The Bureau of Immigration is adopting a one-strike policy against erring personnel in its bid to end graft and corruption in the service.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said he ordered the newly reconstituted Board of Discipline to “carefully assess complaints and reports against erring personnel."
The BI chief said he will immediately recommend to the Department of Justice the filing of administrative cases against offenders.
BI records showed 131 personnel have been suspended, dismissed, or dropped from the rolls for various offenses since 2016.
“We do not tolerate corruption amongst our ranks and we have strengthened the BOD to focus on ridding the office of misfits," Morente added.
The BOD is headed by lawyer Ronaldo P. Ledesma, who previously served as the BI OIC commissioner and OIC deputy commissioner.
The DoJ has assigned five additional lawyers to the BOD.
Under the one-strike policy, erring personnel who are subject of complaints and investigations will be relieved right away from their posts.
Morente had earlier lamented of having no disciplinary powers over Immigration employees, but the DoJ.
He urged the public to report any illegal activities to the BI hotline (02)86452400 or via messenger at Facebook.com/officialbureauofimmigration and Facebook.com/immigration.helpline.ph.