Senator Bong Go said Wednesday that the Bureau of Immigration officers suspended by the Ombudsman for alleged corruption would be meeting President Rodrigo Duterte next week.
“‘Yung mga nasuspendido na mga taga-Bureau of Immigration ay kaniyang haharapin sa darating na Lunes at kaniyang kakausapin,” Go said in an interview as he visited fire victims in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Last week, Ombudsman Samuel Martires imposed a 6-month preventive suspension to 44 Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel allegedly involved in the pastillas scheme.
Moreover, Go said Duterte would be disclosing the names of erring government officials as the administration continues its anti-corruption campaign.
“Alam ninyo, tuloy-tuloy po ‘yan, papangalanan ni Pangulo sa buwan na ito at sa susunod na buwan, tuwing may makakasuhan at masususpinde ang Ombudsman. Papangalanan niya po ito sa publiko para malaman po ng mga Pilipino kung sino ‘yung may mga kaso,” he said.
“Ngayon, kung ayaw ninyong pangalanan kayo, e ‘di wag kayong pumasok sa korapsyon dahil tuloy-tuloy po ang kampanya namin ni Pangulo laban sa korapsyon,” he added.
The Department of Justice leads the mega task force that would conduct a government-wide corruption following the orders of President Duterte.
Also read: Public may report corrupt activities to the task force – DOJ exec
Go: Duterte to meet suspended BI employees next week
“Marami pa po sa Immigration, sa Customs, sa Department of Public Works and Highways, sa Department of Agriculture. Lahat po ‘yan, ongoing po [ang investigation],” he said.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra announced the five government agencies that the task force he will form would first look into whether there is corruption:
- Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)
- Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
- Bureau of Customs (BOC)
- Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
- Land Registration Authority (LRA)
Meanwhile, Commissioner Jaime Morente announced that the Bureau of Immigration (BI) would implement a one-strike policy against erring employees as part of its intensified drive against corruption.
As per BI’s records from 2016, 131 personnel have been suspended, dismissed, and dropped from the rolls for different offenses.
Under the one-strike policy, erring personnel subject of complaints and investigations will be relieved from their posts immediately.