Ched Rick Gatchalian

Facebook/Mayor Matt Florido Withaheart (Cong Matt Florido)
 

Article (news)

Former Quezon mayor wanted for illegal recruitment

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Authorities are searching for former General Luna, Quezon Mayor Matt Erwin Florido in connection with an illegal recruitment case.The Regional Trial Court Branch 96 in Catanauan has issued a warrant of arrest against Florido and his secretary, Joma Christina Briones, for large-scale illegal recruitment — a non-bailable offense. Briones has already surrendered and has been arraigned. The case began after 14 alleged victims filed complaints against Florido, claiming he promised them jobs in South Korea as seasonal farm workers. In an interview with DZMM, Atty. Kath Noveno, legal counsel for the victims, said Florido allegedly began recruiting in 2021 while serving as mayor of General Luna.The recruitment was reportedly presented as a local government program led by Florido to send seasonal farm workers to South Korea. Florido also introduced a Korean national as a partner in the program. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/8/9/migrant-groups-push-for-justice-for-11-filipinos-allegedly-exploited-by-dutch-employer-0925">Migrant groups push for justice for 11 Filipinos allegedly exploited by Dutch employer </a></div>A municipal resolution was passed granting Mayor Florido permission to send seasonal farm workers to a certain town in South Korea.“Yung locality provided under the resolution hindi po yun ang locality kung saan dapat ipapadala itong mga seasonal farm workers” said Atty. Noveno.(The area named in the resolution is different from where the seasonal farm workers were to be sent)Noveno added that Florido also had no authorization from the Department of Migrant Workers to recruit workers for South Korea.“We tried to get certification from the Department of Migrant Workers if ex-Mayor Florido was indeed authorized to recruit,  hindi po siya authorized (he was not authorized),” Noveno said.Although the victims had submitted the required documents and attended orientations, they were still unable to leave for South Korea, reportedly for failing to meet qualifications.The lawyer added the workers were told their expenses towards deployment would be reimbursed but that Florido did not give any details on how that would be done.ABS-CBN News tried to reach Florido for comment, but he could not be contacted by phone and did not respond to messages on Messenger.Florido ran for congressman of Quezon Province’s third district in the May 2025 elections but was disqualified by the Commission on Elections over a vote-buying case.

Authorities are searching for former General Luna, Quezon Mayor Matt Erwin Florido in connection with an illegal recruitment case.

Authorities are searching for former General Luna, Quezon Mayor Matt Erwin Florido in connection with an illegal recruitment case.