Photo Release

Modernizing Immigration Bureau: Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, resumes virtual public hearing Wednesday, January 26, 2022, on several measures seeking to amend Commonwealth Act (CA) 613 or the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940. Gordon said the committee is running out of time with a few session days left, but hoped to pass the measure in the current congress. Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, in his manifestation, said since the passage of CA 613, several developments have changed the global village and its borders, making it more urgent for a new law to enable operational upgrades and innovations. The proposed measures seek to reorganize the structure of the bureau, the definition of specific responsibilities, the definition of visa categories, among others. (Screen grab/Senate PRIB)