Philippine Immigration

27 June 2008

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Marcelino Libanan unveiled yesterday his development agenda geared towards the nation’s security and creating a pro-investment and tourism climate in the Philippines .

Addressing a luncheon meeting by members of the Consular Corps of the Philippines at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati City, Libanan summed up his agenda as a policy direction where “the economy is nurtured, the interest of peace and order secured and the vision for the future is ensured.”

Libanan said that since he assumed the helm of the BI a year ago, it was always his intention to shift the bureau’s role from that with a “hammer and shield” mindset to being a pro-investment catalyst with a global perspective.

The BI chief proudly announced to his audience that he has been successful in instituting postitive reforms in the BI that helped advance his pro-investment and tourism agenda.

Among these programs, he said, was the launching of the visa-issuance-made-simple (VIMS) program where visa processing and issuances in the BI were simplified and fast-tracked for the convenience of the transacting public.

He likewise cited the implementation of the pre-arranged visa-upon-arrival program which not only attracted foreign businessmen and promoted the investment climate but also helped eradicate human smuggling in the country’s ports.

As a result of these twin projects, he said the BI’s income from January to May stood at more than P812 million, up by 31-percent or P191.8-million over the 620.7 million the bureau collected in the same period last year.

Libanan also mentioned the “no touch, no contact” policy now being practiced at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) which drew praises from foreign governments and improved the bureau’s image.

“There are many more pro-investment programs to come and we shall see to it that the interest of tourism, trade, commerce, industry are not left out,” he said.

Libanan explained that improvement in the BI’s facilities and services at the airports as he disclosed that all immigration counters at the NAIA are now equipped with passport readers.

He said a national operations center is now in place that records and keeps track of all activities and events at the NAIA on a 24-hour basis.

He added that the bureau has established an electronic linkup with the Interpol and other law enforcement agencies to strengthen its campaign against foreign criminals and fugitives from justice.

Libanan disclosed that serious efforts have been made to professionalize the bureau’s rank and file and eradicate corruption, adding that a total of 24 in-house trainings on various immigration-related programs.

He said these personnel capability-building programs catapulted the BI to the fourth place among 76 other government agencies in the list of anti-corruption champions of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC).

He also reported that last January, the BI was named valedictorian by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) among the agencies that took part in its performance management system and office performance evaluation system project. (BI News)

FROM THE STANDS By Domini M. Torrevillas
Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Foreigners coming in and going out of the country reportedly no longer cringe at the mention of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on account of reforms initiated by Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan since his appointment by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in May 2007.

One of the first things Libanan did — in compliance with the President’s order — was to stop the “escort services” at the airports. This was the practice of BI personnel of letting foreigners enter and leave the country without proper documentation. The same escort services were also offered to overseas Filipino workers who did not have work permits and traveling only on tourist visas and ended up being exploited by their employers abroad.

Then there is the visa-upon-arrival program designed to combat human smuggling, support investment and tourism promotions and improve visa fees collection.

By creating a safer and more foreign investor-conducive atmosphere in the country, Libanan’s office said, the bureau is encouraging the inflow of more direct foreign investments.

This visa approval-upon-arrival concept has won the nod of the United Korean Community Association of the Philippines, the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Indian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, for resulting in increased foreign direct investments, more tourist arrivals, and, most important, preventing travelers from being exploited by syndicates.

The Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce, however, has a word for Libanan, which is that his reducing human smuggling in the country is “fueling efforts by syndicates to destroy his (Libanan’s) credibility.” This comes as no surprise since it has become common knowledge that bad guys want to get rid of good guys.

One installation that helped push BI’s new image is the hidden cameras at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) which monitor incoming and outgoing passenger traffic, and spot possible anomalous transactions between BI personnel and travelers. Cameras are more truthful than human speculations — unless of course some editing is done on the films, an act that the BI chief would surely have perpetrators punished or dismissed.

Libanan’s pro-investment visa approval upon arrival — a “no-touch, no-contact” policy in dealing with passengers, is to ensure that immigration personnel do not get involved in operations that rightfully belongs to the Bureau of Immigration personnel.

The chief also set forth a “tattoo is art” policy to correct the impression that people who have tattoo marks in their bodies are criminals and so should be refused entry into the country. Commissioner Libanan, in a humane gesture, has argued against the practice, saying that not all people are criminals or have police records as some of them have simply asked to be tattooed for art’s sake or personal reasons.

Libanan thought of rationalizing visa issuance in the country upon his discovery of the big discrepancy between the number of visas issued by foreign service posts and the actual number of tourist visa-holders. He saw that from 2005 to June 2007, visas issued by DFA foreign posts numbered 39,452, while the number of actual arrivals of tourists reached 33,295, or a discrepancy of 4,843. The 4,843 translates to a lot of income for the government in the amount of P43.6 million.

The visa-approval-upon-arrival program will remove the discrepancy in as much as visas are given foreigners as they enter the country and after submitting such requirements like letter-requests from sponsoring organizations, payment of visa fee, and clear photocopy of the bio-page of the applicant’s passport.

