Latest news with #POGO-related
GMA Network
14-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Gatchalian seeks probe on BI's alleged mishandling of POGO-related deportations
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is seeking an inquiry into alleged corruption and misconduct in the handling of POGO deportations by the Bureau of Immigration (BI). In a statement on Saturday, Gatchalian said he filed Senate Resolution 1381 to probe the agency's leadership amid allegations of corruption and misconduct raised by some concerned BI employees. 'The improper implementation of the country's anti-POGO policy concerning the detention and deportation of foreign nationals involved in POGOs may create loopholes in our anti-POGO framework and allow nefarious POGO actors to continue their operations,' Gatchalian said. The senator said that the improper deportation of POGO-related foreign nationals may allow them to escape liability. GMA News Online reached out to BI for comment. The story will be updated once a response has been received. Earlier this month, unnamed BI employees sent a letter to the President, accusing the agency's top official of overstepping authority by expediting bail for foreign nationals tied to POGOs, including influential POGO figures, according to the lawmaker. The BI employees also claimed that a new scheme has emerged involving the auctioning of permanent quota visas to the highest bidder. 'Kailangan nating ituwid ang katiwalian sa ahensyang inaasahang nagpapatupad ng batas at punan ang pagkukulang sa ating mga regulasyon,' Gatchalian said. (We need to correct corruption in the agency that is supposed to enforce the law and fill the gaps in our regulations.) President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. earlier this week also said he is looking into the allegations Well, of course, we're looking at it. But, you know, mahirap mapag-aralan nang mabuti kung white paper na hindi napirmahan at saka walang specifics. But nonetheless, everything like this, we look into it, and we will continue to do that,'' Marcos told reporters in an ambush interview. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
11-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
BI chief Viado: Impartial probe to provide clarity on corruption allegations
Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado on Wednesday welcomed the investigation into the corruption allegations within the bureau. Viado made the remark after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he is looking into the accusations of corruption at the Bureau of Immigration (BI). 'We respectfully acknowledge and welcome President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s statement regarding the need to look into the issues raised in the so-called BI white paper,' said Viado in a statement. 'We share the President's view that transparency, fairness, and due process are essential in addressing matters of public concern,' he added. Viado also said the BI trusts that 'an impartial and comprehensive investigation will bring clarity, establish accountability where warranted, and ultimately strengthen the public's trust in our institutions.' On Monday, the Immigration chief denied the corruption allegations against the BI, including the supposed mishandling of cases related to the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country. The issue stemmed from a letter purportedly sent by BI employees to the President last week, in which they allegedly accused Viado of corruption. The BI employees—who wished to remain anonymous due to concerns of retaliation from Viado—mentioned in the letter the alleged corrupt practices under the present BI leadership, including the supposed mishandling of POGO-related cases and their deportation. Viado has dismissed the letter as part of a 'smear campaign.' He also accused a senior BI official of fueling the issue after the BI chief supposedly rejected his request to release a Chinese national linked to a powerful political figure from the previous administration. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
10-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos looking into BI corruption allegations
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he is looking into the corruption allegations within the Bureau of Immigration. ''Well, of course, we're looking at it. But, you know, mahirap mapag-aralan nang mabuti kung white paper na hindi napirmahan at saka walang specifics. But nonetheless, everything like this, we look into it, and we will continue to do that,'' Marcos told reporters in an ambush interview. (But it's difficult to study a white paper carefully if it's not signed and doesn't have specifics.) Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado already denied corruption allegations in the bureau, including the supposed mishandling of cases related to the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country. In a press statement, Viado dismissed as 'patently false' the accusations purportedly contained in a letter sent by BI employees to the President last week, wherein they supposedly accused the BI chief of corruption. The BI employees — who wished to remain anonymous due to concerns of retaliation from Viado —mentioned in the letter the alleged corrupt practices under the present BI leadership including the supposed mishandling of POGO-related cases and their deportation. Viado has dismissed the letter as part of a 'smear campaign.' He also accused a senior BI official of fueling the propaganda after the BI chief supposedly rejected his request to release a Chinese national linked to a powerful political figure from the previous administration. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
