Remulla designates new Immigration OIC

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday designated a new officer-in-charge of the Bureau of Immigration following the termination of Commissioner Norman Tansingco as BI chief.

According to the Department of Justice, Remulla designated Deputy Commissioner Attorney Joel Anthony Viado as BI OIC.

"It is essential that we assure our people that the services of our immigration bureau will remain uninterrupted and consistent regardless of any transition in leadership,” Remulla said in a statement.

“Hence, I entrust the stewardship of the bureau to Deputy Commissioner Viado, who I believe is best fit for the position,” he added.

The designation will be effective immediately until a new commissioner is appointed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

The announcement came just a day after Remulla bared that the President agreed to his request to relieve Tansingco from his post.

Remulla explained that he was "not satisfied" with the Immigration official's performance.

“This has been a big problem for the longest time, we have not been lacking in reminders to the Immigration Commissioner about these problems,” he said.

According to Remulla, Marcos believed a replacement would open a new chapter for the Immigration Bureau.

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

Tansingco admitted that he learned of Guo’s departure on August 15. 

However, he said they still had to validate the information. He only reported the incident to Remulla and the Office of the Executive Secretary on August 20.

Tansingco also testified during a Senate hearing that he learned of Guo's departure through social media, but he had yet to be “officially informed.” — DVM, GMA Integrated News