DOJ lifts hold departure order vs Samsung execs

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has lifted the hold departure order (HDO) of two Korean executives of Samsung Electronics Philippines Corp. (Sepco) because they are not flight risks.

Kyung Chull Park and Beom Hee Lee, Sepco president and chief financial officer, respectively, were placed on the hold departure list following a complaint filed by Temps & Staffers Inc., represented by Vivian Anastacio-Guerrero.

In a decision dated Dec. 23, the DOJ granted the request as it evaluated the complaint, especially after the Sepco president showed good faith by complying with the Philippine legal system.

Previously, the DOJ granted Park an allow departure order (ADO) to travel to South Korea from Dec. 12 to 19 to attend the Samsung Electronics’ Global Business Conference in Seoul participated in by all Samsung business leaders from different Samsung markets all over the world. 

Park flew back to Manila on Dec. 19. The following day, he immediately reported to both the DOJ and the Bureau of Immigration in compliance with the ADO.

He is scheduled to leave for Las Vegas, USA this January to attend the 2011 International CES, one of the world’s largest consumer electronics shows.

Park’s family maintains residence in the Philippines.

However, Sepco is still awaiting the DOJ’s decision to lift the watch list order (WLO) issued against its 11 Filipino officers who were also named in the complaint.

By lifting the WLO, the DOJ will uphold the Samsung officers’ constitutional right to travel. As stated in Article 25 of the Constitution, “No Filipino who is in full enjoyment of his political and civil rights shall be impeded in his right to travel freely abroad or in his right to transfer his residence or possessions to another country, except as to his obligations to contribute to military service or the maintenance of public taxes.”

Those still on the watch list are Glenn Glinoga, lawyer Gabriel Matriano, Benjamin Jimenez, Sherilyn Tan, Louie Liston, Angela Salvallon, Gerard Duremdes, Ricky de Guzman, Noel Dajao, Elaine Matito, and Jerick Paloma.

In a statement, Samsung Electronics said it is committed to act as a responsible corporate citizen in the Philippines.

It said it conducts its operations in accordance with international labor standards and maintains a rigorous compliance program.