22 June 2004—Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert expressed concern over reports that the Bureau of Immigration (BI) suspended one of its legal officers after being administratively charged for allegedly extorting money from four Saipan residents earlier this year.

“We have been closely monitoring this case as it has a direct bearing on our image as a people and how the international community views our government bureaucracy”, Secretary Albert said.  “I am confident that the Bureau of Immigration will leave no stone unturned in investigating the cases and, if warranted, prosecute those proven to have erred under the fullest extent of the law”, she added.

The lawyer, from the Bureau’s law and investigation division, was placed on preventive suspension for 90 days on the recommendation of the fact-finding committee that was formed to probe the alleged extortion incident.  The subject was charged with grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service after the committee found prima facie evidence that he demanded and received a substantial amount of money from the Saipan residents on the promise that he would work for their release from detention.

The case stemmed from the alleged detention of four Saipan residents for illegal recruitment of Filipino women entertainers.  It was alleged that the BI lawyer demanded P620,000.00 in exchange for their immediate release and voluntary deportation.  Senator Pete Reyes, brother of one of the accused, in a privilege speech before the CNMI Congress, warned of travel to the Philippines due to large-scale corruption.

“This latest development will dispel the notion of rampant corruption in the Philippines and settle an irritant in Philippine-CNMI relations”, the Secretary declared upon the suspension of the BI executive.

According to the chief of the fact-finding body, there may be other immigration personnel who might be charged and preventively suspended in connection with the incident as the committee’s investigation progresses.

The charges against the respondents will still be subject to formal investigation by the BI, where they will be given the chance to defend themselves, with or without a lawyer, during the hearing and investigation of the case.  END