President Rodrigo Duterte has fired all officials and employees of the Bureau of Immigration who are allegedly involved in the "pastillas" scheme, February 20, Thursday.
The so-called "pastillas" scheme was revealed by Senator Risa Hontiveros in a Senate hearing earlier this week, it said that it allegedly involves airport and immigration personnel that supposedly receive kickbacks in exchange of the entry of Chinese people in the country.
The Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo announced it during a Palace briefing.
Panelo said that the President considers the scheme as an anomaly and a grave form of corruption that cannot be countenanced by the government.
On how many officials and employees will be affected by the President's order is still unclear.
The "pastillas" scheme is reportedly a Chinese that brought out a 10,000 service fee, which the 2,000 is to be divided among the officials of BI's Travel Control and Enforcement Unit. It is said that the remaining amount will be given to tour operators who will transport the Chinese from the airport to facilities of Philippine offshore gaming operations.
The scheme was called "pastillas" because the bribe money was rolled into a paper like the wrapping of the Filipino candy milk.
By: Denise Fajardo
Comments