BI sacks 36 employees, suspends 40 others over various cases

Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration on Friday said it has kicked out 36 officials and employees and suspended more than 40 others from the service over the last year for various administrative cases such as corruption.

Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said the action taken against the erring employees was a result of the bureau’s continuing campaign against corruption, part of which was the creation of a complaint redress section.

The section is where grievances against crooked staff members of the bureau can be aired either through letters or phone calls even by walk-in visitors, explained David in a statement on Friday.

The bureau chief said his office under his watch has been “very decisive” in investigating administrative complaints against BI officials and employees.

He disclosed that since March last year, 36 employees have been dismissed from the service while 41 others were suspended due to various offenses, which the official did not disclose. He also added that six more employees were dropped from the rolls and six others were given a reprimand.

“We have consistently demonstrated a resolve to reform our practices and professionalize our ranks,” said David on the eve of the agency’s 72nd anniversary.  For years, the BI has been perceived as among the government agencies ridden with graft.

David on Friday urged those with complaints against immigration employees not to hesitate airing and filing their complaints through the CRS as he vowed to persevere in his efforts to professionalize the bureau’s ranks.

He noted that the Civil Service Commission has earlier cited the BI for being the first agency to submit an enhanced performance management system.

“Soon, we shall be introducing a Strategy Performance Management System to institutionalize the process of measuring and evaluating the performance of our employees on a regular basis,” he said.

So far, the bureau has also improved its transparency by cutting red tape, according to David. He added that the CSC also cited the bureau for the fast and efficient manner it delivers its frontline services to the public.

“We also came up with a revised citizen’s charter and help desks and saw to it that the ‘no noon break’ policy is strictly observed by our offices,” said David.