Bong Go warns those involved in pastillas scheme: "huwag ninyong hintayin na ipakain sa inyo ang pastillas na pera na kinotong ninyo ang laman"

During a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go warned Bureau of Immigration personnel involved in the pastillas scheme where immigration officers allegedly collected money from foreign nationals to allow their seamless entry into the country.

"Early this year, this 'pastillas' scheme was brought to light. Ngayon, October na po and it would seem that the masterminds behind this deceitful act of corruption have not yet been made to pay for their transgressions. What's worse is that the very people who have the responsibility of putting these criminals behind bars are themselves involved in dirty dealings," Go said.

"Nakakadismaya, Madame Chair. Sa mga sangkot at kasabwat sa anomalya dyan sa Bureau of Immigration, huwag ninyong hintayin na ipakain sa inyo ang pastillas na pera na kinotong ninyo ang laman," he lamented.

Go reiterated that the President is already exasperated because of the rampant and systematic corruption in government.

"And even ang Pangulo ay may mga naririnig siya na korapsyon pa rin dyan sa Bureau of Immigration, huwag ninyo na pong hintayin, heads will roll again just like nangyari sa BuCor at sa iba pang ahensya, sisiguraduhin ko po na makakarating ito sa Pangulo and heads will roll," he said.

Go then repeated his warning to those responsible for the scheme, saying, "Kapag napatunayan kung sino po 'yung may mga kasalanan... At gusto ko lang po ikwento sa inyo, alam ninyo 'yung pastillas kapag lalagyan po ng pera, ayan 'yung pastillas na hindi kayang malunok ng tao."

Go recalled that when the President was still mayor of Davao City, a person selling fake land titles ended up eating the fake documents after being reprimanded by Duterte. He also shared that recently, someone pretending to be a relative of the President ended up eating money after being caught by the President himself.

"Kung sa mga corrupt na opisyal na hindi pa po nakatikim ng mismong pera, eh lunukin ninyo, mahirap pong lunukin 'yan. 'Wag ninyo na pong hintayin na ipalunok po sa inyo ng Pangulo 'yung totoong pera na nakabalot ng pastillas 'pag napatunayang involved kayo dito sa pastillas scheme na ito," he added.

Meanwhile, Go also advised those in the bureaucracy to shape up, help fight corruption, and serve the country well.

"Pakiusap lang po, magtulungan naman tayo. Tulungan natin ang bansang Pilipinas, hindi tayo aasenso habang may corrupt na opisyal na namamayagpag sa ating gobyerno," he said.

Go also called on investigative and law enforcement bodies to intensify its efforts against corruption

"Hanapin ninyo ang mga tunay na may sala at lahat ng involved sa scheme na ito at panagutin. Sabi ko, putulan ang kamay, putulin ang daliri. Ganun po kami ka-frustrated na po, exasparated na po kami ni Pangulo sa korapsyon sa gobyerno," Go said.

If necessary, Go said he would recommend for the creation of a Task Force to end systemic corruption in the Bureau of Immigration, similar to the Task Force that investigated PhilHealth.

"Katulad ng ginawa ng Task Force sa PhilHealth, dapat kung kakailanganin po ay irerekomenda ko na magkaroon din ng Task Force para imbestigahan ang Bureau of Immigration at iba pang ahensya kung saan laganap talaga ang korapsyon.

"To investigate, prosecute, audit, lifestyle check, and put in jail those who must account for their misdeeds. Kahit kahanay ninyo pa 'yan, cleanse your agencies of systemic corruption to improve its services to the people," he added.

However, Go said that more honest officials and employees remain in the Bureau, which is why the "bad eggs" must be separated.

"Naniniwala pa rin naman ako na mas marami ang matitinong tao diyan sa Bureau of Immigration, kaya huwag nating hayaang makahawa po itong mga bulok na empleyado dyan sa mga empleyado na gusto lang magserbisyo sa kapwa nating Pilipino," he said.

To address issues of corruption within the agency, Go filed Senate Bill 1649 which seeks to modernize the Bureau of Immigration. The proposed measure also calls for the creation of positions and compensation for co-terminous officials and employees of the agency.

The creation of the said positions under this bill could boost the productivity and efficiency of the Bureau of Immigration.

Ending his manifestation, Go also urged his fellow lawmakers to continue helping the Duterte Administration in cleansing government.

"Kung may nakikita kayong katiwalian, ilabas natin dito. Less than two years na lang sa puwesto ang ating Pangulo, at sana ay patuloy po tayong magtulungan para tuluyang masugpo ang corruption," Go urged.

"Let us work together to get to the bottom of this. We need a whole-of-government, whole-of-nation approach to put an end to corruption in order to give our countrymen and women the kind of service they truly deserve," he added.

Go also challenged Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente to cleanse the Bureau of corruption.

"I challenge Secretary Guevarra na pakiusap lang po, alam ko malaki ang tiwala ko sa inyo and even Commissioner Morente, linisin ninyo po ang Bureau of Immigration at kung kakailanganin po ay handa po akong umalalay sa inyo para linisin po ang inyong hanay sa Bureau of Immigration," he ended.