Bureau of Immigration Speaks on ILBO against Individuals Linked To Flood Control Mess
The immigration bureau clarified that a lookout bulletin order cannot prevent individuals from leaving the Philippines.
Several members of the Senate and the House of Representatives are linked to the flood control issue in the Philippines. The supposed multi-billion flood control scam urged thousands of Filipinos to go out on the streets and protest against corruption.
The street protests took place last September 21. Amid the flood control issue wherein some dismissed officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have spoken, at least three (3) senators and several congressmen are accused of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control deals.
Among them are former Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez who both resigned from the top post in the Senate and the House. The presidential cousin was one of the names mentioned by controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya in their joint affidavit.
Romualdez denied the allegation. According to him, he stepped down from the House speakership to give way for the investigation to push through without undue influence. In the case of Sen. Chiz Escudero, he’s accused of allegedly receiving a P160-million kickback from flood control projects by form Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.
Aside from Escudero and Romualdez, senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva as well as congressmen Arjo Atayde, Roman Romulo, and Marcy Teodoro were also accused of allegedly receiving kickbacks from the flood control projects. The congressmen were accused by the Discayas who claimed that they had allegedly no choice but to ride on the supposed “system”.
Amid the flood control investigation, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI asked the Department of Justice to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order against the individuals linked to the flood control mess. Justice Sec. Boying Remulla immediately approved the ILBO on the following:
- Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero,
- Sen. Joel Villanueva
- Sen. Jinggoy Estrada
- Former House Speaker and Leyte Cong. Martin Romualdez
- Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
- Mayor Maria Lourdes “Nancy” Binay Angeles
- Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario G. Lipana
- Marilou Laurio-Lipana
- Education Undersecretary Trygve L. Olaivar
- Carlene Villa
- Maynard Ngu
- Cong. Roman Romulo (Pasig)
- Cong. James “Jojo” Ang (USWAG Ilonggo PL)
- Cong. Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas (Quezon City)
- Cong. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde (Quezon City)
- Cong. Nicanor “Nikki” Briones (AGAP PL)
- Cong. Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro (Marikina)
- Cong. Florida “Rida” Robes (San Jose del Monte)
- Cong. Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Romblon)
- Cong. Benjamin “Benjie” Agarao (Laguna)
- Former Cong. Florencio Gabriel “Bem” Noel (An Waray PL)
- Cong. Leody “Ode” Tarriela (Occidental Mindoro)
- Cong. Reynante “Reynan” Arogancia (Quezon Province)
- Former Cong. Marvin Rillo (Quezon City)
- Cong. Teodorico “Teodoro” Haresco, Jr. (Aklan)
- Cong. Antonieta Eudela (Zamboanga Sibugay)
- Cong. Dean Asistio (Caloocan)
- Cong. Marivic Co-Pilar (Quezon City)
- District Engr. Loida Busa
- “Bogs” Magalong
- District Engr. Ramon Devanadera
- District Engr. Johnny Protesta, Jr.
- District Engr. Arturo Gonzales Jr.
However, an immigration lookout bulletin order only directs the officials of the immigration bureau to monitor and record the movement of the subjects in and out of the country. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the bureau clarified that it cannot prevent individuals from leaving the country.
Dana Sandoval, the spokesperson of the immigration bureau, clarified that an immigration lookout bulletin order is not the same as a hold departure order or warrant of arrest. Furthermore, based on the report, the ILBO cannot track the final destinations of the subjects in case they would leave the country.
“With the lookout bulletin, hindi ito makakaantala ng biyahe of any individual subject of it unless may iba pang issues. Walang legal reason for BI to hold travel,” the immigration official said.
Amid the issue, incoming Ombudsman Boying Remulla assured the Filipinos quick actions on the flood control probe.