Sen. Risa Hontiveros. (Screen grab/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday questioned the absence of the alleged “pastillas” scam mastermind in President Rodrigo Duterte’s dressing down of immigration officials tagged in the bribery scandal.
Hontiveros, who led the Senate investigation that uncovered the scam, said she received information that former Bureau of Immigration (BI) Ports Operation Division (POD) chief Marc Red Mariñas was not among those the President summoned in Malacañang Monday night.
“Nakakuha kami ng update na si Red Mariñas ay wala doon sa mga tao ng BI na pinagalitan ni Presidente kagabi sa Malacañang, so iyun yung malaking tanong sa ngayon: Nasaan si Mariñas?” the senator said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel.
(We got an update that Red Mariñas was not among the BI people the President admonished last night in Malacañang, so the big question now is: Where is Mariñas?)
Mariñas is tagged by Senate whistleblowers as the alleged “ringleader” of the modus, wherein immigration officers purportedly extort money from Chinese nationals in exchange of their seamless entry into the Philippines.
Mariñas has repeatedly denied such allegations.
“This [Mariñas’ absence] is ironic in the context of yung recently sinabi ni Presidente na ilulunsad nilang all-out effort labas sa korapsyon,” Hontiveros went on.
“Ayon sa aming whistleblowers, si Red Mariñas so far ang pinakamataas na mastermind o boss na tinukoy nila, so why wasn’t he present for that dressing down?” she added.
(According to our whistleblowers, Red Mariñas is so far the highest mastermind or boss they are referring to)
Nevertheless, the senator welcomed the filing of charges against 86 personalities linked to the scam, including Mariñas.
“Magandang development ito na meron nang 86 na katao na diumano sangkot sa pastillas scheme at iba pang mga racket sa borders natin who are facing charges,” Hontiveros said.
(This is a good development, that there are 86 people allegedly involved in the pastillas scheme and other rackets in our borders who are facing charges.)
However, she pointed out that more “big fishes” should be held accountable.
“Hindi dito natatapos ang kuwento. Gusto nating mahuli yung malalaking isda. We want the big fish so this is not over yet,” she said.
(The story doesn’t end here. We want to capture the big fish.)