Lawyer Joel Anthony Viado is officially the new Bureau of Immigration (BI) commissioner after Malacañang formalized his appointment. He was previously designated as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the agency.
Viado replaced then BI chief Norman Tansingco, who was sacked over his “unsatisfactory performance” to lead the bureau.
Since Viado is now the head of the bureau, among his duties is the authority to implement changes including the moving of personnel.
Viado, who reportedly took his oath of office in Malacañang, has yet to issue a statement with regards to his new assignment as immigration chief.
The BI Commissioner was appointed as OIC by Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla in the first week of September replacing former Commissioner Tansingco.
Remulla explained that he was “not satisfied” with Tansingco’s performance.
The Justice secretary expressed his disappointment over the former Immigration chief’s lack of action and failure to manage matters in ways that have “compromised national security.”
“This has been a big problem for the longest time, we have not been lacking in reminders to the Immigration Commissioner about these problems,” he said.