The Senate on Wednesday adopted the committee report recommending charges against individuals allegedly involved in the “pastillas” bribery scheme at the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
Committee Report No 542, signed by 11 senators, was approved by the upper house more than two years since the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality started its investigation.
Under the scheme, Chinese nationals could seamlessly enter the country by paying P10,000. The name “pastillas” came about because the bribe money was given in paper rolls that looked like the Philippine treat.
According to Senator Risa Hontiveros, chair of the panel, the combined revenues from the pastillas kickbacks and visa upon arrival (VUA) scheme is estimated to be in the billions of pesos.
“We recommend the filing of criminal cases against Marc Red Mariñas, Erwin Ortanez, Bienlado Guevara, Arlan Mendoza, Fidel Mendoza, Jonathan Orozcol, Grifton Medina, Glenn Ford Comia, Deon Carlo Albao, Rodolfo Magbuhos, Anthony Lopez, Danieve Binsol, Dennis Robles, Bradford Allen So, Gabriel Etacio, Ralph Ryan Garcia, Phol Villanueva, Abdul Calaca, Danilo Deudor, Marc Macababad, Cherie Ricolcol, Abduhafez Hadjibasher, Amboy Lucero and George Bituin and Salahudin Hadjinoor for violations of RA No. 3019 or the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, without prejudice to other charges that may be levied against them including but not limited to violations of Republic Act No. 9208 or the…
