Bureau of Immigration (BI) Associate Commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles appeared in a press conference on Tuesday to show the cash money allegedly given to them as bribe by online gambling tycoon Jack Lam.
This is supposedly in exchange for the release of Lam’s thousands of workers arrested in Pampanga.
The BI officials say, the funds amount to P 30-million and are part of a P 50-million total money that supposedly came from by Jack Lam, delivered to them allegedly through Retired General Wally Sombero.
Argosino and Robles describe themselves as victims of a frame- up as they are now being accused of extorting money from Lam.
They maintain, “we look at the money as evidence of corruption.”
Argosino further says, “48 million ang ibinigay nya [referring to Sombero]. Kinuha niya ang 2 million (he took P 2 million for himself). We look at the money as evidence of corruption. We did not have the capability to arrest him at that time.”
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente earlier ordered Argosino, Robles and Acting BI Intelligence Chief Charles Calima Jr. to explain the accusations of bribery made against them.
Argosino and Robles have gone on leave pending an investigation.
Justice Secretary Vitialiano Aguirree on Tuesday afternoon said, he has appointed two officers-in-charge (OICs) to assume the duties of the two associate commissioners.