President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is looking into allegations of corruption against Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado, following complaints from BI employees about his handling of cases involving illegal workers and Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO).
In an interview on Tuesday, June 10, Marcos said his administration continue to investigate such allegations. He noted, however, the challenges of probing unsigned and vague documents.
“Well, of course, we are looking at it,” he said when asked about the allegations of corruption reportedly hurled against Viado by several employees of the bureau.
“But you know these—mahirap mapag-aralan nang mabuti kung white paper na hindi pinirmahan at saka walang specific. But nonetheless, everything like this, we look into it and we will continue to do this,” he stressed.
A letter alleging Viado of committing illegalities in handling cases involving illegal foreign workers and POGO was sent to Marcos.
Viado on Monday denied the allegations against him, saying “all the allegations contained in the alleged ‘white paper’ are patently false.”
The immigration official stressed that the letter was “obviously the handiwork of shadowy characters hiding beneath the mask of ‘concerned employees’.” (Betheena Unite)
