Bureau of Immigration (BI) Board of Special Inquiry (BSI) chief Gilberto Repizo clarified Friday that he was not removed from his post, but rather transferred to another government agency.

In a radio interview, Repizo said he was reassigned to the main office of the Department of Justice (DOJ), following reports that he was dismissed by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla.

“First of all, we acknowledge the authority of the Secretary of the Department of Justice in issuing this kind of order. This is because the DOJ has supervision and administrative control over the Bureau of Immigration, including the NBI and the Bilibid prison, so this authority falls under the powers of our Secretary,” Repizo said.

He noted, however, that he had submitted a letter to Remulla on Thursday informing him of his intent to explore “remedies under the rules of Civil Service,” adding that it was not meant to show disrespect or disobedience to the order.

“For now, I am still functioning because under the CSC rules, I am given a specific number of days to present my position regarding my transfer to another agency,” he added.

Earlier this month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered an investigation into alleged corruption and misconduct by BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.

The allegations were detailed in an anonymous “white paper,” reportedly attributed to Repizo, who questioned what he claimed was “special treatment” given to certain foreign nationals by Viado, despite standing detention orders.

Viado has strongly denied the accusations.