Marcos agreed to relieve BI chief Tansingco —Remulla

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday said President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has agreed to relieve Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco from his post.

In an ambush interview, Remulla said he and Marcos reached an agreement regarding his request to relieve and replace Tansingco.

"Yes, yes, okay na 'yun. Nagkasundo na kami ng Pangulo (Yes, the President and I have reached an agreement)," Remulla said.

"Papalitan siya, papalitan siya (He will be replaced). If I were him, I'll just resign already. Mag-resign na lang siya (He should resign)," he added.

This was confirmed by acting Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cesar Chavez.

Asked why he recommended Tansingco's replacement, Remulla said he was "not satisfied" with the Immigration official's performance and that they had a lot of problems.

For his part, Tansingco said he received the news through social media but he has yet to be “officially informed.

Last week, Remulla said he was no longer in communication with Tansingco after the Immigration chief did not immediately inform the Department of Justice about the departure from the country of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.

Tansingco admitted that he learned of Guo’s departure on August 15. However, he said they still had to validate the information. He said he only reported the incident to Remulla and the Office of the Executive Secretary on August 20.

GMA News Online has sought comment from the Bureau of Immigration and Malacañang but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

Guo, wanted in the Philippines in connection with a number of complaints, including human trafficking, was nabbed by Indonesian authorities in Tangerang City on Wednesday last week. She arrived in the Philippines early Friday morning. —KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News