Ombudsman launches probe into alleged anomalies in DOLE’s TUPAD program

The Office of the Ombudsman has launched a fact-finding investigation into the alleged anomalies surrounding the Labor Department's emergency employment program amid the COVID-19 crisis.

The following issues will be covered by the fact-finding investigation into the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program:

• implementation of the emergency employment program in Quezon City, including the distribution of wages with illegal deductions reportedly funneled to congressional staff members or barangay officials
• collection of “processing fees” from the wages of aid recipients
• government officials taking advantage of the TUPAD program
• suspension of the TUPAD program in a district in Palawan.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III welcomed the investigation.

“In fact, immediately after we received a report of irregularity in the implementation of TUPAD in the second district of Quezon City, I suspended the program and replaced the head of our QC Office,” Bello said in a text message.

“I also requested the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) to investigate the report of irregularity,” he added.

The Ombudsman said in a statement that the investigation is being conducted motu proprio, which means that it is being carried out even without a formal request from a certain party.

“As an independent constitutional body, the Ombudsman continues to conduct in-depth investigations on alleged anomalies especially those committed in these trying times of the pandemic,” Ombudsman Samuel Martires said.

The TUPAD program is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment to displaced workers, unemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum of 10 days but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of the work to be performed. — VBL, GMA News