The nation was shocked by a big scandal involving Bureau of Immigration officials who received cash worth P50 million as bribe from casino mogul Jack Lam, to release 1,316 illegal Chinese workers arrested in Clark, Pampanga. This scandal resulted in the dismissal of BI Deputy Commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles, who admitted receiving the said amount from Lam’s camp. BI Intelligence Chief Charles Calima, Jr. and Technical Assistant for Intelligence Edward Chan were also dismissed for receiving P18 million out of the P50-million bribe. Besides the dismissal from their positions, the officials may also be charged once the Department of Justice finds probable cause.
Before the scandal, President Duterte had ordered Jack Lam’s arrest. However, at that time, there were no cases filed so the National Bureau of Investigation failed to arrest him. Currently, cases have been filed against Jack Lam. President Duterte will allow him to return to the Philippines and continue his businesses in the country if he meets three conditions: 1) pay the tax deficiencies of his online casino in Fontana; 2) apply for license in the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to legalize his casino operations and to pay the appropriate taxes moving forward; and 3) promise not to corrupt officials such as the BI bribery case.
Argosino and Robles, the high-ranking BI officials involved in the bribery case, were the President’s election lawyers. They worked for him during the campaign. At the same time, they were his fraternity brothers at the San Beda College of Law’s Lex Talionis Fraternitas, Inc. While the President had previously stated that his brods, friends, and even relatives who would be involved in corruption would not be spared, we are still concerned about his other appointees in the government. If these two BI officials were still able to commit such a corrupt act despite their closeness to the President, what would prevent other appointees from doing the same?
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II considers overhauling the bureau after the bribery scandal. Maybe he can also take a look at other agencies that have been involved in corruption in the previous administration such as the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Pagcor, etc.
We hope that the President reviews his appointments in several government agencies. He has always insisted that his appointees were selected based on merit, and not by personal affiliation. The BI scandal is a proof of appointments less than meritorious. The administration should show it is serious about fighting corruption from within its ranks. A good way to start is to review the dedication and integrity of all government appointees. After all, they are—every one of them—a reflection on the President.