IMMIGRATION Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado yesterday denied corruption allegations, in-cluding the supposed mishandling of cases related to foreigners who were apprehended due to their involvement in the illegal operation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country, supposedly made by employees of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
“For the record, I unequivocally state that all the allegations contained in the alleged ‘white pa-per’ are patently false,” Viado said in a statement.
News reports state that unnamed immigration employees, through a letter dated June 2, called the attention of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Viado’s alleged corrupt practices, including his supposed mishandling of POGO cases and the deportation of arrested Chinese and Vietnamese workers.
The employees warned that Viado’s actions, “if left unaddressed, could lead to significant cor-ruption problem, potentially tarnishing the image of the administration.”
Viado dismissed the employees’ allegations as a “smear campaign,” even as he said that he is ready to face any investigation related to the matters raised in the letter.
“Should any pertinent agency of the national government decide to look into the supposed alle-gations, I reiterate the commitment of the Bureau to lend its fullest support,” he said.
He accused a senior BI official whom he did not identify as the one who is allegedly behind the campaign against him.
He said he got the ire of the said official after he rejected his request to release a Chinese na-tional linked to a powerful political figure from the previous administration.
“We have been warned that a senior BI official, who is now pretending to be a whistleblower and who tried to pressure the Office of the Commissioner to release a Chinese national linked to a powerful political figure from the previous administration could be behind this smear cam-paign. I was also told that my rejection of the plea by this person to release the said Chinese na-tional may have fueled the smear campaign,” Viado said.
Aside from this, he said the reforms he implemented in the agency, in coordination with the De-partment of Justice (DOJ), may have also prompted those affected to smear his name.
“We have also been warned that a handful of employees who have been subjected to our one-strike policy are working closely with the said parties. This is expected,” he added.
Viado said his office will expose those behind the alleged smear drive in the coming days.
“For the information of our media partners, 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 said.
Sought for comment, DOJ Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano said Vi-ado continues to enjoy the confidence of the justice department.
Clavano also said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has given guidance to Viado to contin-ue implementing reforms in the bureau and to get rid of misfits.
“The public can be assured that the DOJ has constantly given guidance and orders to the Bureau of Immigration to follow the President’s directive – not only in his words but as well to the spirit behind the directive,” Clavano said in a Viber message.
“Let us not use the political climate to further personal agenda,” he added.
At the same time, Clavano urged those who have concerns to come forward with proof against the BI chief instead of issuing or sending a letter alone.
He said the DOJ cannot act on unsubstantiated allegations, such as those contained in the letter or “white paper,” against Viado.
“The DOJ is evidence-based, so any allegations must be supported by evidence. Not just white paper which is unsubstantiated,” he said, addig that it would be better if the concerned enmployees come forward and submit evidence to back up their allegations.
Clavano assured the public that the DOJ would not hesitate to act if there are evidence to sub-stantiate the accusations against Viado.
Last week, Viado announced that three immigration officers are under investigation for possible collusion with four overstaying Chinese nationals who attempted to evade immigration inspec-tion at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
