Senator Risa Hontiveros has warned the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to clean up its bureau, amidst a “pastillas” style modus operandi revealed recently in the Senate, otherwise get fired.

“We need to clean up the BI, at dapat simula ito sa mga malalaking taong sangkot dito, at siguraduhing hindi nirerecycle ang nga korap at gahamang opisyal,” Hontiveros said, in her statement.

“We’re in receipt of news that the President just fired officials and employees of the Bureau of Immigration involved in the ‘pastillas’ scheme. I welcome this clean up of the Bureau of Immigration,” she said.

“Sobrang garapalan na ang pastillas scheme. I want to emphasize: This is bigger than the frontline employees,” Hontiveros said.

“We need to protect the innocent, ensure that our borders are protected, go after the big fish, create systemic change sa loob ng Bureau of Immigration,” she said.

“AT DAPAT: Pilipino ang may kontrol ng ating border at mga ports, hindi mga Chinese,” Hontiveros said.

“In our next hearing, we will subpoena those who profitted millions, kasama na dito ang dating BI Deputy Commissioner na si Red Marinas,” said Hontiveros.

“Ngayon nagsisimula ang pagtatapos ng korapsyon sa BI, na nagpapasok ng mga ilegal na Chinese na binibiktima ang mga mga sarili nating kababaihan at mga bata,” she also said.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente has ordered an investigation into an alleged bribery scheme involving the entry of Chinese nationals into the country, a modus that a senator claims may have generated P1 billion in kickbacks to corrupt officials.

Hontiveros has bared an alleged modus operandi within the Bureau of Immigration in which Chinese nationals could apparently enter the Philippines easily for a service fee of P10,000 each.

Around a billion pesos may have already been disbursed as kickbacks to corrupt officials from the “pastillas” scheme — named after the Philippine dessert because the money used to be rolled up inside bond paper, the senator said.

“On Monday, I disclosed the disturbing Pastillas mode to the Bureau of Immigration, where billions of pesos flooded our airports to facilitate the entry of Chinese nationals,” Hontiveros said.

“As shocking as these revelations were, I was heartened by subsequent media reports on the quick action taken by our government agencies – an investigation team has been formed to investigate the allegations, some government officers have been relieved from their posts, and lifestyle checks are going to be conducted on pinpointed immigration officials. I am grateful for it,” she said.

“But there is still so much to do. And there are so many more to blame.  We were ready to wait another week before resuming the hearing, but I was troubled by the news that our informant’s life was in danger. This was Monday afternoon, only hours after the hearing,” Hontiveros said.

“Our informant has decided to appear before all of you today – without disguise, without cover – to testify to the evidence and to tell the truth. Our witness today is willing and able to name names,” the Senator said.

Hontiveros said immigration and mid-level employees pay only at the airport. Not everyone accepts. “We need to go after the big fish because the money goes way beyond frontline employees.”

She said protectors and suppliers earn more. They receive millions from the Chinese every month. There are hundreds of illegal POGO operations that bring crime, trafficking, and prostitution to the country. “That is what we must define and hold to the law,” she said.

“I know that this is only the tip of the iceberg. Chinese national grease money pays P10,000, but only P2,000 is distributed at the airport as pastillas. Where’s the P8,000 and who’s got it? The scope of our informant’s knowledge is NAIA terminals only. How about other international airports like Clark, Cebu, Kalibo, Davao?,” said Hontiveros.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said Morente was “deeply alarmed” by Hontiveros’ “exposés.” Immigration officials present at the Senate when she revealed the alleged scheme claimed they did not know of it.

“He has ordered a full blown investigation to identify those who are possibly part of this syndicate to file both administrative and criminal cases against them,” Sandoval said./Stacy Ang