Morales opens parallel probe on 2 BI execs

Conchita Carpio Morales

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has initiated an investigation of two Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials, saying it would be “more proper” for the antigraft body to conduct the probe than the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“I directed this morning to check in on the case and see if we can on motu proprio [on its own] start our own investigation,” she said at the Meet Inquirer Multimedia forum on Tuesday.

Morales pointed out that the DOJ exercised supervision and control over the officials because the bureau was its attached agency.

Because of this, she said her investigators would conduct a probe “parallel” to that ordered by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, which he disclosed to reporters on Sunday.

Associate Immigration Commissioners Michael Robles and Al Argosino were accused of extorting P50 million from Macau-based online gambling operator Jack Lam, in exchange for the release of 1,316 illegally employed Chinese nationals, who were arrested in a raid in Clark, Pampanga province, last month.

The two commissioners, who were appointed by President Duterte, their fraternity brother, in August, admitted to receiving P48 million of the amount on Tuesday, but said they meant to keep it as “future evidence of corruption of public officials.”