Citizens are enjoined to support Libanan in his efforts to cleanse the BI’s once-Augean stables, improve the agency’s image further, and earn revenue for the government. (Philippine Star)

Commissioner Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan of the Bureau of Immigration has made some enemies in his efforts to ease the processing of visa applications in the country but the positive results from his initiative have earned him more friends and backers.

The 45-year-old Libanan reported that immigration fees in the first five months of the year jumped 31 percent to P812.5 million from P620.7 million year-on-year. The bureau’s revenues were also 25 percent higher than its target of P648.3 million for the five-month period and just P659.3 million short of attaining its full-year P1.47-billion goal for 2008. The bureau posted its highest income ever in 2007, when it registered a take of more than P1.69 billion.

Continue on Manila Standard Today

Foreigners entering and staying in the country remitted more than P800 million to the government coffers during the first five months of the year, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said.

Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan disclosed that immigration fees earned by BI from January to May totaled P812.5 million, up by 31-percent or P191.8-million over the 620.7 million the bureau collected in the same period last year.

The income was also P164-million or 25-percent higher than the bureau’s revenue target of P648.3 million for the five-month period.

Libanan noted that the BI is just P659.3-million short of attaining its P1.47 billion target for 2008, adding he is confident that this year will be another banner year for the BI in terms of revenue generation.

The BI posted its highest income ever in 2007 when it registered a take of more than P1.69 billion.

“Chances are very bright that we will not only hit but also exceed our target this year if the present trend in our collections continues,” the BI chief said.

Records showed that of the P812.5 million collected during the five-month period, P573.7 million was earned at the BI main office in Manila while P238.8 million was raised by the different BI field offices and immigration subports in the provinces.

Libanan partly attributed the dramatic rise in revenues to the unabated influx of foreigners into the country and the reforms that he instituted at the BI wherein processing of visa applications have been simplified and expedited.

He said alien arrivals have increased and so are fees that they pay to the government, adding that it is a good sign that more and more foreigners are now complying with the country’s immigration laws.

Libanan promised to vigorously pursue the reform program that he started in the bureau, particularly in re-engineering its systems and procedures and improving and modernizing its services to the transacting public.

He also lauded the rank and file of the bureau for their hard work which contributed to bureau’s impressive collection performance.

Statistics from the immigration office of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) revealed that a total of 1,108,366 foreigners arrived at the premiere port from January to May this year, which is seven-percent higher compared to the 1,032,106 who came in the same period last year.

Early this year, Libanan launched the visa-issuance-made-simple (VIMS) scheme, the BI chief’s flagship project that simplified the requirements and cut the processing time for visa applications at the BI by an average of 58 percent. (BI News)

Source: Bureau of Immigration News

Related News:

• Bureau's revenues surge on increased tourism - GMA News
• BI collects more than P800M for first five months - GMA News
• RP immigration bureau's revenues up by 31% - BusinessWorld via GMA News
• Gov't earns P800M from foreigners' stay in RP - Sun Star Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The government expects more investors and tourists — especially from China and India — visiting the Philippines as it implements a “liberalized" system of granting visas to foreigners.

In a statement released on Monday, Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said the agency had put in place the PVUA or the pre-arranged visa upon arrival system wherein visas of foreigners traveling to the Philippines would be processed from their countries of origin.

Continue on GMA News

CHINESE Ambassador to Manila Song Tao commended the Bureau of Immigration over the arrest and deportation of a fugitive wanted for large-scale smuggling of cigarettes and wines in the mainland.

Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said the Beijing envoy expressed his appreciation in a letter to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

In his letter dated June 18, Song cited “laudable efforts made for the deportation by the Bureau of Immigration” of Cai Wenxian, who was involved in the “heinous crime of smuggling and long wanted by China’s Anti-Smuggling Authority.”

Continue on Manila Standard Today

MANILA, Philippines - THE Chinese ambassador to the Philippines on Thursday lauded the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for deporting a Chinese fugitive long wanted for drug smuggling in China.

Chinese Ambassador Song Tao in a letter to Executive Eduardo Ermita dated June 18, 2008, cited the Immigration bureau’s “high degree of professionalism” in the deportation of Cai Wenxian back to China.

Continue on GMA News

Professionalism in the delivery of public service by employees of the Bureau of Immigration earned praises from the Chinese Ambassador to Manila.

Chinese Ambassador to Manila Song Tao today cited employees of the Bureau of Immigration for “high degree of professionalism” in handling the deportation of a Chinese fugitive who was at large for several years, until now. In a letter dated June 18, 2008 to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Song cited “laudable efforts made for the deportation by the Bureau of Immigration” of Cai Wenxian, a Chinese national involved in the “heinous crime of smuggling and wanted by China’s Anti-Smuggling Authority.”

In a statement, BI Commissioner Marcelino C. Libanan described the Chinese Ambassador’s citation as a terstimonial of the efficiency on and dedication of BI employees to their jobs.

“At the BI a new meaning of dedication to service has started to take roots and this recognition by the Amnbassador Song encourages us the more to be change agents in the BI’s definition of public service,” Libanan said.

