Author Topic: DOJ Secretary rejects Sen. De Lima proposal to probe BI bribery scandal  (Read 323 times)

MikeLigalig.com

  • FOUNDER
  • Webmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 33284
  • Please use the share icons below
    • View Profile
    • Book Your Tickets on a Budget
DOJ Secretary rejects Sen. De Lima proposal to probe BI bribery scandal
By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Tuesday said there is no need to conduct a Senate inquiry into the alleged bribery attempt by Chinese businessman Jack Lam to some officials of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in exchange for the release of 1,316 Chinese workers arrested in illegal online casinos at the Clark Freeport in Pampanga.

This was the comment of Aguirre after Senator Leila de Lima filed under Senate Resolution No. 258, urging the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to inquire into the bribery scandal that has plagued the BI.

Aguirre said De Lima has the right to file but various of government agencies including the DOJ, BI, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Office of the Ombudsman are investigating the incident.

He noted De Lima should focus on the cases filed against her since there are cases also filed at the Office of the Ombudsman against the two former BI Deputy Commissioners.

”She (De Lima) has the right to file resolution pero dami na nag-investigate DOJ, NBI, BI (and) Ombudsman. Dapat magfocus siya sa kaso niya, no need na, sobra sobra na (cases filed). Hayaan na lang Ombudsman," he told reporters in a press conference.

He also said that if De Lima pushes for a Senate inquiry, she should explain and justify the need for it and cite what specific legislation she intends to pursue out of the controversy.

Reports showed that the BI officials received five paper bags allegedly containing Php10 million each (a total of Php50 million), from Lam's middleman, former police officer Wally Sombero, at the City of Dreams hotel and casino in Paranaque City, which was caught on CCTV.

Aguirre also believes that a Senate inquiry would just put "political colors" to the extortion issue and that Sen. de Lima's proposal seemed to be a mere "retaliation" to the string of drug trafficking and graft charges filed against her by the NBI over her alleged involvement in illegal drug trade.

Meanwhile, Aguirre said the NBI is still conducting its probe on the extortion scandal and has summoned Argosino and Robles, as well as BI commissioner Jaime Morente, dismissed BI intelligence chief Charles Calima Jr., and former police chief superintendent Wally Sombero, who supposedly served as Lam's middleman.

Argosino, Robles and Calima have all been dismissed from the BI. They surrendered the Php30 million and Php18 million cash they respectively received from Sombero, who also surrendered Php2 million.

Calima has filed plunder charges against Argosino and Robles before the Office of the Ombudsman. Argosino and Robles, on the other hand, filed criminal charges of corruption of public officials and violation of anti-wiretapping law before the Parañaque prosecutor's office against Calima, Sombero and Lam. (PNA)

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=84716.0
John 3:16-18 ESV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son (Jesus Christ), that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

👉 GET easy and FAST online loan at www.tala.com Philippines

Book tickets anywhere for planes, trains, boats, bus at www.12go.co

unionbank online loan application low interest, credit card, easy and fast approval

Tags: