BI places 35 people on watchlist but not senators Enrile, Revilla, Estrada

Senators (from left) Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla: Not on watchlist. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday announced that it had placed in its “lookout bulletin” 35 people, who are facing plunder, malversation and/or graft charges in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada were not included on the watchlist.

“This is because they belong to the legislative body, which is considered an equal branch of the government and they made a pronouncement they would not leave the country,” BI spokesperson Ma. Angelica Pardo said.

She added that the three senators would be easy to spot if they opted to leave the country “because they are familiar faces” unlike the 35 others.

The lookout bulletin will prevent those charged from leaving the country without the consent of the Department of Justice.

Pardo said the list was signed by BI officer in charge Siegfred Mison late afternoon on Wednesday and was forwarded to the bureau’s computer section for encoding and dissemination.