DOJ urges Viado's detractors to surface, show proof of allegations
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday, June 9, urged the detractors of Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado to surface and show proof of their allegations against him.
“Dito sa Department of Justice (Here at the DOJ), we have always been and will always be evidence-based,” DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV told journalists.
“Lumutang na sana ‘yung nagcomplain dahil ito naman ay isang safe space para sa kanila (We hope that those who have complained should surface because here they have a safe space),” Clavano assured.
He pointed out that it is at the DOJ “tina-try ‘yung mga admin cases ng mga BI officers (we try the administrative cases against BI officers).”
Clavano’s statements were issued amid the alleged “white paper” against Viado who has been accused of corruption like making moves in favor of persons involved with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).
The “white paper” that allegedly came from anonymous BI personnel has already been circulating and has allegedly reached Malacanang.
Without any evidence, Clavano pointed out the “white paper” is no different from “fake news.”
“So, kung meron silang ebidens’ya we would love to see them. Kung may supporting documents din sila, we would love to see them. (So if they have evidence we would love to see them. If they have supporting documents we would love to see them),” he said.
“Pero sa ngayon, kung white paper lang ‘yan (But at the moment, if it is just white paper), how can we act on something that is obscure, that is vague,” he added.
“Kung papatulan natin lahat ng ganyang klaseng reklamo mauubos talaga ang oras natin (our time will be wasted if take notice of that kind of complaint),” he also said.