MANILA (UPDATE) — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has announced a thorough investigation into the legal department of the Bureau of Immigration after “thousands” of work visas were issued to fake corporations, including those related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.

Remulla said he met with BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco on Monday and ordered him to dig deeper into the matter.

The Bureau of Immigration issues 9G or “pre-arranged employment" visas to foreign nationals headed to the Philippines to engage in lawful occupations

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“Dati sinabi ko na sa inyo 'to. Maraming corporations that are petitioning for 9G visas are fake corporations or non-entities, which the legal department of the Bureau of Immigration allowed,” Remulla said.

Last year, Remulla suggested that Philippine visa handling be relegated to foreign service providers after the discovery of authentic Philippine identification cards illegally issued to Chinese nationals involved in POGOs.

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Remulla said he instructed Tansingco to stop granting visas to sole proprietorships and limit these to corporations registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Kaya yan ang pinapaimbestigahan ko, 5 years back, para matigil na ang kalokohang ito,” Remulla said.

Remulla said he was giving Tansingco until the end of the month to investigate.

“I am challenging the immigration commissioner to put this matter as a priority so that we stop making a fool of Filipinos that we are supposed to protect,” he said.

NATIONAL SECURITY RISK

Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday expressed alarm over the illegal scheme, saying it would be tacked in her panel's next hearing.

“This is a national security risk. Hindi natin alam baka mga sindikato at kriminal na ang mga nakapasok sa bansa... Sisiyasatin namin ito sa susunod na hearing,” Hontiveros said.

The senator, who led a series of hearings on the corruption scandal in the BI known as the “Pastillas Scam,” said that the agency should "do more" to clean up its ranks.

“Mag-aapat na taon na mula noong unang naisiwalat ang pastillas scam sa BI. Why does it seem like nothing has changed? Kailan pa ba tuluyang maaayos ang BI? Ilang Senate hearings pa ang kailangan? It is disappointing that the agency is front and center of this issue once again,” Hontiveros said.

The Bureau of Immigration has been involved in bribery scandals, including its personnel allegedly escorting Chinese nationals through immigration counters in exchange for a fee.

The scheme, called "Pastillas" during Senate hearings into the issue, led to dismissals from the service as well as graft charges for those implicated.

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