Ex-BI officer in ‘pastillas’ scam fined P5,000

MANILA, Philippines — A former Bureau of Immigration (BI) officer ended her legal battle in connection with the so-called “pastillas” scam with a fine of P5,000.

During the proceedings on Thursday, former immigration officer Asliyah Maruhom was allowed by the Sandiganbayan’s Seventh Division to plead guilty to a lesser offense of “prohibited acts and transactions” under Section 7 (d) of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

In a decision issued on the same day, the Seventh Divison said that since Maruhom entered her guilty plea before the formal presentation of evidence by the prosecution panel of the Office of the Ombudsman, this “mitigating circumstance” shall work in her favor.

The court also ordered the release of the P30,000 bail bond that Maruhom previously posted for her provisional liberty and lifted the hold departure order it earlier issued against her.

Maruhom was among the 50 former BI officials and employees charged by the ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan with violating Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which carries a sentence of six years to 10 years in prison and perpetual disqualification from public office.

Based on the Seventh Division’s decision, Maruhom entered into a plea bargaining deal with the ombudsman’s Office of the Special Prosecutor upon the approval of Ombudsman Samuel Martires.

The STAR has yet to receive a reply from the ombudsman if there had been similar plea bargain agreements with other former BI officials and employees accused in the “pastillas” scam.

Based on the charge sheet filed by the ombudman in June, former BI Port Operations Division deputy commissioner Marc Red