New BI chief told to get rid of corruption
JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday ordered newly-appointed Immigration Commissioner Atty. Norman Garcera Tansingco to “rid the agency of corruption”.
“Do away with evil practices that have hounded the bureau with [many] issues and controversies. The Secretary assured support for all programs to curb corruption and red tape,” Atty. Mico Clavano, the Justice Department spokesperson, said in a message to reporters.
The BI was rocked by controversies one after another, with the “Pastillas Scheme” hogging headlines the most.
Under the Pastillas Scheme, Chinese visitors can seamlessly enter the country in exchange for bribes.
A Chinese citizen pays a P10,000 “service fee” – P2,000 of which will allegedly be shared among officials of the BI’s Travel Control and Enforcement Unit (TCEU), duty Immigration supervisor, and terminal heads.
It was also disclosed during Senate hearings that blacklisted Chinese fugitives would pay as much as P200,000 to “freely” enter the country.
Meanwhile, Clavano continued that Remulla has asked Tansingco to “protect the credibility and forward-looking attitude of the new administration – free from any controversy and issues.”
Another task for Tansingco, Clavano continued, is “to create a new legacy founded on effective and efficient service.”
“The Secretary reminded Commissioner Tansingco that the Bureau of Immigration [BI] is the first government contact upon entering the country. Thus, it is important to always have the best foot forward.”
“…the Secretary wished the new commissioner well in his new endeavor and asked for his transparency and responsible leadership,” Clavano said.
