From SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan's Employment & Immigration Update 2012 3Q.
The Administrative Complaints Committee (ACC) formed under DOLE Administrative Order No. 313 signed on 25 September 2012 is tasked to evaluate complaints “against all DOLE officials and employees who are non-presidential appointees” and recommend submission for preliminary investigation. Specifically, the ACC will
(i) evaluate the sufficiency of form and substance of a complaint;
(ii) conduct preliminary investigation and submit a preliminary investigation report—with recommendation—together with the complete records of the case to the disciplinary authority (the secretary in the central office or regional directors in regional offices);
(iii) issue summons, subpoenas and notices, as well as interlocutory orders, by authority of the secretary/regional director, in aid of preliminary investigation;
(iv) receive evidence and pleadings as well as other documents relative to the complaint under preliminary investigation; and
(v) take custody of records pertinent to the conduct of the investigation and ensure their confidentiality.
The ACC will take over the processing and disposition of all pending complaints.