Senate resumes probe into ‘sex-for-flight’ scandal

Sec. Del Rosario and Sec. Baldoz during Senate Hearing. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Thursday continued its investigation on the “sex-for-flight” scheme involving Philippine labor officials in the Middle East.

Among those present is Jojo Casicas, driver and employee at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Saudi Arabia, who was accused by  28-year-old Grace Victoria  Sales of allegedly  trying to rape her sometime  in March 2012 while  they were left alone at their office  in POLO.

The joint hearing of the Senate blue ribbon and labor committees resumed almost a week after the Department of Labor and Employment filed administrative cases against Saudi Arabia assistant labor attaché Antonio Villafuerte, former Jordan Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) attaché Mario Antonio and labor attaché Adam Musa.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz also recommended the agency’s investigation on Villanueva’s involvement on the “sex-for-flight” scandal.

During the August 15 hearing, senators berated Villafuerte after an overseas Filipino worker narrated how she was treated by the labor official.

The OFW and two others faced Villafuerte who they accused of sexual harassment.