Aguirre admits his godson replaced BI exec sacked over R50-M bribery

Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II admitted yesterday that he designated his godson, Jake Licas as acting Bureau of Immigration (BI) associate commissioner after his authority to appoint BI officials was questioned by the senators.

However, Aguirre clarified during the fourth hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the bribery scandal involving the BI officials that he “did not appoint, but designate” Licas to replace BI Deputy Commissioner Michael Robles.

It will be recalled that Robles, who was involved along with former BI Deputy Commissioner Al Argosino in a 150-million bribery-extortion scandal, was relieved of his position.

“Hindi po ako ang nag-appoint kay Licas; matagal na yan sa BI, years before ako ma assume sa DOJ (I did not appoint Licas; he has been with the BI even before I became the DOJ secretary.) I designated the position, but I never appointed him. The records would show that he was designated, not appointed,” he said.

“Under the law, appointments in the BI should be pointed by the Justice secretary,” the DOJ secretary added.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero challenged Aguirre to cite the law that specifically empowered the DOJ secretary to appoint BI officials. Aguirre said he would provide the senator the copy of the law.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV also questioned Licas’ appointment by Aguirre. Trillanes also questioned the DOJ’s issuance of a memorandum circular invalidating all visas pertaining to online gambling.

He said Aguirrre tapped the Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) to conduct the raid at Fontana hotel and casino in Clark Freeport, Pampanga to arrest the 1,613 illegally Chinese workers of gambling mogul Jack Lam, even though it is not part of the mandate of the FSU.