President Rodrigo Duterte said he still believes in the integrity of Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente amid the “pastillas” scheme mess.
“Itong si Morente, mahal ko ‘yan kasi chief of police ‘yan dito, mabait ‘yan. So hindi niya kaya. Sabi niya… Limitado man rin kasi sa ano…,” President Duterte said.
Despite the statement of the President, Malacañang said Morente is not yet free from the investigation on the alleged VIP service lavished on Chinese nationals for faster and hassle-free entry into the country.
Presidential Spokesperson said Morente’s performance will still be tackled in the next cabinet meeting.
“Lahat naman sila ganun eh. So I’ve said, everyone is not off the hook, the confidence is there until contrary statement is made by the President,” he said.
“Lahat ‘yun iimbestigahan ni Presidente. Everything will be under investigation,” he added.
The Palace also said illegal Chinese POGO workers who have entered the country through the said scheme must be deported, and reiterated that any type of corruption has no place in the current administration. – Report from Patrick de Jesus
