MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he is looking into the corruption allegations within the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
In an ambush interview at the Malacañang Palace, the Chief Executive stressed that, even with the absence of white paper, the government is still taking the matter seriously.
“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,” Marcos said.
“But nonetheless, everything like this, we look into it, and we will continue to do that,” President Marcos further said.
Supposed BI employees — who wished to remain anonymous due to concerns of retaliation, alleged in a letter sent to the President corrupt practices under the present BI leadership, including the supposed mishandling of POGO-related cases and their deportation.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado has 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.
Viado called the accusations as “patently false” and 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./PN
