The Bureau of Immigration (BI) ordered some 2,000 foreigners to leave the country after they were found to be staying on 9G visas through a prearranged employment scheme allegedly controlled by four immigration lawyers.
BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the four immigration lawyers allegedly involved in the issuance of prearranged employment (9G) visas to fake corporations have been relieved since December last year.
She said that the bureau’s Verification and Compliance Division (VCD) found 459 applications that were issued visas in 2023 were petitioned by fake companies, saying this illegal activity could have been operating since 2019.
Based on an unofficial estimate, at least 2,000 foreigners have been issued 9G visas since 2019 through pre-arranged visa schemes petitioned by fake employers.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that sole proprietorship companies were favored by the erring aliens, as he ordered an audit of visas issued within the last five years.
“During our initial investigation, at least 40 travel agencies and liaison officers are suspected of being involved in the scheme, and we reported to the Department of Justice a total of 116 employers found to be fake,” he said.
“We also recommended the issuance of show cause orders against four BI lawyers and the abolition of the Legal Division’s visa task force,” he added.
Senator Grace Poe branded as “alarming” the issuance of employment visas to foreigners through fake companies.
She said the Department of Justice (DOJ) must get to the bottom of the illegal scheme, and punish erring immigration personnel and other individuals involved.
“We have witnessed how crimes related to POGOs continue to bring problems to our peace and order,” Poe said, referring to Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators that offer online gambling.
She said these activities will remain unabated if personnel from the BI keep the gates open to illegal foreigners.
Remulla on Tuesday said his office will look into the accountability of past and present officials of the BI, who approved applications for visas from bogus companies.
Remulla, in a press briefing, said the visas were issued to applicants from fake corporations and sole proprietorship companies. Information about the anomalies was brought to the DOJ’s attention this month.
“As a matter of policy, I’m asking the BI not to grant any more visas to sole proprietorships but only to corporations that have the stamp of approval of the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission),” he said.
Remulla said initial findings showed that a number of corporations that were petitioning for 9G visas are fake corporations or non-entities.