Latest news with #MicoClavano
GMA Network
18-07-2025
- GMA Network
Taal Lake ops for missing sabungeros suspended due to bad weather
Search and retrieval operation for the missing sabungeros at Taal Lake was temporarily suspended on Friday due to inclement weather, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). Justice spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano said the operation was suspended at 9:29 a.m. 'Coast Guard Underwater Search Operations utilizing its Tech Divers and ROV was temporarily placed on standby due to continuous rainfall and surface runoff from the nearby river,' he said in a statement. 'Elevated turbidity levels significantly reduced underwater visibility, resulting in unfavorable condition for the conduct of any diving operations,' he added. Earlier, PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 in over 10 areas in Luzon as Tropical Storm Crising slightly intensified approaching Cagayan and Babuyan Islands. Crising is expected to make landfall over Cagayan or Babuyan Islands on Friday afternoon or evening. Last week, authorities started searching Taal Lake for the remains of the missing sabungeros. This came after whistleblower Julie 'Dondon' Patidongan claimed that more than 100 sabungeros were abducted, killed, and then dumped at Taal Lake. On Thursday, authorities recovered what appeared to be human ribs from the lake. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
09-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
DOJ urges BI employees to come forward amid corruption allegations
Justice spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano has urged the anonymous Immigration employees who reported alleged corruption in the agency to come forward and share their evidence with the Department of Justice (DOJ). 'Lumutang na sana yung mga nag complain dahil ito naman ay isang safe space para sa kanila. Eh dito nga tinatry ang mga admin cases ng mga BI officers eh, 'di ba? Dito hinahain ang mga 'yun. Dito talaga pino-process 'yun,' Clavano said in an ambush interview Monday. (I hope the complainants will come forward since this is a safe space for them. This is where the administrative cases against BI officers are tried. This is where those are filed. This is really where they're processed.) This came after Immigration personnel anonymously submitted a letter to the Office of the President to report the supposed corrupt practices under the present BI leadership, including the mishandling of POGO-related cases and their deportation. Clavano stressed that Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has repeatedly said that he wanted to clean the ranks of the Bureau of Immigration (BI). When asked if the DOJ will conduct its own internal investigation, Clavano said it has not yet reached that point as the only basis is the letter, calling it 'vague.' According to the spokesperson, the Justice Department is 'evidence-based.' 'Sana magbigay pa sila ng mas matibay na evidence, no, or mga supporting documents. Dahil sa tingin naman natin, we have followed the letter of the President's directive, which is to make sure that all POGOs are banned and deported out of the country,' Clavano said. (I hope they provide stronger evidence or supporting documents. Because we believe we have followed the president's directive to the letter, which is to ensure that all POGOs are banned and deported out of the country.) He also expressed hope that this is not an attempt to use the current political climate. 'Ngayon, sana naman hindi gamitin ang political climate, lalo na na may courtesy resignations ang mga head of agency, bilang channel or tool para mamulitika sa loob ng BI,' he said. (Now, I hope the political climate, especially with the courtesy resignations of agency heads, won't be used as a channel or tool for politicking within the BI.) For his part, BI Commissioner Joel Viado earlier denied the allegations against him. He dismissed the accusations as 'patently false' and dubbed it a 'smear campaign.' — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
