Disgruntled employees deny POEA head's claim

MANILA, Philippines – Some employees and officials of the Philippine Overseas and Employment Administration (POE) who opposed the organizational restructuring implemented by POEA chief Jennifer Manalili have denied resisting the changes made at the agency.

"We vehemently deny the claim of Administrator Jennifer Manalili that the POEA community is against the restructuring because we are against changes at the office," the disgruntled POEA personnel said in a statement.

"We are against it because it was not just a simple revamp but a total restructuring of the POEA organization," they added.

The group also urged Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz to probe and file appropriate charges against alleged unscrupulous POEA officials and personnel who Manalili mentioned.

"We are not against measures to fight graft and corruption. We are against measures to monopolize corruption. The restructuring was done to control vital operations in the POEA — possibly to further ulterior motives. It was secretly crafted at the office of the administrator with only a favored few being consulted and whose subservience. is rewarded with juicy positions," the group added.

They reiterated their call on President Aquino and Baldoz to recall the Special Order 387 issued by Manalili regarding the restructuring of the POEA. - By Dennis Carcamo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)