MANILA, Philippines: Following a meeting with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco on Wednesday disclosed that he formed a fact-finding team that will dig deeper into the so-called "visa scam" after the agency discovered last year that more than 400 foreigners were petitioned by fake companies.
Tansgingco said that he met with the DOJ secretary last Monday to update him on the BI's ongoing investigation.
The BI reported to the DoJ last year the blacklisting of 459 aliens after the audit of its verification and compliance division (VCD) revealed that these foreigners have been using fake companies in their 9(g) visa application.
A 9(g) pre-arranged employment visa is a requisite for foreigners working in the Philippines.
He expressed belief that the more than 400 foreigners who have been blacklisted by the BI for being petitioned by fake companies is just the tip of the iceberg.
"During our initial investigation, at least 40 travel agencies and liaison officers are suspected of being involved in the scheme, and we reported to the SoJ (Secretary of Justice) a total of 116 employers found to be fake," said Tansingco.
"Last November, we recommended to the SOJ the cancellation of the visas of these aliens, as well as the issuance of show case orders against those who were involved in the application," added Tansingco.
"We also recommended the issuance of show cause orders against 4 BI lawyers and the abolition of the Legal Division's visa task force." he further said..
Tansignco said the ongoing investigation covers the alleged involvement of 4 BI lawyers.
In December, the BI released an advisory suspending the acceptance of applications of companies with single proprietorship as petitioners.
Tansingco said this was a result of his discussions with the DoJ chief as sole proprietorship companies were mostly used by the erring aliens, adding that they were keen on auditing visas issued within the last 5 years.
Tansingco said more would be blacklisted once the investigation is concluded.
"Once we discovered the scheme, we immediately informed the DOJ who approved our recommendations," said Tansingco. "As such, we have reorganized the visa-issuance procedures, palit lahat (change from) top to bottom, including the procedures in accepting, reviewing, assessing, up until the issuing of the visas. We think about 1,000 or more foreigners are petitioned by these fake companies," he said in English and Filipino.
Tansingco said he will not hesitate to recommend to the justice secretary the imposition of administrative disciplinary sanctions against BI personnel who are found to be involved in the fraudulent scheme.
Under civil service rules, the Secretary of Justice is the administrative disciplining authority of BI employees and personnel.
"Anti-corruption measures have always been on top of our priority list following the many issues that the BI has faced in the past," said Tansingco.
"That is why we have this auditing. These auditing and investigations are resulting in the uncovering of schemes that could have otherwise grown and festered. We are thankful to the SoJ for his continuous support in our initiatives to cleanse our ranks," he said.
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