Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 27) — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the six-month preventive suspension without pay of 44 personnel of the Bureau of Immigration linked to the “pastillas” controversy.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires signed the order dated Monday, after the BI earlier reported discrepancies between the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth, and the salaries of some employees who were tagged in the controversial airport bribery scheme.
In an interview with CNN Philippines on Wednesday, BI Spokesperson Dana Sandoval admitted the suspension order affected the morale of the bureau’s employees.
Based on the order, which was sent to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, the suspension will be imposed on the following personnel:
– Erwin Ortañez
– Grifton Medina
– Glenn Comia
– Benlado Guevarra
– Danieve Binsol
– Deon Albao
– Arlan Edward Mendoza
– Anthony Lopez
– Cecille Jonathan Orozco
– Dennis Robles
– Bradford Allen So
– Vincent Bryan Allas
– Rodolfo Magbuhos Jr.
– Er German Robin
– Gabriel Estacio
– Ralph Ryan Garcia
– Phol Villanueva
– Abdul Fahad Calaca
– Danilo Deudor
– Mark Macababad
– Aurelio Lucero
– George Bituin
– Salahudin Hadjinoor
– Cherry Pie Ricolcol
– Chevy Chase Naniong
– Carl Jordan Perez
– Abdulhafez Hadji Basher
– Jeffrey Dale Ignacio
– Juan Carlo Gomez
– Clint John Simene
– Jhayson Albelda
– Asliyah Maruhom
– Jan Christian De Villa
– Jessica Anne Salvador
– Jennifer Timbreza
– Robern Michael Sarmiento
– Maria Victoria Jogno
– Catherine Mendoza
– Lorenz Arlei Bontia
– Paul Borja
– Hamza Pacasum
– Manuel Sarmiento
– Fidel Mendoza
– Dimple Mahyumi Mallari
The pastillas scheme, first brought to light in February, allegedly allowed Chinese nationals to enter the country without background checks in exchange for grease money. The operation was dubbed “pastillas” because money would be hidden in rolled bond paper like the wrapping for the milk candy.
According to Senator Risa Hontiveros, who is leading the Senate probe into the matter, the scheme has generated up to ₱40 billion in bribes.
“The morale is very low right now. It muddles all the efforts of BI in innovations in technologies and manpower, which has been all put into waste because what is being highlighted right now is this issue already,” Sandoval said.
Sandoval assured the suspension of their 44 officials will not affect the bureau’s overall operations, thanks to the low number of flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
