Hontiveros commends Sandiganbayan for dropping raps vs. pastillas scam whistleblower

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Saturday commended the Sandiganbayan for its decision to drop the criminal charges against the whistleblower of the "pastillas" scam which has been linked to former officials and employees of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

"I commend the decision of the Sandiganbayan to drop criminal charges against 'pastillas' scam whistleblower Jeffrey Dale Ignacio, and to admit him as state witness against high-ranking immigration officials involved in criminal activity," Hontiveros said.

"I thank the anti-graft court for heeding our previous calls to consider Jeffrey’s cooperation with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality — which I lead as chairperson — during our probe on the 'pastillas' scam in the Bureau of Immigration (BI)," the lawmaker added.

The Sandiganbayan has granted state prosecutors' motion to amend the criminal information removing Immigration Officer III Jeffrey Ignacio as one of the accused in the "pastillas" scam.

Ignacio was a self-confessed member of the "pastillas" group who eventually became a whistleblower. During the hearing, it was also revealed that Ignacio signed an immunity deal with the Office of the Ombudsman, and that he will not serve as a witness for the prosecution.

At least 50 former Immigration officials and employees on Friday pleaded not guilty to graft charges filed against them in connection with the said scam, which allegedly allowed the illegal entry of Chinese citizens into the country in exchange for cash concealed in rolled paper wrapper, resembling the way the native sweet "pastillas" is presented.

Of the 50, thirty-five entered a not guilty plea while 15 others, including former Immigration deputy commissioner Marc Mariñas, entered no plea, prompting the anti-graft court to enter a not guilty plea for them.

Joel Ferrer, lawyer for Mariñas, said his client entered no plea since they are still questioning Sandiganbayan's jurisdiction on his client.

"Jeffrey’s detailed and valuable testimony has helped shine a light on the almost-institutionalized corruption in the BI, and helped identify some of the ‘big cats’ involved in this multi-billion peso racket. As a state witness, I hope his testimony will provide a big boost to the prosecution of these erring officials and employees," Hontiveros said.

The lawmaker alleged that the officials involved in the scam "enabled not only the illegal entry of countless Chinese nationals, but also the trafficking of Filipino women and children. Malaki ang kasalanan ng mga sangkot sa scam na ito sa ating bayan (Those involved in the scam have committed a big sin against the country.)

Hontiveros said whistleblowers like Ignacio should be given ample protection and assistance by the government "so that justice may be fully served and all those accountable for this scam put behind bars." —KG, GMA News