Viado named Bureau of Immigration OIC

FILE: Bureau of Immigration building in Manila. (Photo by Elmer B. Domingo – Own work/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

By Benjamin Pulta, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has designated Bureau of Immigration (BI) Deputy Commissioner lawyer Joel Anthony Viado as officer-in-charge of the bureau following the termination of Commissioner Norman Tansingco.

“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. Hence, I entrust the stewardship of the bureau to Deputy Commissioner Viado, who I believe is best fit for the position,” Remulla said in statement.

According to the Department of Justice, Viado will be in charge of the day-to-day operations of the bureau under the supervision of the Justice Secretary.

“Viado’s designation will be effective immediately until a new Commissioner will be appointed by the President,” the DOJ said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. relieved Tansingco on Monday amid growing concerns in the agency, particularly after dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo was found to have left the country despite a look out bulletin (LBO) issued by the BI.

Remulla earlier expressed his disappointment for the lack of action and “failure of Tansingco to oversee/manage matters under his watch leading to various immigration concerns which has compromised national security for quite some time.”

“This has been a big problem for the longest time, we have not been lacking of reminders to the Immigration Commissioner about these problems,” he said.