According to Italian lawyer hired for 100 Filipinos ‘duped’ by recruiters | Global News (inquirer.net), the Philippine Consulate General in Milan has announced that criminal proceedings would soon be brought against individuals responsible for the purported fraud and unauthorized hiring of Filipinos who paid astronomical placement and consulting costs for positions that turned out to be fake in Italy.
Bruno de Blasi, an Italian attorney recruited by the Philippine government to represent about 100 Italian-based complainants, will bring accusations of aggravated fraud against Alpha Assistenza SRL, according to a statement from the embassy.
According to the consulate, the complainants are on behalf of 269 Filipinos living in the Philippines who were allegedly forced to pay at least P180,000 per for jobs in Italy under the decreto flussi scheme, which ultimately proved to be a scam.
Decreto flussi is a legislation passed by the Italian government that places limits on the number of non-European nationals who can enter the country in search of employment, according to ItaliaHello, a nonprofit that assists immigrants and refugees.
Just after he and Consul General Elmer Cato signed the agreement enabling him to represent them in Italian courts, the consulate reported that De Blasi met with the complainants.
After the consulate began getting requests for help, Cato recommended to the Department of Foreign Affairs that a lawyer be hired to represent complainants in Italy.
De Blasi won the contract to represent the complainants in Milan and the surrounding territories, according to the consulate, by putting in the most competitive proposal out of the four attorneys who showed interest in the matter.
According to Italian lawyer hired for 100 Filipinos ‘duped’ by recruiters | Global News (inquirer.net), a few days after the consulate opened an inquiry after many accusations made against Diane Krizelle Respicio, the CEO of Alpha Assistenza, the recommendation was made.
On November 20, 48 claimed victims of a recruiting fraud in Manila filed charges with the Department of Justice (DOJ) about unlawful recruitment and estafa against Respicio and many other defendants.
After being forced to pay costs for their work permits in installments, the victims turned to the National Bureau of Investigation for assistance.
According to Italian lawyer hired for 100 Filipinos ‘duped’ by recruiters | Global News (inquirer.net), the victims stated that the promise of a quick application procedure from a management firm run by Filipinos, which was well-liked by the Filipino community in Italy, inspired them to apply.
In a GMA report, according to Italian lawyer hired for 100 Filipinos ‘duped’ by recruiters | Global News (inquirer.net), Respicio refuted the accusations through legal counsel Charlie Pascual, stating that the corporation was prepared to address the claims in the appropriate arena.
The DOJ will assist the victims in drafting complaints and filing their affidavits, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla had previously stated, according to Italian lawyer hired for 100 Filipinos ‘duped’ by recruiters | Global News (inquirer.net).
