NOV.

18, 2013

NR # 3291B

Update the antiquated 1940 Philippine Immigration Law Rodriguez

Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has filed a bill updating the antiquated provisions of the Philippine Immigration Act or Commonwealth Act !" which was enacted into law in !#$%. Rodriguez and Rep. &a'imo Rodriguez (Abante &indanao Party)list* filed +ouse ,ill "%%to update several antiquated laws in the statute boo.s which are no longer relevant to modern times. Rodriguez said the country should come up with stricter rules and regulations to protect the security/ morals/ safety and health of the people and the country in general. 0Although some amendments and revisions have been effected to this law/ many of its provisions have ceased to be responsive to present day conditions and realities/ and there are still many problematic areas and concerns that have not been adequately addressed/1 Rodriguez said. Rodriguez noted that recent events showed that many aliens in the country have been involved/ at one time or another/ in organized crimes li.e illegal recruitment/ prostitution/ drug traffic.ing/ terrorism/ human smuggling and other crimes. 02hese crimes greatly resulted in the general impression of both 3ilipinos and foreigners ali.e that some aliens have contributed to a sufficient degree to the rise of criminality in the country/1 Rodriguez said. Rodriguez said the bill proposes a new/ streamlined and restructured Commission on Immigration and 4aturalization/ which will systematize the gathering/ compiling/ storage and rec.oning and analysis of records/ data and statistics on aliens and will delineate the functions among the different divisions and departments so as to cut bureaucratic red tape and overlapping functions. 5nder the bill/ the proposed Commission will act on administrative naturalization matters in addition to its immigration related services and will also e'pand the classes of aliens who are ineligible for admission into the country. 2he bill provides guidelines on the handling of recent international developments in the matter of refugees/ stateless persons and asylees/ plus the provision of stiff penalties for traffic.ing of persons. 2he penalties/ depending on what provision of the proposed law is violated/ range from P6%/%%% to P6%%/%%%/ aside from possible prison terms stipulated. 3urthermore/ the proposed measure will ma.e the Commissioners career officials with a fi'ed term of seven years. 2he Commission shall be administered by the ,oard of Commissioners headed by the Commissioner as Chairperson and four 7eputy Commissioners as members. ("%* dpt