,” the complaint-affidavit read.

However, Wagas said “it’s okay as long as sakto ang pahalipay.”

Lim then gave Wagas P5,000. But a few days later Wagas alleged sent him a message telling him it was not enough.

On May 2, 2011 Lim and Wagas meet in a mall near Fuente Osmeña around 6 p.m. wherein Wagas asked for more money. Lim said he gave P5,000 more but Wagas still asked for more forcing him to give another P2,000.

Lim said he later felt guilty at what he did and reported the matter to DTI Provincial Director Nelia Navarro who reported it DOLE-7 Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga who asked Lim if he was willing to cooperate to entrap Wagas.

Last Thursday Wagas was arrested by the police operatives headed by Chief Insp. George Ylanan in an entrapment operation.

Another businesswoman complained against Wagas before the police yesterday. She told City Intelligence Branch chief Romeo Santander and the media that Wagas also extorted money from her.

“Ingon dayon siya na I can help you, only that I can’t help you here. Let’s go outside. Wa ko nakigkita uy. Ako gyud gi-solve ang problema within that day. Nakita nako na puro siya pang-harass sa akong empleyado, iyang i-instigate para magka-sabong mi sa akong mga empleyado, so that mo-seek na lang ko sa iyang tabang” she said, adding that her employers eventually cooperated with her.

Santander called on other potential victims of the suspect to also come out in the open and file a case against the suspect.

Meanwhile, Sarcauga said he was so ashamed when he learned of the arrest of Wagas.

Sarcauga said Wagas violated their office guidelines not to meet outside their office with any person or persons who are parties of cases that are being handled by them to avoid any doubts.

“We are not remiss on our job because I reminded my personnel every Monday morning to refrain from being involved in illegal activities. I told them stay in the office, ari estoryahe ang kaso sa opisina dili kay sa gawas,” Sarcauga said.

Sarcauga advised his personnel to be satisfied with what they are receiving from the government and to live in a simple life.

“Kon ang atong trabaho butangan gani nato og motibo, maguba g’yud ang atong kaugmaon. Let us not be too ambitious,” Sarcauga added.

According to Sarcauga, Wagas who is already 53 years old, had already work for more than 30 years in the government and is already receiving more than P31,000 a month.

Sarcauga had sent his supervising labor employment officer to Cebu City Police Office to find out of what really happened so he can immediately inform the DOLE central office in Manila about the arrest of Wagas.

He said aside from the criminal case that the police have filed against Wagas yesterday, the latter will also face a separate administrative case for violating office guidelines. (FREEMAN)