DOJ: 45 BI employees ordered dismissed over pastillas scam no longer reporting for work

The 45 personnel of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) who were dismissed for administrative offenses related to the pastillas scheme are no longer reporting for work, the Department of Justice said Monday.

This came after the Office of the Ombudsman on Sunday ordered the dismissal after it  found the officials “administratively liable for grave misconduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.”

“The Ombudsman Decision dismissing the 45 respondents is immediately executory,” Justice Asec. Neal Bainto said in a message to reporters.

“We have also received confirmation from the BI that they have received the said Decision and the said 45 BI employees are no longer reporting for work,” he added.

Under the scheme, the Chinese are allowed to enter the country without going through the appropriate Immigration formalities by paying P10,000.

According to Bainto, the penalty of dismissal also carries with it the perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility, bar from taking civil service examinations, and forfeiture of retirement benefits.

Bainto said the forfeiture of benefits pertains to possible benefits from the Government Service Insurance System.

“I'm still confirming if there are other retirement benefits peculiar only to BI. However, Terminal Leave Benefits and personal contributions to the GSIS are not subject to forfeiture,” he said.

Should any of the dismissed personnel be exonerated on Motion for Reconsideration or appeal, they shall be reinstated with payment of back wages and all benefits. — RSJ, GMA News