Marilyn Cahatol

Marcos Jr. on BI chief corruption allegations: 'Hard to study unsigned white paper'

Article (news)

Pia Gutierrez

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — President Ferdinand &quot;Bongbong&quot; Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, June 10, said he is looking at the corruption allegations against Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, but found the case hard due to the lack of specifics in the white paper used as evidence.</p><p>&quot;Well, of course, we&#x27;re looking at it. But, you know, it&#x27;s hard to study a good white paper that was not signed and there&#x27;s no specifics. But nonetheless, everything like this, we look into it and we will continue to do that,&quot; he said during an ambush interview. </p><p>Reports said a letter sent to the Office of the President alleged Viado of corruption practices in handling the now-illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) and the deportation of foreigners. </p><p>Viado denied the allegations, saying this was done by individuals whose underground operations were affected by the reforms in BI.</p><p>&quot;So, for the record, I unequivocally state that all the allegations contained in the alleged &#x27;white paper&#x27; are patently false,&quot; he said in a statement.</p><p>Palace Press Officer Claire Castro urged concerned Immigration employees to provide evidence to support their accusation which will lead to a deeper investigation.</p><p>“Ang sinasabi (ng Department of Justice) mas maganda kung may reklamo ay may ebidensya rin na nakapaloob. Mahirap po kung white paper lang at walang ebidensya na isinumite dahil mauubos ang oras ng DOJ kung puro white paper lamang po ang kanilang pagtutuunan ng pansin,” Castro said.</p><p>“So hinihikayat po kung kayo ay may reklamo, kahit hindi na kayo magpakilala ibigay nyo lang po ang ebidensya para magkaroon ng dahilan para magkaroon ng mas malalim na pag-iimbestiga.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/9/doj-asks-bi-employees-to-provide-evidence-on-allegations-vs-viado-1634">DOJ asks BI employees to provide evidence on allegations vs immigration chief Viado</a></div><p>The BI was criticized early this year due to the escape of former Bamban City, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo through the Tawi-tawi &quot;backdoor.&quot;</p><p>Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who is involved in the qualified human trafficking cases in the POGO hub Lucky South 99, was also alleged to have used the same route to escape.</p><p>A House Quad Committee hearing on Monday revealed that more than 9,000 Chinese POGO workers were still in the Philippines, despite their visas having expired.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/9/at-least-9-000-chinese-pogo-workers-still-in-ph-paocc-1545">At least 9,000 Chinese POGO workers still in PH: PAOCC</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cF8DhkhFMg4?si=kq3-SGEBN0n04AMk" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, June 10, said he is looking at the corruption allegations against Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, but found the case hard due to the lack of specifics in the white paper used as evidence.</p>

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, June 10, said he is looking at the corruption allegations against Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, but found the case hard due to the lack of specifics in the white paper used as evidence.