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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gatchalian seeks inquiry into alleged corruption, misconduct in BI leadership

Gatchalian seeks inquiry into alleged corruption, misconduct in BI leadership

Published Jun 14, 2025 06:04 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Win Gatchalian called for stricter enforcement of anti-POGO policies as well as a Senate investigation into the Bureau of Immigration (BI) amid allegations of corruption and mishandling of POGO-related deportations.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is seeking to conduct an inquiry into the allegations of corruption and misconduct raised by some concerned Bureau of Immigration (BI) employees against the agency's leadership.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian
Gatchalian said this as he called for stricter enforcement of the country’s anti-Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO) policy, particularly in the handling of POGO deportations.
“The improper implementation of the country’s anti-POGO policy concerning the detention and deportation of foreign nationals involved in POGOs may create loopholes in our anti-POGO framework and allow nefarious POGO actors to continue their operations,” said Gatchalian, who is set to file Senate Resolution (SR) No. 1381.
Gatchalian, who led the advocacy to ban POGO operations from the country, emphasized that the improper deportation of POGO-related foreign nationals may allow them to escape liability.
Earlier this month, unnamed BI employees sent a letter to the President, and accused the agency’s top official of overstepping authority by expediting bail for foreign nationals tied to POGOs, including influential POGO figures.
The employees also claimed that a new scheme has emerged involving the auctioning of permanent quota visas to the highest bidder.
“Kailangan nating ituwid ang katiwalian sa ahensyang inaasahang nagpapatupad ng batas at punan ang pagkukulang sa ating mga regulasyon (We need to correct the corruption in the agency that is expected to enforce the law and address the gaps in our regulations),” Gatchalian said.

Related Tags

Bureau of Immigration Sherwin Gatchalian POGO
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