Negros Oriental Govenror Roel Ragay Degamo welcomed the result of the investigation conducted by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) which clearedthe provincial government of any liability as to the alleged fraud allegedly committed by the Public Employment Service Office’s (PESO) manager of Lapu-Lapu City involving some applicants from Negros Oriental seeking employment abroad.

It might be noted that hundreds of Negrenses earlier aired their disgust over what seemed to be a large scale fraud allegedly committed by the group of a certain Grace Jameo of Lapu-Lapu City using the PESO Negros Oriental.

Jameo and party promised them employment abroad by virtue of their studying the Korean language.

According to the complainants, they were made to pay a registration fee of 8,500 pesos for the short Korean language program but they found out later on that it was not officially sanctioned by government authorities.

This prompted Governor Degamo to ask the CHR to conduct an investigation as to who are the real culprits regarding the alleged fraud involving the applicants who were seeking employment abroad through the PESO.

After a couple of months of investigation, CHR Field Investigator Jesus Canete submitted to his office the result of his investigation clearing the provincial government and the PESO manager Mr. Ramon Benedicto of any liability in relation to the alleged fraud.

However, the report included a recommendation for a possible filing of appropriate charges on certain personalities who may have both direct and indirect participation to the commission of the crime particularly Ms. Jameo.

Governor Degamo said he is happy with the result of the investigation claiming that the PESO must not be an avenue for the commission of fraud but as a channel for employment opportunities.

He reiterated that the provision of livelihood programs and projects is one of the priority areas of the provincial government under the banner program dubbed as Sa Probinsiya—MagDEGAMO Ta!.

Governor Degamo added he already forwarded the report to Provincial Administrator Atty. Ricahrd Enojo who is also the acting Provincial Legal Counsel for appropriate action against those found to be liable of the fraud.

“First and foremost, we have to protect the rights and interest of our people and at the same time protect the name of the provincial government against all fraudulent acts especially those committed by employees of the government,” the governor said.