'Pastillas' scheme in BI rooted in greed, corruption —Lacson

The "pastillas" scheme that involves some Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers is rooted in greed and corruption and not from lack of benefits, according to Senator Panfilo Lacson on Friday.

"Suspension or termination of overtime pay and non-inclusion in the salary hike of other government employees should never be a reason for corrupt BI personnel to justify the illegal acts they commit to augment their income. That is crap, and I am not buying it," Lacson said in a statement.

"While the Bureau of Immigration's reshuffle of its airport personnel may be a step in the right direction, it will have little success if it does not eradicate greed and corruption," he added.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente has ordered the reshuffle of all personnel assigned at Ninoy Aquino International Airport's (NAIA) Terminals 1 to 3 amid the investigations on the bribery scheme.

The modus' name was derived from the Filipino dessert "pastillas" (rolled-up sweet, sticky mass) because the bribe money that some BI personnel allegedly received were delivered rolled up inside bond papers.

During a Senate hearing, whistleblower Allison Chiong—an Immigration Officer 1—said the scheme started when the overtime pay for BI officers was removed in 2012.

“To cope with the substantial deduction of their salaries, some immigration officers decided to officer VIP services for immigrants who are casino high-rollers. This VIP service involved immigration officers accepting P2,000 for each high rollers in exchange for the latter’s convenient and seamless immigration,” Chiong said.

Lacson reiterated that government employees must not resort to corrupt practices, no matter how challenging their duties may be.

"Noong pumasok kami bilang mga kawani ng gobyerno, alam naman namin ang mga limitations, even sacrifices, as well as the benefits that go with being in public service. But even the so-called benefits are governed by rules and regulations, and should not put us above our counterparts in the private sector," he said. —Dona Magsino/KBK, GMA News