Solon wants POEA to reopen "Sentosa 27" case, recruitement agency suspended

"It is such a shame that while the US court found that Sentosa clearly violated the Filipino nurses' rights, the Philippine government remains blind to their plight, as well as to the calls of other OFWs victimized by recruitment agencies," Gabriela Women's Party Rep. Luz Ilagan said condemning the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration's lack of action on the years old 'Sentosa 27' case.

The lawmaker wants POEA to reopen the case it dismissed in 2008, and to include the new complaints against its unfair practices, especially the $25,000 bond it requires for nurses who want to rescind their three-year employment contract.

She asked the government agency to immediately re-suspend Sentosa until the end of the investigation.

"The bond's purpose is to generate easy money for recruitment agencies and to trap OFWs in illegal and unfair contracts and poor working conditions. Its imposition is enough reason to re-suspend, even to completely ban Sentosa, as well as similar recruitment companies, from operating," Ilagan said.

In 2006, the POEA administrator suspended Sentosa after the 26 nurses and a physical therapist filed cases against it after the recruitment agency failed to uphold the commitments stipulated in their contracts such as competitive salary, free airfare from Manila to New York, reimbursement of licensure and certification expenses, comprehensive training, among others. The suspension was lifted after only two weeks.

"Letting them off the hook the second time is an insult to the Filipino people and the Philippine justice system, as it means anybody can commit a crime and escape accountability through connections in the high places," Ilagan said.

Ilagan was talking about the alleged involvement of POEA Administrator Rosalinda Baldoz, Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, and NY Consul General Cecilia Rebong in the lifting of the preventive suspension order on Sentosa, after a US Senator allegedly wrote them.

In a privilege speech, Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. accused then Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor of making two phone calls to "lobby" for the lifting of the suspension.

Ilagan asked the House of Representatives to investigate on the matter through Resolution No. 18.