In a probe that becomes more disturbing with each revelation, it is now being alleged by Philippines Senator Risa Hontiveros that Bureau of Immigration (BRI) employees were likely selling Philippines passports to Chinese nationals, allowing them to get easy access to enter the country.

Passports, birth certificates, and bank accounts were up for sale, according to Hontiveros in a recent Senate hearing. BI officials also offered “de-listing from blacklists and airport release if barred entry” to Chinese tourists that were planning on traveling to the Philippines. She provided captured screenshots of advertisements offering the service as evidence.

“They can even give Philippine passports to Chinese tourists… Obviously, these are criminal acts. Two agencies are advertising these criminal services freely,” the senator said.

Hontiveros has been outspoken in her call to investigate the BI. She has pointed out a number of highly questionable behaviors and information that has presented the likelihood of corruption at the agency. This includes her pointing to a Salary Grade 13 employee, earning approximately PHP 24,000 a month ($472), reporting a net worth of PHP 5 million ($98,000) and able to fund a run for the mayor of Muntinlupa City in both 2018 and 2019.