Bureau of Immigration (BI) Board of Special Inquiry (BSI) Chief Gilberto Repizo clarified that he was not removed from his post but merely reassigned to the main office of the Department of Justice (DOJ) by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
“Natanggap ko na kahapon ang isang department order na, hindi naman sinibak, tayo po ay inililipat ng ating kagalang-galang na kalihim ng katarungan sa kanyang opisina,” he said in an interview with DZRH Damdaming Bayan on Friday, June 20.
Repizo acknowledged the DOJ’s authority over agencies under its supervision, including the Bureau of Immigration, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Corrections.
“Kinikilala po natin ang kapangyarihan ng kagawaran ng katarungan sa kanyang pagbibigay ng ganitong order sapagkat ang Department of Justice has a supervision and administrative control," he added.
However, Repizo stated that he had submitted a formal letter to the DOJ, notifying them that he is considering possible remedies under the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
“Subalit ako po ay isang empleyado na saklaw din ng Civil Service Commission kaya ako po ay naghatid sulat kahapon na pinapaalam sa ating galang-galang na kalihim na titingnan ko po muna ang remedyos sa batas ng Civil Service Commission without meaning to disrespect or disobey the honorable Secretary of Justice.”
In a letter dated June 19, 2025, addressed to Remulla, Repizo formally contesting his removal as head of the bureau, raising concerns over due process and citing his rights under Civil Service Commission (CSC) rules.
He further said that he cannot comply with the Order No. 435 detailing his reassignment, as he intends to elevate the matter to the CSC.
"Please be informed that, without meaning disrespect to your Honorable Office, I cannot as of now comply with the directives as I intend to elevate the matter to the Civil Service Commission," Repizo wrote.
He invoked CSC Resolution No. 1800692 and the 2017 Omnibus Rules on Appointment and Other Human Resource Actions, which provide government officials the right to seek proper remedies under due process procedures.
The Bureau of Immigration has confirmed that the DOJ has ordered Repizo's replacement. Atty. Ruben Casibang Jr. has been designated as the acting BSI chief.
Repizo said he remains in his post in the meantime and is utilizing the period granted under civil service rules to respond to the reassignment.
“Sa ngayon po ay functioning pa naman po ako because under the civil service rules meron naman po akong nakatakdang bilang ng araw upang ilahad ang aking pananaw hinggil sa paglilipat sa akin sa ibang ahensya,” Repizo claimed.
He confirmed that the transfer location is the DOJ main office, the mother agency of the BI.
