Last June 11, Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado confirmed he had rescinded an internal recommendation to release Chinese national Tony Yang on bail.
Yang, currently detained at the BI Warden Facility in Taguig, is facing serious allegations linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) activities. He is also the brother of Michael Yang, former economic adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The recommendation was issued during Viado’s temporary absence.
In a public statement, the Commissioner acknowledged the attempt to secure Yang’s release but refrained from naming the official responsible, saying he did not want to be “washing dirty laundry in public.”
While such restraint may reflect a high regard for institutional unity, the facts could not remain concealed.
What was the urgency? What factors led to the recommendation? Was it purely legal in nature, were there pressures external to the agency, or were there other considerations?
These are not minor questions.
The attempt to grant bail to a detainee facing allegations of economic crimes and political connections must be treated with utmost seriousness.
The perception of preferential treatment, even if unintended, undermines public confidence in both the BI and the Department of Justice.
This is where DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla must act firmly and swiftly.The internal recommendation must be reviewed with full transparency. The process that allowed it to advance must be examined, and accountability must follow where warranted.
Public officials involved in immigration enforcement shoulder an enormous responsibility. They are gatekeepers of national security, public safety, and the rule of law.
A lapse in judgment or an act of discretion, even if well intentioned, can erode public trust and create ripple effects throughout the justice system.
The DOJ must show resolve not just to investigate, but to reinforce discipline and credibility within its ranks.
Let there be no room for ambiguity. The public deserves to know that no detainee, no matter how powerful or connected, can find backdoor access to liberty through internal maneuvering.
Justice must not only be done, it must be beyond doubt and above influence.
