Silvestre Bello says detractors want him out of DOLE

MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello won’t take the series of attacks against him sitting down anymore.

At a press conference yesterday, Bello said he has identified his detractors and is considering to take legal action.

Bello said a group of individuals, from within the Department of Labor and Employment as well as outside, want him out so they could take over the DOLE.

The labor chief declined to identify the individuals, but said he has the evidence against them.

“If there is a snake in paradise, there is also a cobra in DOLE,” Bello said.

He said one of his detractors wants to become the next labor secretary while another “probably wants to prevent me from becoming the next ombudsman.”

He noted that the accusations against him came at a time when the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is set to decide on who will become the next ombudsman, a position he is applying for.

According to Bello, the malicious attacks against him started early this year when the DOLE was preparing for the launch of the overseas Filipino workers identification card program.

“Some groups and individuals interested in the project must have felt that getting rid of me was the only way they can get the project. When they failed they tried to take advantage of my alleged failure to assist a certain OFW,” Bello said.

“I am not about to dignify the malicious attacks against me, but the apparent orchestrated campaign to vilify my name and that of the institution I represent necessitated that I confront the issues head on,” he added.

Bello maintained that the accusations that he was asking fees for the issuance of OFW ID and that he accepts money from recruitment agencies as well his alleged refusal to help an OFW bring home her child were all lies.

“We only have facts to dispute all those allegations,” Bello said as he dared all his detractors to file charges against him before the court.

Labor officials joined the press conference to dispute the accusations against Bello.