DAVAO CITY – A militant labor group is urging the Office of the Ombudsman to file charges against Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and Interior and Local Govrnment Secretary Mar Roxas over the tragedy of the slipper factory in Valenzuela City.
Kilusang Mayo Uno chairperson Elmer Labog said they are challenging Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales to “file charges against top DOLE, DILG officials over Kentex factory fire.”
Carpio-Morales claimed that she is “apolitical” and suspended both Makati Mayor Junjun Binay who belongs to the opposition and former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima, an ally of the president.
Labog said Baldoz and Roxas, both Cabinet officials, are among government officials that families of the victims and the survivors of the Kentex fire tragedy sued before the Office of the Ombudsman last June 8.
“We dare the Ombudsman to use her powers for the benefit of Filipino workers. Filing charges against Baldoz, Roxas and other top officials over the Kentex factory fire would show that she is apolitical in a way that is significant to workers,” said Labog.
Labog also said “the responsibility for the fire goes beyond the capitalists of Kentex.”
“Top officials of the DOLE, the DILG, and the (Bureau of Fire Protection) should also be held accountable for colluding with the capitalists of Kentex in violating workplace safety,” Labog said. (davaotoday.com)
