NBI official, brother charged with graft, extortion over pastillas scheme probe

An official from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and his brother face criminal charges in court for allegedly extorting money from Bureau of Immigration personnel tagged in the "pastillas scheme."

The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed extortion and graft charges against NBI legal assistance chief Joshua Paul Capiral and his brother Christopher John, an immigration officer, before the Manila Regional Trial Court on Friday, Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon said Monday.

Joshua Paul was also indicted for violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, particularly for his alleged unauthorized private practice of his profession while in government service.

The DOJ recommended bail of P100,000 each for the extortion charge, P90,000 each for graft, and P30,000 for the charge for violation of the Code of Conduct.

The DOJ dismissed the complaint for violation of Executive Order No. 608, which established a national security clearance system for government personnel with access to classified matters.

The complaints for other violations of the anti-graft law and of the Code of Conduct were referred for preliminary investigation.

The brothers were arrested last week for allegedly taking bribes from immigration personnel in exchange for their exclusion from criminal charges over the "pastillas scheme," in which Chinese high-rollers and offshore gaming workers are allowed to enter the country without going through the proper immigration process.

The NBI earlier filed a complaint against 19 BI personnel who were allegedly involved in the scheme.

NBI officer-in-charge Eric Distor previously said the complaint covers only the first batch of respondents. — BM, GMA News