Escudero: Pogo investigations show ‘negligence’ of gov’t agencies
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Friday took a jab at several government agencies, saying that the investigations on illegal Pogos show their “negligence.”
In a press conference, Escudero mentioned government agencies that are responsible for granting working permits and assessing the identities of the Chinese citizens involved in Pogo activities.
“Itong mga imbestigasyon sa Pogo, pinapakita ang kapalpakan ng ahensya ng pamahalaan. Pangunahin na dyan, nabanggit ko no’ng nakaraan, ang Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Paano nga ba nakakapagproduce ng birth certificates na hindi naman pala totoo ang nakalagay doon?” Escudero said.
(These investigations on Pogo show the failure of government agencies. Primarily is the Philippine Statistics Authority. How are birth certificates produced when the information is incorrect?)
He expressed that the fake birth certificate schemes should be stopped, highlighting the document’s importance in securing government identification cards.
“Tiyakin na may second balance tayo sa PSA. Sa panahon ng AI, walang dahilan para hindi nila matunton at mapigilan ang pamemeke sa loob ng ahensya nila mismo,” he noted.
(Make sure that we have a second balance in PSA. In the age of AI, there is no reason for them not to locate and stop the fraud inside their agency.)
Senators on Tuesday called on concerned state agencies to probe the reports of 1,200 Chinese who allegedly obtained Filipino citizenships by securing fake birth certificates. Suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo was believed to have allegedly acquired her Filipino citizenship illegally through late registration of her birth certificate.
Escudero also mentioned the instances of Chinese nationals who have been “illegal aliens” in the country.
“Pangalawa ay ang Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID). Bakit? Sa dinami-rami ng illegal na Pogo na naraid, karamihan ng mga nahuhuling Chinese nationals na nandoon ay illegal aliens na. Pumasok bilang mga turista, walang hawak na work permit. Kung mayroon man ay expired na. Bakit tila wala silang kaalam-alam o ginagawa kaugnay nito?” he said.
(Second is the BID. Why? In the many raids on illegal Pogos, most of the Chinese nationals apprehended are illegal aliens. They entered as tourists and don’t have work permits, or if they do, they’re expired. Why do they seem unaware or inactive regarding this?)
Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo filed House Resolution No. 1771 that seeks to probe the possible abuse of the two programs offered to foreign nationals, namely the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) and the Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV).
Tulfo received reports that foreign nationals, most of them Chinese, were using the SRRV, despite being aged 35 to 50, to stay in the country and eventually work for Pogos even though they were ordinary employees.
READ: Probe into reported abuse of special visa programs pushed
Lastly, Escudero noted the “disjoint” between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Bureau of Immigration.
“Lahat ng iniissue nilang visa sa iba’t bang konsulado sa iba’t ibang parte ng bansa, kabilang na ang China, ay puro tourist visa. Bagaman ang intensyon ay magtrabaho dito, at ang ginagawa ay magpaconvert na lang ng visa dito sa pamamagitan ng BID,” Escudero said.
(All the visas issued in different consulates in different parts of the country, including China, are mostly tourist visas. While the intention is to work here, what they do is convert visas through BID.)
Escudero also shared that there is no information sharing between the DFA and BID on the number of visas they have issued. He also questioned the accuracy of data on issued tourist visas submitted to the Department of Tourism.
“Dapat ba nating ihiwalay ‘yong tourist arrivals na binibilang natin at ‘yong magtatrabaho na nagpaconvert ng working visa para mas accurate, para naman mas tama, mas angkop ang datos at pagpaplano natin?”
(Should we separate the tourist arrivals and the ones who converted for working visas for more accurate and appropriate data and planning?)
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the submission of “blatantly fake” documents by visa applicants is the number one problem of Philippine consular officers in China.
