ICI Requests DOJ for Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order on Individuals Linked to Flood Control Mess
An immigration lookout bulletin order can’t stop the flood control players from leaving the Philippines as per the immigration bureau.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives had a leadership change amid the flood control mess in the Philippines. Senator Chiz Escudero was ousted and replaced by now-Senate Pres. Tito Sotto after he admitted that he received a P30-million campaign donation from a contractor. He earned criticisms following his admission.
Sen. Chiz Escudero is also accused of allegedly receiving a P160-million kickback from the flood control projects by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo. According to the former Senate President, the flood control corruption accusations against him and his fellow senators were allegedly masterminded by former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Aside from Escudero, senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva are accused of alleged involvement in the flood control corruption. The accusation was made by dismissed DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez. Both senators denied the accusations.
Leyte Cong. Martin Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co were accused by controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects. They also made the same accusation against Quezon Cong. Arjo Atayde, Marikina Cong. Marcy Teodoro, and Pasig Cong. Roman Romulo.
However, Co was already out of the country when the accusation broke out and he refused to return. Amid the ongoing flood control investigation, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure asked the Department of Justice for an issuance of an immigration lookout bulletin order or ILBO against the individuals tagged in the supposed multi-billion scam.
Justice Secretary Boying Remulla who was recently appointed by Marcos Jr. as the next Ombudsman immediately approved the request of the ICI. An immigration lookout bulletin order was issued against 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, based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Bureau of Immigration wanted to clarify that an immigration lookout bulletin order can’t stop the flood control players from leaving the Philippines. The immigration bureau can only monitor and record the movements in and out of the country by the subjects.
“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,” BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval told DZMM.
Based on the report, the immigration officer stressed that the immigration lookout bulletin order “is really just a monitoring tool and nothing else”. Amid the ongoing investigation, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee acting chairman Erwin Tulfo proposed a one-month tax holiday as “financial relief” amid the flood control issue.