Duterte relieves Immigration officials, staff tagged in 'pastillas' bribery scheme
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 20) — President Rodrigo Duterte has relieved all Immigration officials and employees involved in the so-called “pastillas” bribery scheme that allegedly gives VIP treatment to Chinese visitors, his spokesperson said on Thursday.
Duterte said in a speech on Thursday that he relieved officials involved in the bribery scandal and ordered Immigration chief Jaime Morente to file charges against them so they can be dismissed.
The President also affirmed his trust for Morente, but in the same breath suggested that he was unable to act on the alleged bribery scheme.
"The President considers this anomaly as a grave form of corruption which cannot be countenanced by the government. As we have repeatedly stressed, there are no sacred cows in this administration," Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said ealier in the day.
Bureau spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the agency has removed 18 employees from their respective posts, which comes days after the Senate investigation that exposed the alleged pay-off scheme that gives Chinese nationals easy access to the country.
During the follow-up hearing on Thursday, an immigration officer revealed Chinese nationals pay ₱10,000 as a “service fee” or grease money for a special entry treatment from the BI. The grease money is higher for Chinese fugitives who want to get in and out of the country, witness and Immigration Officer Allison "Alex" Chiong told a Senate body.
Related: 5 immigration officials axed pending probe on VIP scheme for Chinese visitors
During the follow-up hearing on Thursday, an immigration officer revealed Chinese nationals pay ₱10,000 as a “service fee” or grease money for a special entry treatment from the BI. The grease money is higher for Chinese fugitives who want to get in and out of the country, witness and Immigration Officer Allison "Alex" Chiong told a Senate body.
Once the Chinese national arrives, the immigration officer on duty would leave his booth and tell the foreigner to follow him to an office, where the visitor's passport is processed for entry. This is a departure from the standard practice where all foreigners are screened through immigration booths in ports. Fugitives would be allowed entry without even scanning their passports to avoid arrest, Chiong said.
"The exposé by Immigration Officer Alex Chiong is deeply alarming, and we will ensure that we will take every measure to destroy this system of corruption, and impose the harshest penalties to erring personnel. Corruption has no place in the bureau," Sandoval said in a statement.
On Tuesday, Sandoval said five immigration officials assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have been relieved pending investigation on the "pastillas" scheme, which she expects to last 15 days. She earlier said that the probe could be expanded to cover other international airports.
Panelo said the "pastillas" scheme and the manner by which Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente is running the bureau will be discussed in the next Cabinet meeting.
"The President considers this anomaly as a grave form of corruption, which cannot and will never be countenanced by the government. As we have repeatedly stressed, there are no sacred cows in this administration," he said.
Related: Duterte still trusts immigration chief amid ‘pastillas scheme’ scandal – Palace
Senator Risa Hontiveros said the relief order of Duterte is a positive step towards fixing the bureau, adding she hopes the relieved officials will not be reappointed to a different government position.
"I welcome the continuing clean up of the Bureau of Immigration. Sobrang garapalan na ng operations," she said.
