THE Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal of 45 officials and agents of the Bureau of Immigration who were implicated in the so-called “pastillas scam” or the anomalous entry of foreign nationals into the country by bypassing screening procedures.
In a 143-page Consolidated Decision released last June 6, the anti-corruption agency held the respondents liable for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service for accepting bribe from in-bound aliens, mostly Chinese tourists, who passed through an unofficial immigration “express lane” at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals 1 and 2.
The administrative cases stemmed from a complaint filed in 2020 by the National Bureau of Investigation-Special Action Unit (NBI-SAU).
Also last June 6, the Ombudsman filed a graft case before the Sandiganbayan against 51 BI officers led by former Port Operations Division deputy commissioner Marc Red Mariñas and private defendant Liya Wu, owner of Empire International Travel and Tours for allegedly conspiring for the commission of the illegal scheme.
“This office finds that respondents acted willfully and with a corrupt motive. Wherefore, there being substantial evidence, this office finds the following administratively liable for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and are meted the penalty of dismissal from the service,” the Ombudsman said.
Covered by the dismissal order were BI Personnel Section acting chief Grifton Medina, Erwin Ortañez, Glenn “GC” Comia, Benlado “Bien” Guevarra, Danieve “Denden” Binsol, Deon Carlo Albao, Arlan Edward Mendoza, Anthony “Al” Lopez, Cecille Orozco, Francis Dennis Robles, Bradfrod Allen So, Vincent Allas, Rodolfo “Totoy” Magbuhos, ER German Robin, Gabriel Ernest “Gabe” Estacio, and Ralph Ryan “RG” Garcia.
The order also covered Phol “Vexana III” Villanueva, Abdul Fahad “Sharpedge” Calaca, Danilo Deudor, Mark “Fakehappy” Macababbad, Aurelio “Amboy” Lucero III, George Bituin, Salahudin Hadjinoor, Cherrypie “Chepie” Bicolcol, Chevy Chase Naniong, Carl Jordan Perez, Abdulhafez “HB” Hadjibasher, Jeffrey Dale “Boss Nyepi” Ignacio, Clint John Simene, Asliyah Maruhom, Maria Victoria Jogno, and Paul Erik “Liza” Borja.
The list also included Hamza Pacasum, Manuel Sarmiento III, Fidel Mendoza, Dimple Mayumi Mallari, Gerrymyle “Gem” Franco, John Michael Angeles, Francis Meeka Flores, Sadruddin Usudan, John Kessler Cortez, Mohammad Sahary Lomondot, John Derrick Go, Aira Inoue, and Rovan Rey Manlapas.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires said all 45 were verified to be still in BI’s roster of active personnel. However, for those who are no longer with the agency, a fine equivalent to one year salary will be imposed.
The order also applied all accessory penalties including cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification from holding public office and from taking the civil service examinations.