09-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
DOJ urges BI employees to come forward amid corruption allegations
Justice spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano has urged the anonymous Immigration employees who reported alleged corruption in the agency to come forward and share their evidence with the Department of Justice (DOJ). 'Lumutang na sana yung mga nag complain dahil ito naman ay isang safe space para sa kanila. Eh dito nga tinatry ang mga admin cases ng mga BI officers eh, 'di ba? Dito hinahain ang mga 'yun. Dito talaga pino-process 'yun,' Clavano said in an ambush interview Monday. (I hope the complainants will come forward since this is a safe space for them. This is where the administrative cases against BI officers are tried. This is where those are filed. This is really where they're processed.) This came after Immigration personnel anonymously submitted a letter to the Office of the President to report the supposed corrupt practices under the present BI leadership, including the mishandling of POGO-related cases and their deportation. Clavano stressed that Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has repeatedly said that he wanted to clean the ranks of the Bureau of Immigration (BI). When asked if the DOJ will conduct its own internal investigation, Clavano said it has not yet reached that point as the only basis is the letter, calling it 'vague.' According to the spokesperson, the Justice Department is 'evidence-based.' 'Sana magbigay pa sila ng mas matibay na evidence, no, or mga supporting documents. Dahil sa tingin naman natin, we have followed the letter of the President's directive, which is to make sure that all POGOs are banned and deported out of the country,' Clavano said. (I hope they provide stronger evidence or supporting documents. Because we believe we have followed the president's directive to the letter, which is to ensure that all POGOs are banned and deported out of the country.) He also expressed hope that this is not an attempt to use the current political climate. 'Ngayon, sana naman hindi gamitin ang political climate, lalo na na may courtesy resignations ang mga head of agency, bilang channel or tool para mamulitika sa loob ng BI,' he said. (Now, I hope the political climate, especially with the courtesy resignations of agency heads, won't be used as a channel or tool for politicking within the BI.) For his part, BI Commissioner Joel Viado earlier denied the allegations against him. He dismissed the accusations as 'patently false' and dubbed it a 'smear campaign.' — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
09-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
BI chief Viado denies corruption allegations
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado on Monday denied corruption allegations in the bureau, including the supposed mishandling of cases related to the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country. In a press statement, Viado dismissed as 'patently false' the accusations purportedly contained in a letter sent by BI employees to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last week, wherein they supposedly accused the BI chief of corruption. 'For the record, I unequivocally state that all the allegations contained in the alleged 'white paper' are patently false,' he said. 'Should any pertinent agency of the national government decide to look into the supposed 'allegations,' I reiterate the commitment of the Bureau to lend its fullest support,' he said. BI employees — who wished to remain anonymous due to concerns of retaliation from Viado — allegedly submitted a letter to the Office of the President (OP) to report the supposed corrupt practices under the present BI leadership including the mishandling of POGO-related cases and their deportation. Malacañang has yet to confirm receipt of the letter dated June 2 but a supposed copy of it showed that it was received by the OP on June 5, 2025. Viado dismissed the letter as part of a 'smear campaign.' He also accused a senior BI official of fueling the propaganda after the BI chief supposedly rejected his request to release a Chinese national linked to a powerful political figure from the previous administration. 'I was also told that my rejection of the plea by this person to release the said Chinese national may have fueled the smear campaign. I have disregarded these warnings because the mandate I accepted was never about protecting myself, but about cleaning up a system long plagued by abuse. If the price of reform is to be the target of black propaganda, then so be it,' he said. Viado warned of exposing the parties behind the alleged smear campaign in 'due time.' 'I have assured those who have expressed their concern over the threats from these interests that no amount of smear will stop us from continuing our efforts at reforms in the agency,' the BI chief said. 'It is unfortunate that these interests are using the name of the hardworking men and women of the bureau to mask themselves and their hideous agenda. I warn these parties in turn that they shall be exposed in due time. The public deserves the truth and the truth will stand,' he added. —Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News
