In a radio interview, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Friday defended his trips abroad, saying all of them were related to his duties as head of DOLE and chairman of the government peace panel.
“All of my travels [abroad] have presidential authority. I could not go without his authority,” Bello said.
He explained all of his overseas travels were related to the crafting of a new bilateral labor agreement for overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and his task of negotiating a peace agreement with the National Democratic Front.
Bello issued the clarification in response to the case filed before the Ombudsman by a radio commentator earlier this month, who claimed his 40 trips abroad from January 2017 to October 2019 are “excessive.”
The complainant further alleged Bello also allowed the “excessive” travel of other labor officials.
Bello was also charged with treason for meeting with NDF head Joma Sison.
Bello called the new cases lodged against him “mere baseless allegations.”
“The problem with these people is they are talking without knowing the facts,” Bello said.
Last year, a recruiter also filed a case against Bello for alleged extortion and for neglecting to assist a distressed OFW.