BI summons two PBB ‘housemates’

Stars of the ABS-CBN reality show "Pinoy Big Brother" (PBB) — American Sam Milby and Filipino-Israeli Uma Barum — have been summoned by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to explain why they are working in the country apparently without legal permits.

Milby and Barum, with screen name Uma Khouny, were both asked to appear before the BI main office in Intramuros, Manila tomorrow to present their supporting documents and avoid possible deportation.

Immigration executive director Roy Almoro said they also summoned the agents of the TV performers to explain why the two were able to work on the daily primetime show since September last year without securing working permits.

"We will ask them to explain why they should not be sanctioned for engaging in gainful employment here without a work permit from immigration," Almoro said.

Under immigration laws, foreigners who want to be employed in the country should secure a working permit or working visa from the BI.

Milby and Barum were among the 12 "housemates" who participated in ABS-CBN’s hit reality show that concluded last Dec. 10.

Both reportedly signed a contract with ABS-CBN last year to participate in "PBB" but it was only last week that they applied for their working permits.

Almoro claimed an official of the network had filed the applications for working permits on behalf of the two actors.

The two have appeared on several TV shows since the conclusion of the first season of "PBB."

Milby appeared in a toothpaste television commercial before joining "PBB" as a replacement for a housemate who quit a few weeks into the contest.

After being eliminated from the contest, Milby started appearing on ABS-CBN’s Sunday musical variety show "ASAP."

Khouny, a former ramp model, has been seen making guest appearances on ABS-CBN talk shows after emerging as a finalist in "PBB."

BI hearing ffficer on special work permits Manuel Ferdinand Arbas, however, said the application for work permit for the two came "too late" since they had been working here for the past months.

"They should have secured their permit before they (Milby and Barum) started appearing on TV. Our immigration rules and policies are clear on that," Arbas said.

Arbas however refused to comment on possible sanctions against the two actors.