Hontiveros panel recommends raps vs individuals in ‘pastillas’ scam
MANILA, Philippines — A Senate panel has recommended the filing of criminal charges against individuals involved in the “pastillas” scheme.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who led a series of hearings into the scam as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, issued on Wednesday the executive summary of her panel’s committee report.
“The combined revenue streams from the pastillas kickbacks and the VUA (visa upon arrival) kickbacks is estimated to be in the billions of pesos,” the summary read.
READ: P40B kickback through ‘pastillas’ scheme, VUA issuances bared
The committee report, which is being routed among the panel’s members for their signature, recommended that charges be filed to those involved in the scam for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), “without prejudice to other charges that may be charged.”
The panel report also recommended the filing of charges in alleged violation of Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act), Republic Act No. 7080 or An Act Defining and Penalizing the Crime of Plunder and of Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Among the immigration personnel recommended facing charges are the alleged “masterminds” of the scheme, 11 “Viber administrators” involved in facilitating the modus, and eight “Chinese suppliers.”
Aside from this, the report also recommended further investigation on the possible liability of former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II for his appointment of former ports operation division chief Marc Red Mariñas and his issuance of Department Order No. 41, which Hontiveros said allowed Mariñas and his father to have “wide discretion” over the approval of VUAs.
Mariñas was earlier tagged as the “ringleader” of the scam, an allegation he has repeatedly denied. His father, Maynard, is the retired head of the Special Operations Communications Unit of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
READ: Whistleblower tags ‘pastillas’ racket boss in Senate probe
To recall, Hontiveros first exposed the “pastillas” modus in February 2020. At the time, she presented a video of an immigration officer escorting Chinese nationals to BI’s inner office, seemingly validating the Chinese nationals’ identity against a list with a supervisor.
She also showed screenshots—provided for by one of her panel’s whistleblowers—of Viber groups containing names, flight details and photos of the “VIP” Chinese nationals.
READ: A P10 billion scheme: Alleged ‘pastillas’ modus in BI exposed in Senate hearing
“Kung akala nila napatahimik nila ang imbestigasyon ukol sa pastillas scam, nagkakamali sila. Oras na para todong i-overhaul ang Bureau of Immigration,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
(If they think the investigation on the pastillas scam has now been silenced, they are wrong. It’s time to overhaul the Bureau of Immigration.)
“Dalawang taon ang ginugol ng imbestigasyong ito dahil desidido tayong mapanagot ang mga tunay na may sala,” she added.
(We have spent two years investigating this because we are adamant on exacting accountability.)
Before Hontiveros’ panel unfolded the “pastillas” scheme, the senator initially held several hearings that looked into sex trafficking linked with Philippine offshore gaming operators. Her investigation also covered the outbound trafficking of Filipino women.
READ: BI relieves immigration officers linked to ‘outbound pastillas’
“Malakas ang ebidensya natin — mula sa napakaraming screenshots hanggang sa testimonya mismo ng ating mga whistleblowers na taga-BI rin,” Hontiveros went on.
(We have strong evidence — from the myriad of screenshots to the testimony of our whistleblowers.)
Hontiveros then called for the strengthening of checks and balance mechanisms within the BI.
“Bigyan natin ng hustisya ang ating kababaihan at kabataan. Kasuhan ang may anomalya, panagutin ang may sala,” she added.
(Let us give justice to our women and children. File charges to anonymous individuals, those who have done wrong should be made accountable.)
