Press Release
September 29, 2013

JINGGOY WELCOMES FILING OF CASES AGAINST ERRING LABOR OFFICIAL; VOWS TO PURSUE INVESTIGATION ON SEX-FOR-FLIGHT SCHEME

I welcome the recommendation of the National Bureau of Investigation to file criminal charges against an erring labor official allegedly involved in the molestation and sexual abuses of distressed overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East in his custody.

I also call on the NBI to look into the other serious allegations of involvement of individuals, specially government officials, into the sex-for-flight modus which preys on the runaway OFWs, particularly female wards, into prostitution and sexual favors in exchange for their repatriation.

As the Chairman of the Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, I would push for the continuation and logical conclusion of the Senate inquiry on the sex-for-flight racket which victimized OFWs. I would see to it that the Labor Committee together with the Blue Ribbon Committee, will unmask and seek punishment of embassy and labor officials involved in the said scheme, and institutionalize measures to further protect our overseas Filipino workers.

During the third joint public hearing last August 29, I moved to subpoena DSWD Assistant Secretary Lila Shahani, the daughter of former Senator Leticia Ramos Shahani, as I received reports that she has information regarding the large-scale human trafficking, sexual abuse and physical abuse committed by some officials of the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs, including ambassadors, consuls, and head of Assistance to Nationals.

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