Marcos probes corruption allegations vs BI chief

Viado links smear job to detained ‘POGO financier’

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is looking into the corruption claims against Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, President Marcos said yesterday following an alleged complaint submitted by BI employees.

Marcos made the remark amid the circulation of a “white paper,” accusing Viado of corrupt practices.

The letter was reportedly received by the Office of the President on June 5.

“Well, first, we are looking into it. But you know this – it’s hard to study a white paper that was not signed and there’s no specifics,” Marcos said.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), which has supervision over the BI, earlier said it could not act on unsubstantiated claims of corruption against Viado.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said she was able to talk to DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano about the supposed complaint of BI employees.

“If you have complaints, just provide evidence even if you don’t want to identify yourself. So there is reason to conduct a more in-depth investigation,” Castro told reporters.

Viado, in a statement yesterday, said the smear job against him was allegedly linked to detained Chinese businessman Tony Yang, the brother of former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang.

“First, it is a fact that there was an attempt to get Tony Yang released on bail by virtue of a resolution, which was drafted and passed during my absence. This was a clear effort to slip this resolution past me,” Viado said. “Upon my return, I gave strict instructions to ensure that this resolution is rescinded.”

Yang, believed to be a Philippine offshore gaming operator financier, was arrested by immigration personnel on Sept. 19, 2024 for his alleged involvement in human trafficking.

“I have been asked if the rejection of the request on behalf of Yang was the reason why the BI is now being publicly vilified. I do not know. Only the perpetrator of the vilification effort can answer that,” Viado said.

He refused to name the people or group behind the alleged smear campaign against him.

According to Viado, he has informed Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla about the matter.

The National Bureau of Investigation has filed 16 complaints for falsification of public documents and perjury against Yang.

He was also accused of misrepresenting himself as a Filipino, in violation of the anti-alias law.

Yang remains in the custody of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission. — Bella Cariaso