
BI chief denies corruption allegations in anonymous ‘white paper'
Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado publicly denied a string of corruption and misconduct allegations leveled against him by anonymous employees of the agency, calling the accusations 'patently false' and the product of a 'well-funded smear campaign.'
The allegations surfaced in a letter dated June 2 and reportedly sent to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The letter, obtained by the Inquirer, claims that Viado abused his authority by facilitating the special release of foreign nationals linked to illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), bypassed standard deportation procedures, and was involved in questionable transactions related to quota visas and procurement processes.
The anonymous employees expressed concern that, if left unaddressed, the issues could damage both the integrity of the Bureau and the image of the Marcos administration.
Responding to inquiries from the media, Viado said he would have preferred to ignore the 'handiwork of shadowy characters hiding beneath the mask of 'concerned employees,'' but acknowledged the need to present his side.
'All the allegations contained in the alleged 'white paper' are patently false,' he said. 'We have already identified the parties behind this orchestrated and well-funded campaign aimed at shoving the agency into negative limelight once again. We shall expose these parties at the appropriate time and venue.'
Viado disclosed that he had received warnings about possible retaliation from vested interests whose underground operations were disrupted by reforms currently being implemented at the BI. He claimed that some of those behind the campaign were former insiders who had been subject to the agency's one-strike policy or had personal grievances over denied requests.
According to Viado, a senior BI official who now 'pretends to be a whistleblower,' previously attempted to pressure his office into releasing a Chinese national with alleged political connections to the past administration. He believes his refusal to accommodate that request may have triggered the campaign to discredit him.
'I have disregarded these warnings because the mandate I accepted was never about protecting myself, but about cleaning up a system long plagued by abuse,' Viado stated. 'If the price of reform is to be the target of black propaganda, then so be it.'
The commissioner reiterated that the Bureau is prepared to fully cooperate with any investigation that may be initiated by relevant government bodies. 'Should any pertinent agency of the national government decide to look into the supposed 'allegations,' I reiterate the commitment of the Bureau to lend its fullest support,' he said, noting that he had already extended the same assurance to the committee of Senator Imee Marcos.
Viado also confirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) had been informed of the situation, including the identities and motives of the individuals believed to be behind what he described as an 'orchestrated campaign' against his leadership. He warned those responsible that they 'shall be exposed in due time,' insisting that the public deserves the truth.
'It is unfortunate that these interests are using the name of the hardworking men and women of the Bureau to mask themselves and their hideous agenda,' Viado said. 'No amount of smear will stop us from continuing our efforts at reforms in the agency. The truth will stand.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Al Etihad
2 hours ago
- Al Etihad
High-level trade talks between China and US kick off in London
9 June 2025 17:59 LONDON (dpa)Businesses and policymakers are watching closely as high-level trade talks between the United States and China began in London on Monday, with hopes of defusing tensions between the world's largest has dispatched Vice Premier He Lifeng for the negotiations while the United States is to be represented by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson state media reported the talks kicked off on Monday afternoon.A spokesperson for the British government confirmed only that the meeting will take place in the UK and that the country "welcomes the dialogue."Issues up for discussion are likely to include US restrictions on the sale of high-tech products to China, and China's restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals, where it dominates the global President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on the meeting in a phone call on is the first since a meeting in Switzerland in May when tariffs on both sides were cut back to Trump, the talks will focus on the details of the May trade agreement. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called on China to keep its side of the agreement to pave the way for a more comprehensive the phone call between the two presidents, China has also called on the US to stick to the agreement, while refraining from criticism. Beijing has urged the US to evaluate objectively the progress made and withdraw negative measures directed at China.


Filipino Times
5 hours ago
- Filipino Times
Gov't issues new rules to speed up delivery of OFW balikbayan boxes
The Philippine government has introduced new regulations aimed at expediting the delivery and improving the security of balikbayan boxes sent by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). This comes in response to numerous complaints about undelivered, delayed, or missing boxes, and growing concerns over fraudulent freight forwarding services. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), together with other key government agencies, signed a Joint Administrative Order (JAO) on Monday at the DMW Central Office, outlining a coordinated government effort to regulate sea cargo forwarders, protect OFWs from scams, and ensure their packages reach recipients safely and on time. The initiative supports the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to prioritize the needs and welfare of OFWs. The administrative order was developed following investigations and public hearings conducted by the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs (HCOWA), which identified regulatory loopholes and a lack of accountability mechanisms that have long plagued balikbayan box shipments. 'This JAO is the product of sustained collaboration and strong legislative oversight,' said DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac. The administrative order establishes a comprehensive framework to monitor and regulate freight forwarding services. It also introduces a multi-agency complaints and tracking system to help OFWs report issues and follow up on the status of their packages. Additionally, a nationwide public information campaign will warn against using unaccredited cargo services and educate OFWs on their rights and available support. Since 2023, the DMW and BOC have helped retrieve and deliver over 9,900 balikbayan boxes. Just last week, 2,500 more boxes were recovered at the Port of Davao and are currently being prepared for free delivery to recipients in Mindanao. To support OFWs affected by unrecovered shipments, the DMW has made ₱30,000 in financial assistance available through its AKSYON Fund. The program now operates under expanded guidelines to speed up aid and include more beneficiaries.


Filipino Times
8 hours ago
- Filipino Times
DMW opens first global OFW center in Hong Kong to enhance gov't services for migrant workers
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officially inaugurated the first-ever OFW Global Center in Hong Kong. Located on the 18th floor of United Center in Admiralty, the facility aims to bring government services closer to OFWs and improve the delivery of assistance abroad. The launch was led by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, together with House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Representative Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, Philippine Consul General to Hong Kong Romulo Victor M. Israel Jr., and OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan. Around 400 OFWs, organizational leaders, partner agencies, and key stakeholders were in attendance. The Center stands as a testament to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s continued commitment to OFWs, offering a whole-of-government approach to streamline and improve public service delivery. 'When an OFW is in distress or needs help, the President's directive is clear: assist the OFW—and not just the OFW, but also check on their families,' said Secretary Cacdac. He also announced plans to bolster the legal services offered by the government in Hong Kong to better protect the rights and welfare of OFWs. The Global Center functions as a one-stop shop where migrant workers can process documents, request financial, medical, and legal assistance, access free training, attend seminars, or simply relax at the 'Migrant's Brew' lounge—complete with computers and unlimited coffee. In his keynote message, Speaker Romualdez reaffirmed Congress's full support for legislation that empowers OFWs: 'Every tear shed in the pursuit of a better future for your families is not in vain. We in government will fight for your rights and your dreams. Let this Center stand as a symbol of that promise—real service, not just words,' he said. OFW Nympha Llada Collado, a domestic worker in Hong Kong for 13 years, expressed her gratitude: 'Now we have a place to go when we're off-duty. It's a big help for our organizations, for skills training, and just to have a space to connect, learn, and rest.' The event also featured the awarding of HKD 116,316 (approx. PHP 825,000) in aid to 11 OFWs under the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo Para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund.