Bello not stepping down as labor chief

It’s another case of fake news. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III belied reports that he is soon stepping down from his post to prepare for a senatorial run.

“Fake news,” Bello replied when asked about circulating reports that he intends to resign as labor secretary.

Labor officials close to Bello also dismissed as a “joke” President Duterte’s statement that Bello will run in the 2019 senatorial elections.

“It’s just one of the President’s jokes, Secretary Bello doesn’t have plans to run for senator or intention to resign,” a labor official told The STAR.

Duterte on Thursday said Bello is set to resign since he is eyeing a seat in the Senate.

Even if it was a joke of the President, labor groups seemed bothered.

Federation of Free Workers (FFW) vice president Julius Cainglet said Bello should first comply with Duterte’s major order to eliminate contractualization, before thinking of politics.

“It’s too early to talk about politics now. What we need is concrete action to stop contractualization... The right to unionize needs to be fully realized,” Cainglet said.

What the workers need at this time, Cainglet said, is not a politician but a public servant who will stand for the rights of workers.

Alan Tanjusay of the Associated Labor Unions (ALU) agreed with Cainglet that Bello should work first for the issuance of an executive order banning illegal contractualization.

“If he would be able to get an executive order banning contractualization before he steps down, he will be supported by all labor groups and workers organizations,” Tanjusay said.