Brothers and sisters, the modus operandi of those corrupt personnel in the Bureau of Immigration is both saddening and infuriating, as Sen. Risa Hontiveros revealed this past week.
This was exposed when the Senate conducted a hearing about the rising crimes related to the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGO. Aside from the allegations of sex trafficking, the hearing exposed a system of how immigration employees in airports were bribed by Chinese nationals who enter the country. According to witnesses, the amount of these bribes may reach around P10 billion, in the form of “kickbacks” received by corrupt immigration officials from the Chinese nationals that were given fast entry into the country for a P10,000 “service fee.” These fees are shared among the employees, and they receive these through rolled white papers that resemble pastillas. These fees are now placed in envelopes.
Despite the Duterte administration’s announcements that it has reduced corruption because of its strong campaign against graft and corruption, it is still evident that some government officials continue to illegally line their pockets. Immigration officials who attended the hearing said that they only found out about these bribes when they were exposed by a whistleblower, but based on the evidence presented, the amount of bribes pocketed by corrupt immigration officials and employees could amount to billions.
The Duterte administration still encourages investors from China to establish businesses in our country—including casinos. The Bureau of Immigration even claimed that the number of Chinese nationals who are in the country has reached 1.8 million. Hontiveros said that if 1 million of these entered the country with a “service fee” of P10,000, the amount would reach P10 billion in bribes received by corrupt immigration personnel.
The issues revolving around the POGO industry in the country—from prostitution to bribery benefiting corrupt employees—reflect the truth that love for money is the root of evil. According to the book of 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Those involved in this pastillas scheme may not have experienced yet the despair in life but now that we are informed of this evil act, surely they will see the fruit of the sins they have to pay. From our latest news, President Duterte dismissed every official and employee in the Bureau of Immigration involved in corruption. The question now is, will the law truly hold them accountable for what they have done?
What is also said in the social teachings of the Church, it is the responsibility of those with the authority to punish the people who committed wrongdoings and reward those who do good things. In this way, our leaders become instruments of correcting the perspective toward our freedom as people—the freedom that must not be used in order for us to do what we want, including taking bribes, but to uplift the good and serve God.
Brothers and sisters, let’s await the conclusion of the Senate hearing about POGOs and the corruption it has exposed. Those involved must be held accountable because corruption can never be concealed.
Make it a habit to listen to Radio Veritas 846 Ang Radyo ng Simbahan in the AM band, or through live streaming at www.veritas846.ph, and follow its Twitter and Instagram accounts @veritasph, and YouTube at veritas846.ph. For your comments,
e-mail veritas846pr@gmail.com.