BI under fire; DoJ responds

The Department of Justice (DoJ) on Monday assured the public that it has consistently directed the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to uphold President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s stance against corruption, following allegations made against BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.

Justice Assistant Secretary and DoJ spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano made the assurance after some BI employees accused Viado of corruption and misconduct in handling cases related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and the deportation of illegal foreign workers.

“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 his words but also the spirit behind the directive,” Clavano said in an interview with DAILY TRIBUNE.

Clavano also cautioned against using the current political climate to push personal agendas.

“Let us not use the political climate to further our personal agenda,” he said.

The allegations against Viado were raised in a letter dated 2 June purportedly written by anonymous BI employees and addressed to President Marcos. The employees claimed that if the issues remained unresolved, it “could lead to significant corruption problems, potentially tarnishing the image of the administration.”

Among the claims made against Viado were that he allegedly abused his authority by fast-tracking the release of foreign nationals involved in illegal POGO operations. Specifically, they said, he ordered the release of three Chinese nationals — Wang Qixin, Chen Jiangsong, and Luo Shangfen — who were linked to a raided POGO hub at the RiRance Building in Parañaque City.

The employees further alleged that Viado blocked the transfer of 39 illegal foreign workers caught at Udenna Tower in Taguig City to the Bureau of Immigration Warden Facility (BIWF), instead ordering them confined in the BI conference room — a move that drew criticism within the agency itself.

Lawyer Gilbert Repizo, chair of the BI Board of Special Inquiry, also questioned the “special treatment” given to the foreign nationals despite standing orders for their detention.

Viado, however, has strongly denied the allegations.

In a statement, he said: “I unequivocally state that all the allegations contained in the alleged white paper are patently false.”

He said the bureau welcomed any investigation into the accusations.

“Should any pertinent agency of the national government decide to look into the supposed allegations, I reiterate the commitment of the bureau to lend its fullest support. This is the same commitment I have extended to the committee of Senator Imee Marcos,” Viado said.

He described the accusations as a “smear campaign,” allegedly fueled by a senior BI official whose request for the release of a Chinese national reportedly connected to a political figure from the previous administration was denied.

“I have disregarded these warnings because the mandate I accepted was never about protecting myself, but about cleaning up a system long plagued by abuse,” Viado said.

He said the BI has identified those behind the alleged smear campaign and will disclose their identities “at the appropriate time and venue.”

“We have kept the honorable secretary of justice aware of these developments, as well as the identity and the motives of the parties behind this smear campaign,” Viado said.