Bicam tackles Immigration Bill today

MANILA, Philippines - A fixed term for the commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration will be discussed when the bicameral conference committee of Congress tackles the Philippine Immigration Bill of 2009 today.

Lawmakers at the bicameral conference committee will reconcile the Senate and House of Representatives versions of the bill.

Congress will ratify the reconciled version before transmitting the bill to President Arroyo for approval.

Sen. Francis Escudero, Senate Committee on Justice chairman, wants a three-year term for the commissioner.

On the other hand, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri is pushing for a one-year term.

Other members of the Senate contingent are Zubiri and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

The House of Representatives contingent intends to give the commissioner a six-year term.

It is comprised of justice committee chairman Matias Defensor, Junie Cua, Pedro Romualdo, Jesus Crispin Remulla, Edcel Lagman, Amelita Villarosa, Roman Romulo, Rufus Rodriguez and Justin Chipeco.

Zubiri said he expects the House of Representatives to support the Senate version.

“We expect to pass and ratify one amendment,” he said.

“Basically this is the one-year term for the present commissioner. The new commissioner would be appointed by the next president.”

A salient provision of the Philippine Immigration Bill of 2009 is the implementation of policies and procedures that would make it easier for foreigners to visit and do business in the country.     – Christina Mendez