THE Department of Justice (DoJ) on Tuesday named Deputy Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado as the Bureau of Immigration (BI) officer-in-charge (OIC) after the dismissal of its former chief for the escape of an embattled former mayor.
In a statement, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said the appointment of Mr. Viado will take effect immediately and will remain until President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. appoints a new commissioner.
“It is essential that we assure our people that the services of our immigration bureau will remain uninterrupted and consistent regardless of any transition in leadership,” Mr. Remulla said in a statement.
“Viado will be in charge of the day-to-day operations of the bureau under the supervision of the Justice Secretary,” the DoJ said.
This comes after President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Monday dismissed Norman G. Tansingco as his Immigration chief for failing to prevent the escape of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice L. Guo and her cohorts from the Philippines in July.
Mr. Remulla earlier said he was disappointed with Mr. Tansingco’s performance due to BI’s lapses under his watch.
“This has been a big problem for the longest time, we have not been lacking reminders to the Immigration Commissioner about these problems,” he said in the same statement.
Mr. Remulla on Sept. 4 said he was not talking to Mr. Tansingco after he failed to promptly inform the DoJ about Ms. Guo’s escape. She was later arrested in Indonesia and brought back to Manila.
Mr. Tansingco learned of Ms. Guo’s departure on Aug. 15 but only reported the information after five days. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana