President Marcos Approves Dismissal of Immigration Commissioner Over Alice Guo Case

September 10, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has officially approved the dismissal of Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco, as confirmed by the Palace on September 9, 2024. Presidential Communications Secretary Cesar Chavez announced that Tansingco’s removal is directly linked to the controversial escape of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.

“His dismissal has already been approved by the president,” Chavez told reporters, including ABS-CBN, via Viber when asked about Tansingco’s sacking.

The decision to relieve Tansingco was part of President Marcos’s vow to address issues related to Guo’s departure. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed that he had discussed Tansingco’s replacement with the President. Remulla criticized Tansingco for failing to address the alleged issuance of working visas to fake corporations, which facilitated the entry of illegal gambling workers into the Philippines.

Remulla also accused the BI of being involved in helping Guo and her family escape. “Well, I have asked the president to relieve him (Tansingco) and to replace him. I am not satisfied marami kaming naging problema (we encountered a lot of problems),” Remulla said. “Okay na yon nagkasundo na kami ng pangulo, papalitan na siya, papalitan siya. If I were him, I would resign already, mag resign na lang siya.” (That’s settled, we’ve agreed with the president to replace him. If I were him, I would resign already.)

The BI, however, maintained that Guo and her purported sister Shiela left the country “illegally without undergoing regular immigration inspection.” No Philippine stamps were found in their passports, and Guo was eventually arrested in Indonesia.

During a Senate hearing, Guo denied any assistance from immigration personnel or Filipino officials in her escape. Tansingco, meanwhile, claimed he learned about his impending removal from the media and had not yet received an official notification.

In response to Tansingco’s dismissal, Justice Secretary Remulla has appointed Deputy Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado as the officer-in-charge of the BI. Viado will oversee the bureau’s daily operations.

Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, faces multiple charges including graft, money laundering, and human trafficking. She is accused of acquiring Filipino citizenship through fraudulent means and is linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).