MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang asked the justice department to investigate the allegations against Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison.

In a letter to Justice Secretary Alfredo Caguioa, Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Menardo Guevarra asked the department to investigate and recommend possible actions on the petitions against the commissioner.

Mison, appointed Bureau of Immigration (BI) commissioner in 2013, faces at least 5 complaints filed by former BI officials before the Office of the President and the Ombudsman. 

Former BI Intelligence chief Faizal Hussin accused Mison of violating Republic Act 3019 concerning overtime pay and bonuses for employees from the Express Lane Trust Fund, saying Mison is not eligible to receive them as he is the Chief Executive Officer of the bureau.

Former Intelligence Officer Ricardo Cabochan also alleged that Mison and other officials of the bureau are involved in the sudden disappearance of fugitive Chinese national Fu Gaofeng, arrested for not having a working visa or permit.

Palace Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma refused to give further details on Malacañang’s request, saying the Department of Justice has the responsibility on the matter.

Coloma also assured the public that proper administrative processes will be followed. 

“Ang batid lang natin ay, sa mga ganyang pagkakataon, tumatalima tayo sa prosesong administratibo. At sa ilalim ng batas at mga prosesong administratibo, katulad ng isinasaad sa Administrative Code, kapag nagpadala ng kahilingan ang Tanggapan ng Pangulo sa pinuno ng isang tanggapan sa ilalim ng ehekutibo, ‘yung tumatanggap na tanggapan ang mayroong pagpapasya hinggil diyan kung anong aksyon ang kanilang isasagawa,” Coloma said in an interview over state-run dzRB on Sunday, December 20.

(All we know is that, in such instances, we follow administrative processes. Under the law and administrative process, like what is stated in the Administrative Code, if the Office of the President sends a request to a head of an executive agency, the receiving party has the power to decide on what to do with the request.)

“Kaya mainam na antabayanan na lang natin ang magiging pahayag ng DOJ na siyang tumanggap ng kahilingan mula sa Deputy Executive Secretary,” he added.

(It’s better to wait for the statement of DOJ, which received the request of the Deputy Executive Secretary.) 

Mison repeatedly denied all allegations, and said the petitioners are part of the old-timers who oppose reforms in the long-time graft-ridden agency. – Rappler.com