Immigration officer names suppliers of ‘clients’ in ‘pastillas’ scheme

MANILA — A Bureau of Immigration whistleblower testified before the Sandiganbayan on Wednesday that several individuals supplied the names of Chinese nationals allegedly allowed to enter the Philippines without inspection under the so-called “pastillas” scheme.

The scheme allegedly involved bribes rolled in paper like “pastillas” candy.

Immigration Officer Allison Chiong identified Francis Dennis “DR” Robles, Glenn Ford “Orange” Silang Comia, Rodolfo Magbuhos Jr., Deon Carlo “Nancy” Albao, Danieve Hije “Den” Binsol — also known as “Denden” — Paul Erick Borja, and Anthony Lopez as the alleged suppliers of the names of Chinese passengers who “were allowed in without being inspected.”

Chiong gave his testimony at the Seventh Division’s hearing on the graft case involving former Immigration Ports Operation Division chief Marc Red Mariñas and other former immigration officials.

“They confirmed to me their aliases and contribution to the ‘pastillas’ scheme. They told me and I experienced it too,” he told the court.

In his judicial affidavit, Chiong said that Robles personally supervised the entry of two Chinese nationals at his immigration counter in 2016.

Although the passengers had tourist visas, Chiong said their travel itineraries were inconsistent with their stated plan to stay only in Metro Manila.

Robles instructed him to let the passengers pass without undergoing secondary inspection, he said.

“I followed Robles since he is my superior, I did not want to be on his bad side,” Chiong said in the affidavit.

Chiong also testified on the alleged involvement of accused Maria Victoria Jogno, who he said he had personally observed regularly processing passengers linked to the scheme.

He said the “pastillas” passengers were sent to immigration counters adjacent to each other.

“The act of giving of seamless entry to passengers by [immigration officers] are within the clear view of each member,” Chiong said in his judicial affidavit.

Chiong’s first affidavit was executed in February 2020.

He submitted three supplemental affidavits in 2021 and 2022 before executing his judicial affidavit in 2026, which included Jogno and other additional names.

During cross-examination, the defense asked Chiong if he had witnessed how money was handed over in exchange for the entry of Chinese nationals.

“It is from the bosses, they give it to us,” Chiong replied.

He said he did not see Chinese passengers personally hand money to immigration officers.