BI chief Viado: Impartial probe to provide clarity on corruption allegations

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado on Wednesday welcomed the investigation into the corruption allegations within the bureau. 

Viado made the remark after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he is looking into the accusations of corruption at the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

“We respectfully acknowledge and welcome President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s statement regarding the need to look into the issues raised in the so-called BI white paper,” said Viado in a statement.

“We share the President’s view that transparency, fairness, and due process are essential in addressing matters of public concern,” he added. 

Viado also said the BI trusts that “an impartial and comprehensive investigation will bring clarity, establish accountability where warranted, and ultimately strengthen the public’s trust in our institutions.”

On Monday, the Immigration chief denied the corruption allegations against the BI, including the supposed mishandling of cases related to the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country.

The issue stemmed from a letter purportedly sent by BI employees to the President last week, in which they allegedly accused Viado of corruption. 

The BI employees—who wished to remain anonymous due to concerns of retaliation from Viado—mentioned in the letter the alleged corrupt practices under the present BI leadership, including the supposed mishandling of POGO-related cases and their deportation.

Viado has dismissed the letter as part of a “smear campaign.” 

He also accused a senior BI official of fueling the issue after the BI chief supposedly rejected his request to release a Chinese national linked to a powerful political figure from the previous administration. —VBL, GMA Integrated News