Aguirre claims plot to oust him as DOJ chief

MANILA, Philippines - Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II yesterday claimed there was a plot to oust him from the Department of Justice (DOJ) by people interested in his post, but the plotters were unsuccessful as he has the trust of President Duterte.

“Some people really want to grab my position, but they’re having a hard time because I still have the full support and confidence of the President,” he told reporters in an ambush interview.

“They really want me out because they are losing a lot of money because of our actions here,” he added.

Aguirre said he already knows who the people behind such plot were, but did not name them. He only hinted that the group includes people from both the government and private sector.

Rumors over the weekend had it that Aguirre could be replaced by Duterte following the P50-million extortion scandal at the Bureau of Immigration (BI), which is under his administrative supervision.

Aguirre earlier said he would step down from his post if he feels that he has lost the trust and confidence of the President over the controversy involving the illegal casino operations of Chinese gaming mogul Jack Lam in Clark Field, Pampanga.

But the DOJ chief quickly clarified that he believes he has not done anything wrong in handling Lam’s issue. 

It was Aguirre who led the raid on Lam’s gaming joint at Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino where 1,316 Chinese nationals were arrested last Nov. 24. He also exposed the attempt of Lam’s camp to bribe government officials to “fix” the irregularities in his casino operations.

The DOJ chief has recommended the dismissal from government of BI deputy commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles, who were tagged in the extortion controversy.

Aguirre lauded the President for approving his recommendation and sacking Argosino and Robles, their fraternity brothers in San Beda College of Law’s Lex Talionis who helped in the campaign for the presidency.

Argosino and Robles, who surrendered to the DOJ P30 million of the alleged extortion money last week, were also charged before the Office of the Ombudsman by former police chief superintendent Wally Sombero, who supposedly served as Lam’s middleman.

But before Duterte announced their dismissal, the two officials filed their resignation last Dec. 15.

Aguirre also ordered the dismissal of BI intelligence division chief Charles Calima Jr. and technical assistant for intelligence Edward Chan, who were implicated in the extortion controversy.

Argosino and Robles earlier claimed that P18 million went to Calima supposedly to be given to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente and newspaper columnist Ramon Tulfo, while P2 million was Sombero’s commission.

Calima, Sombero and Tulfo have all denied the allegations.

Aguirre has also tapped the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the controversy while the BI is conducting a parallel probe. No results have been released yet.