QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Senator Manny Pacquiao said controversial retired police officer Wally Sombero had told him the real story on the alleged P50-million immigration bribery scandal.
Sombero allegedly told Pacquiao that it was actually the former Immigration Deputy Commissioners Michael Robles and Al Argosino who had asked for Php 50 million from Chinese online gambling tycoon through him. This was allegedly in exchange for freeing the arrested Chinese nationals illegally working at Lam’s casino and leisure park in Clark, Pampanga.
He even claimed that it was Robles who was actually insisting on the full amount of P50 million.
“Ang binanggit niya (Sombero) sa akin si commissioner Al Argosino at Robles ang humingi at sinabi niya na si Robles ang nagpupumilit na kompletuhin yung P50 million,” Pacquiao said.
According to Senator Pacquiao, this was the subject of his telephone conversation with Sombero in Canada.
“Sinabi niya yung dalawa, si Argosino at tsaka si Robles ang tumanggap ng pera,” Pacquiao said.
The senator also said that Sombero would explain further details when he faces the Senate.
“Sabi niya, marami pang gustong sabihin diyan na hindi pa naririnig ng tao. Siguro naman paniwalaan natin siya kung magsasabi siya ng totoo,” he added.
Pacquiao said that he is the one that convinced Sombero to go back to the Philippines to clear his name as he is being connected with the immigration bribery scandal.
He explained that he had known Sombero for a long time.
“Si Wally, matagal na kaming magkakilala. Hindi pa ako congressman, hindi pa ako senador, magkakilala na kami. At tinawagan ko siya nasa ibang bansa siya, ang sabi ko kung nandiyan ka, lalo lang pinapahirapan yung sarili mo na magkakaroon ka ng problema dito sa ating bansa.”
“Mas mabuti pa na umuwi ka rito, sabihin mo ang totoo. Sabi niya sigurado ba na walang mangyayari sa akin diyan. Natatakot din siya,” Pacquaio said.
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