Latest news with #POGOs
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
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
Filipino Times
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
BI chief denies corruption allegations in anonymous ‘white paper'
Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado publicly denied a string of corruption and misconduct allegations leveled against him by anonymous employees of the agency, calling the accusations 'patently false' and the product of a 'well-funded smear campaign.' The allegations surfaced in a letter dated June 2 and reportedly sent to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The letter, obtained by the Inquirer, claims that Viado abused his authority by facilitating the special release of foreign nationals linked to illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), bypassed standard deportation procedures, and was involved in questionable transactions related to quota visas and procurement processes. The anonymous employees expressed concern that, if left unaddressed, the issues could damage both the integrity of the Bureau and the image of the Marcos administration. Responding to inquiries from the media, Viado said he would have preferred to ignore the 'handiwork of shadowy characters hiding beneath the mask of 'concerned employees,'' but acknowledged the need to present his side. 'All the allegations contained in the alleged 'white paper' are patently false,' he said. 'We have already identified the parties behind this orchestrated and well-funded campaign aimed at shoving the agency into negative limelight once again. We shall expose these parties at the appropriate time and venue.' Viado disclosed that he had received warnings about possible retaliation from vested interests whose underground operations were disrupted by reforms currently being implemented at the BI. He claimed that some of those behind the campaign were former insiders who had been subject to the agency's one-strike policy or had personal grievances over denied requests. According to Viado, a senior BI official who now 'pretends to be a whistleblower,' previously attempted to pressure his office into releasing a Chinese national with alleged political connections to the past administration. He believes his refusal to accommodate that request may have triggered the campaign to discredit him. '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,' Viado stated. 'If the price of reform is to be the target of black propaganda, then so be it.' The commissioner reiterated that the Bureau is prepared to fully cooperate with any investigation that may be initiated by relevant government bodies. '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, noting that he had already extended the same assurance to the committee of Senator Imee Marcos. Viado also confirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) had been informed of the situation, including the identities and motives of the individuals believed to be behind what he described as an 'orchestrated campaign' against his leadership. He warned those responsible that they 'shall be exposed in due time,' insisting that the public deserves the truth. '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,' Viado said. 'No amount of smear will stop us from continuing our efforts at reforms in the agency. The truth will stand.'
GMA Network
09-06-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Over 9,000 POGO workers remain at large in PH — PAOCC
Months since POGOs were banned in the country, more than 9,000 former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) workers remain at large in the Philippines, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said Monday. 'So, due to the overcrowding, enforcement actions against the estimated 9,000 — ito po po yung kailangan hulihin natin. These are more than 9,000 illegal foreign workers — have been temporarily suspended,' PAOCC executive director Gilbert Cruz said during the last hearing of the House Quad Committee (QuadComm). (So, due to the overcrowding, enforcement actions against the estimated 9,000 — these are the ones we need to apprehend — have been temporarily suspended. These are more than 9,000 illegal foreign workers.) According to Cruz, their operations were temporarily suspended due to overcrowding at the PAOCC's detention facility in Pasay City. He said PAOCC conducted Cruz said there are currently over 600 foreigners detained at the facility. 'Many detainees still cannot be deported due to missing passports. Ito po 'yung problema natin, sir. 'Yung mga walang passports, because 'yung mga foreign nationals na nagtatrabaho po sa POGO mga tinanggalan po ng passports 'yan at 'yan, pakalat-kalat po ngayon dito sa Pilipinas,' Cruz said. (Many detainees still cannot be deported due to missing passports. This is our problem, sir. Those without passports, because many of the foreign nationals who worked in POGOs had their passports taken from them, are now scattered all over the Philippines.) Cruz said the detainees have been diagnosed with tuberculosis, hepatitis B, respiratory infections, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 'Actually, sir, dito po kami nalulumpo. Just three weeks ago, nagpa-cremate po tayo ng isang HIV victim,' Cruz said. (Actually, sir, this is where we are paralyzed. Just three weeks ago, we had to cremate an HIV victim.) PAOCC spends P2 million every month for the detainee's food, healthcare, and medical needs, according to the executive director. He recommended the creation of a centralized database for monitoring illegal operations and sharing real-time intelligence. He said local government units should also be trained and equipped to detect hidden POGOs following their shift to guerilla operations. Aside from this, he said the deportation process must also be improved through close coordination with foreign embassies while regional cooperation must be pursued more actively. 'Lastly, a nationwide public information campaign is needed to raise awareness about illegal offshore gaming operations and scam operations. As well as the role of community reporting in stopping these activities,' Cruz said. 'This is not only about removing illegal businesses but also about protecting the country's integrity. ensuring public safety, and demonstrating to the world that the Philippines will not be a safe haven for crime,' he added. Cruz said authorities arrested 750 foreign nationals in 10 major raids in 2025. Due to their operations, Cruz said some POGOs moved their operations to the Visayas and Mindanao as well as Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. He said there are also reports that some relocated to Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and the Republic of Vanuatu. President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. banned all POGOs in the country effective on July 22, 2024 after raids against illegal POGOs revealed equipment used for torture, love scams, and other crimes. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
22-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
7-Eleven PH bullish on VisMin for expansion
Philippine Seven Corp. (PSC), the exclusive licensor of convenience store 7-Eleven in the country, on Thursday said it is on track to achieve its goal of 500 new stores this year as it is looking to ride on the growth of consumer demand in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. According to PSC president and chief executive officer Jose Victor Paterno, the Visayas and Mindanao regions continue to outperform, which he said was a post-pandemic phenomenon. 'I think last year, almost half the new stores were in VisMin. More than half this year will be in VisMin because it's growing, because they are the most profitable stores, where there's the most consumer demand,' he said in Makati City. The company earlier said it plans to open 500 new stores in 2025 and hit 5,000 stores in 2026. It ended 2024 with 4,130 stores—1,974 of which were franchise stores, and the remaining 2,156 company-owned. 'We continue to monitor. Of course we look for trends and say, the new stores we're opening in the different regions are still doing well — yes, then we continue, and when we see signs of a slowdown or something like, okay, we're oversaturating this region, or this region is slowing down for whatever reason,' Paterno said. 'What I can tell you is that it's pretty strong, and thankfully VisMin continues to outperform,' he added. Asked for his outlook, Paterno said the company is optimistic that it will outperform the second half of 2024. Its third-quarter net income climbed 13.1% to P813.9 million and rose by 1.4% to P1.233 billion in the fourth quarter. 'I think if current economic conditions persist, mathematically we will surpass the second half because the second half was so weak because of maybe the POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators), but again, we don't know what's going to happen in the second half, what's going to happen with tariffs,' he said. President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., in his State of the Nation Address in July 2024, ordered the ban on all POGOs by the end of 2024, citing the sector's 'grave abuse' and 'disrespect' to the country's system and laws. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, in what he termed the 'Liberation Day' policy, planned to slap a 17% reciprocal tariff on Philippine goods, which compares with the 34% rate that Manila charges against American goods. This was set to take effect on April 9, but Trump has since announced a 90-day pause on most countries except China, while countries such as the Philippines could still face a baseline 10% tariff. Shares in PSC were last traded at P46.00 apiece, up by P0.50 or 1.10% from Wednesday's finish of P45.50 per share. — VBL, GMA Integrated News
