New ‘pastillas’ task force mulled

Go expressed disappointment on the continuous corruption thriving in the BI

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Tuesday said he is inclined to suggest to President Rodrigo Duterte the creation of a new task force that will investigate the “pastillas” scheme in the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

In his manifestation during the Senate hearing on the rescues of sexual trafficking victims, Go expressed disappointment on the continuous corruption thriving in the BI.

“If needed, I will recommend again to the President the creation of another task force. Of course, you are already under the Department of Justice and Secretary (Menardo) Guevarra already knows how to push through with the investigation,” Go said.

It was Go who suggested to President Duterte to create a task force that will investigate the recent anomalies in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

“Let us not be afraid to investigate, prosecute, audit, lifestyle check and put in jail those who must account for their transgressions. I urge heads of agencies and departments to cleanse your offices of systemic corruption in order to improve your services to our

kababayans,” he said, noting that the Chief Executive wanted to address corruption before his term expires in 2022.

“NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) Commissioner Jaime Morente is there and I’m challenging you to cleanse your office because the President has high expectations on you that’s why he assigned you there,” Go said.

“That is the campaign promise of this administration. The campaign against drugs, the campaign against criminality, and campaign against corruption,” he added.

Go also asked the NBI to work “double time” in its probe, reiterating that President Duterte will have these “pastillas” eaten by those who were involved in the illegal scheme at the BI.

“He is always asking me who are those involved. We wanted to know who are the people behind this. This pastillas is not that sweet and is very hard to swallow,” Go explained.

Senator Risa Hontiveros has launched a Senate investigation on the alleged seamless entry of Chinese nationals in the Philippines in exchange for P10,000 or the so-called “pastillas.”

This was linked to the cases of sexual trafficking in the country where women are being paid for special services to foreign workers — mostly Chinese nationals.