Philippine News Agency
BI chief not off the hook yet: Palace
Malacañang, through Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, stated that Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente will not escape charges if investigations reveal he committed lapses in stopping the "pastillas" scheme.
This statement comes despite President Rodrigo Duterte vouching for Morente's integrity.
The Palace emphasized that confidence in Morente remains until the President makes a contrary statement.
The "pastillas" scheme involves BI personnel facilitating the entry of Chinese workers for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in exchange for grease money.
Senator Risa Hontiveros revealed that Chinese nationals allegedly pay a PHP10,000 "service fee" for expedited entry into the Philippines through this modus operandi.
The illegal practice is named the "pastillas" scheme because the bribe money is reportedly concealed within rolled bond paper, similar to the packaging of the milk candy.
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Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente has ordered an investigation into an alleged bribery scheme where Chinese nationals pay P10,000 each for seamless entry into the Philippines, a scheme dubbed "pastillas."
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An Immigration officer identified officials involved in the "pastillas" bribery scheme that facilitated the entry of Chinese high-rollers and POGO workers into the country.
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Bureau of Immigration (BI) chief Jaime Morente is subject to an investigation regarding the "pastillas" bribery scheme.
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The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has relieved its officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and its Travel Control and Enforcement Unit pending investigation into the alleged 'pastillas' scheme.
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President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the relief of 18 Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials and employees implicated in the "pastillas" bribery scheme.
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