Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that he believes that the arrest of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo will shed light on many issues regarding her departure.
Tansingco said that the upcoming hearings and investigations on Guo will likely reveal more about the manner in which the former Mayor left the country illegally.
Meanwhile, Tansingco addressed recent concerns raised during the Senate hearing regarding the designation of an official who lawmakers say are involved in the “pastillas” scheme.
Senator Risa Hontiveros questioned the appointment of Vincent Bryan Allas as head of the Border Control and Intelligence Unit (BCIU), stating that he was dismissed by the Ombudsman in 2022.
Tansingco acknowledged the concern and assured the public that the BI remains committed to transparency and accountability. He stated that Allas had been designated following thorough evaluation after his case was dismissed by the Court of Appeals (CA) last January 2024.
“The Bureau of Immigration continues to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct in its operations. While we recognize the gravity of the past incidents, it is equally important to recognize that individuals are entitled to due process and given that his case was dismissed by the CA, he remains eligible to be given positions of responsibility in the Bureau,” said Tansingco. He added that “he has since been performing his duties to the Bureau’s expectations and has demonstrated improvements in the performance of the BCIU.”
Tansingco said that they constantly review performances of employees, and conducts comprehensive assessment of all personnel.
The BI Chief reiterated the Bureau’s stance on the issue. “Our commitment to justice and integrity remains unwavering. While we understand the concerns raised, we ensure that all personnel decisions are made with careful deliberation. The Bureau is closely monitoring all appointments to ensure that our standards of accountability are upheld.”
He also clarified that the BCIU does not have a hand in immigration processing at formal ports but rather conducts intelligence gathering at airports.
Guo faces deportation charges with the BI for undesirability and misrepresentation.
