Duterte names two Bedans to immigration board

Two lawyers appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as deputy commissioners at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) complete its three-man board.

Lawyers Michael Robles and Al Argosino were named deputy immigration commissioners by Mr. Duterte last week.

The appointments completed the BI board of commissioners headed by Commissioner Jaime Morente as chair, BI spokesperson Antonette Mangrobang said.

Before the designation of the two, the board was composed of Morente and BI career officer Jose Carlitos Licas, who was named OIC deputy commissioner.

“Now that the board is complete, we can work together and immediately implement the President’s directives for a more efficient, effective and corrupt-free immigration service,” Morente said.

Argosino graduated from San Beda College of Law, like the President years earlier, and Robles from San Sebastian College of Law.

But Robles, from Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, also went to San Beda and obtained an economics degree before passing the bar in 2000.

In a statement, the BI described him as a veteran government lawyer who served as a prosecutor for many years.

He first worked as a legal researcher in a private law firm, joining government in 2001 as an Attorney IV in the Court of Appeals.

He served as Clerk of Court in the Manila Regional Trial Court, and later as Pasig City prosecutor and senior assistant city prosecutor.

Argosino, from Quezon, obtained a business management degree at San Beda as well before passing the bar in 1994.

He began his career in government serving as legal officer for Sen. John Osmeña and later as head executive assistant to Sen. Orlando Mercado.  TVJ