NBI arrests 7 suspects for selling gov’t positions, promotions

Seven suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in the sale of government positions or promotions, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced Monday.

“You think of getting appointed, getting promoted, they are offering their services for a fee,” NBI Ilocos Regional Office Regional Director Ferdinand Lavin said in a press conference.

He said the group took advantage of a directive ordering presidential appointees to submit their credentials.

“Sinasabi po nila, pag ikaw ay appointee ng past administration, you just might be removed. With the ongoing political situation, they took advantage and exploited this piece of information,” Lavin said.

“At sinasabi nila, lilinis at tatanggalin ‘yung na appoint dati. And then they are now selling the positions and or the promotions,” he added.

(They claim the previous appointees of the past administration would be removed from their posts.)

20 years

Lavin said the individuals were caught during an operation in Pasig City. Six of them were wearing jackets with the insignia of the Malacañang and the Office of the President. 

Meanwhile, one of the suspects had been previously arrested by the NBI and has more than 20 criminal and derogatory records.This involves estafa, illegal recruitment, usurpation of authority, use of an alias, and concealing true identity through name.

“Hindi lang dito sa Metro Manila. Meron siyang mga kaso sa Cebu, Davao, Bulacan, Calamba, Laguna, and NCR. He had been doing this for more than 20 years already,” Lavin said.

(Not only here in Metro Manila. He has cases in Cebu, Davao, Bulacan, Calamba, Laguna, and National Capital Region. He had been doing this for more than 20 years already.)

Meanwhile, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the arrested individual would introduce himself as an assistant secretary of the Presidential Management Staff and that he was instructed to clean up the bureaucracy. 

Following the operation, authorities retrieved a laptop and mobile gadget from the arrested individuals. They have been submitted for forensic examination.

“We are calling on the public to come forward and file complaints against these people,” Lavin said.

"Ang kaso nila bailable. Kapag nakapag bail yan, ayan na naman. Eh kung yung mga kababayan natin na na biktima na, hindi lalapit sa amin para makipag cooperate, tuloy-tuloy na naman ito. Wala naman kami magagawa kung nakapag bail. So yun ang panawagan namin," Santiago, meanwhile, said.

(Their cases are bailable. If they post bail, it's going to start again. If victims don't approach us to cooperate, this will continue. We won't be able to do anything if they post bail. So this is our appeal.)
—RF, GMA Integrated News