Immigration law gains ground

The bill enacting a new Philippine immigration law gained ground when it was approved by the House Committee on Justice before Congress adjourned for the holidays, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said yesterday.

Libanan believes that with the approval by the committee led by Quezon City Rep. Mat Defensor, House Bill 1954 would most likely be passed on first reading at the House plenary early next year.

“Hopefully, the bill will be calendared for first reading on the House floor as soon as Congress resumes session next year,” he said.

Libanan, former Eastern Samar congressman, has reiterated his appeal to his former colleagues in the House to prioritize the bill, also known as the Philippine Immigration Act of 2007 authored by Cavite Rep. Crispin Remulla, citing the benefits the country will reap if it is passed.

He argued there is a need for a new immigration law that will replace the existing 1940 immigration act, which he described as “too antiquated and no longer attuned to the changing times.”

Libanan added that the new law “will not only spur our economic development but also bolster our capability to fight transnational crimes such as terrorism, human smuggling and drug trafficking.”