DMW panel questions Mama-o’s ‘irregular’ IRR

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers transition committee is asking President Duterte to nullify what it described as an “irregular” set of implementing rules and regulations (IRR) issued by DMW Secretary Abdulla Mama-o.

In a two-page letter dated April 4, the committee asked Duterte to disapprove the IRR signed by Mama-o for being “violative” of the provisions of Republic Act 11641 creating the DMW.

“The valid constitution of the DMW will be prevented without effective implementing rules and regulations,” the committee said.

The letter was signed by the transition committee members, who represent agencies involved in the overseas employment sector, led by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration chief Bernard Olalia.

RA 11641 mandates the committee to formulate the department’s IRR within 60 days from the effectivity of the law in February.

The committee approved the IRR on March 31 after a series of meetings and deliberations attended by all members.

Upon Mama-o’s appointment as secretary on March 3, the committee said he was invited to attend the series of meetings and deliberations but he did not attend, despite due notice.

On April 4, Mama-o presented to the public a different version of the IRR of the DMW – one that he approved and signed, the committee said.

“The IRR should not be allowed to be published to prevent any derogation of the spirit and intent of the law,” the members of the committee said.

They advised Duterte that Mama-o’s IRR “is not the same IRR that was the product of the transition committee as a collegial body as mandated by RA 11641.”

Members of the committee said they had no participation in the crafting of the IRR presented by the Mama-o.