Commissioner Jaime Morente announced that the Bureau of Immigration (BI) would implement a one-strike policy against erring employees as part of its intensified drive against corruption.
Morente ordered the BI’s newly-reconstituted Board of Discipline to “carefully assess complaints and reports against erring personnel” and added that if found to have merit, immediately recommend to the Department of Justice the filing of administrative cases against them.
As per BI’s records from 2016, 131 personnel have been suspended, dismissed, and dropped from the rolls for different offenses.
“We do not tolerate corruption amongst our ranks,” said Morente. “In support of the President’s intensified drive against corruption, we have beefed up our Board of Discipline (BOD) to focus on cleaning up the Bureau,” he added.
Lawyer Ronaldo P. Ledesma, who previously served as the Bureau’s OIC Commissioner and OIC Deputy Commissioner, leads the BOD. DOJ also assigned five additional lawyers to the BOD.
Also read: Public may report corrupt activities to task force – DOJ exec
BI imposes one-strike policy on erring personnel
Under the one-strike policy, erring personnel subject of complaints and investigations will be relieved from their posts immediately.
The BI chief earlier lamented, having no disciplinary powers over employees of the bureau. “What we really need is a change in law,” said Morente. “The current immigration law does not give us disciplinary powers over employees. The set-up now is we are merely recommendatory to the DOJ. If administrative control was to be given to the BI, if we find someone involved in improper activities in the morning, we can immediately implement a suspension in the afternoon,” he shared.
The BI chief also urged the public to report any illegal activities to the BI’s hotline +632 86452400 or via messenger at Facebook.com/officialbureauofimmigration and Facebook.com/immigration.helpline.ph.
Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar likewise said the public may give information to the mega task force investigating the government-wide corruption.
She said those who personally witnessed corrupt activities may testify in the event charges are filed against the officials involved.
She added DOJ’s Witness Protection Program may protect potential witnesses who fear their safety.