Philippines president enters corruption row

Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte arrived back home from a foreign mission Saturday and immediately entered the Immigration corruption scandal by ordering the seizure of all online gambling tycoon Jack Lam’s Philippines assets, accusing him of not paying the correct taxes, and directing the immediate dismissal of two senior Immigration officials.

Although a statement from the president’s office did not identify the duo, it is believed they are Al Argosino and Michael Robles, two assistant commissioners in the Bureau of Immigration who have been at the centre of bribery allegations (see previous reports).

They announced their resignations in a letter to Duterte Friday.

Duterte’s statement emphasises the president’s commitment to fight corruption, saying:

“I said before that corruption will have no place in my government. Consistent with this electoral campaign, I have directed the dismissal of the two (officials from) the Bureau of Immigration who are now tainted with corruption. They will be held accountable for their actions. They will face the full force of the law.”

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