Libanan was himself cited by Song as the Chinese ambassador said Libanan “has made notable achievements after his assumption of his post” at the BI.

Song said “the successful deportation further demonstrates the Philippine government’s adherence to justice and its consistent policy that the Philippine soil will never be used as the refuge by foreign fugitives to escape prosecution.”

“I earnestly look forward to the continous cooperation of our two countries in the field of combating transnational crimes including immigration regulation. I am highly convinced that we will make much greater success in future with our unremitting efforts on law enforcement issues,” he added.

Sources inside the BI said the bureau has received numerous citations from other countries and individual foreign visitors for the changes that have made BI friendly to its principal clientelle, foreigners visiting the Philippines.

Massive structural and systems reforms were put in place by Libanan when he assumed leadership of BI leading to processes simplification. “It is now a lot easier to deal with the BI these days,” same sources said, adding that fixers were rendered useless and are now history. (BI News)

Source: Bureau Of Immigration News

06/16/2008

The Philippine Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (PICCI) yesterday lauded Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan for executing sound policies that would not only make the Bureau of Immigration (BI) more efficient but also eliminate corruption within the agency.

This came after several Indian groups expressed support to the proposed law creating a new immigration body because this would pave the way for a more efficient implementation of the country’s immigration policies.

PICCI director general Surjit Singh said since Libanan implemented a liberalized visa policy wherein foreign visitors to the Philippines are given visa-upon-arrival, there has been a marked increase in foreign investments and tourist arrivals.

Continue on The Daily Tribune

Illegal aliens, your days are numbered!

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

By Ben O. Tesiorna

BUREAU of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Marcelino Libanan has ordered an immediate investigation on the escape of a Chinese national from the detention cell of the BI-Davao office.

Libanan said a team of agents under the guidance of lawyer Faizal Hussin, principal assistant for Mindanao, has been dispatched to look into the incident and determine who shall be held liable for the escape of Chalo Sy King.

Continue On Sun Star

By William B. Depasupil, Reporter

THE newly-formed antihuman smuggling panel of the Department of Justice failed to get a convincing answer from the Bureau of Immigration on the huge disparity between the number of entry visas issued and actual arrival of visa holders.

During Wednesday’s first fact-finding probe of the panel, the Immigration Regulation Division’s chief, lawyer Gary Mendoza, explained the discrepancy may have been caused by the incomplete records supplied to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) by the Philippine Embassy in India.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez ordered the probe in response to a letter from Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan, after bureau records showed a discrepancy of 4,843 between the number of entry visas issued by the Foreign Affairs department and the actual arrival of visa holders from June 2005 to June 2007.

Continue on The Manila Times

Nanawagan kahapon sa Kongreso si Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Marcelino Libanan na kaagad aprubahan ang budget na nakalaan para sa pagpapatayo ng gusali ng kagawaran.

Inihayag ni Libanan ang kanyang panawagan kasabay ng pagpapasa­lamat nito sa rank and file employee ng BI dahilan sa umanoy patuloy na suporta ng mga ito sa gitna ng kanyang dinanas na kontrobesiya ng mga nakaraang araw.

Continue On Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines has remained a haven for human smugglers because of an obsolete law that fails to curb the illegal entry of foreigners into the country, according to Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Marcelo Libanan.

In a recent interview with radio dzBB, Libanan said the Philippine Immigration Act is too old and inadequate to address the growing incidence of human smuggling in the country.

The law, also known as Commonwealth Act No. 613, was signed by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt on September 3, 1940.

Continue On GMA News

“If they want war, we are ready to go to war.”

Thus, declared Immigration Commissioner Marcelino "Nonoy" Libanan over the weekend as he vowed to further his bureau’s own war a notch higher to rid all entry and exit points of shameful "escort service" syndicates. Also included in Libanan’s campaign are fake visa extension peddlers.

Libanan declared the war on "escort service" after getting solid information from intelligence sources on the identity of the perpetrators on the massive media smear campaign against him.

Continue on Tempo

By YUL MALICSE

DAVAO CITY — Immigration Commissioner Marcelino "Nonoy" C. Libanan has cited the virtues of honesty and professionalism among Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers and employees.

He cited as an example the refusal by an immigration officer assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to receive bribes from an "undesirable alien."

In an "over-a-cup-of-coffee" talk and exchange of pleasantries held recently at the tourist-business and beautifully designed Apo View Hotel here, where he held a successful, enticing concert – "Music from the Heart" – Libanan, a lawyer, a former congressman, and a former elected provincial official of Eastern Samar, described Immigration Officer Michael Dizon as an "example of the new culture of honesty and dedication that has become a measure of efficiency in public service at the bureau."

Continue on Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines -- Foreign chambers and other business organizations have expressed support for the liberalized visa policy of the government being implemented by the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) saying the program will result in increased foreign investments and tourist arrivals and safeguard national sovereignty.

‘‘Most of all, our people are and can no longer be victims of fixers,” the group said in a letter to immigration commissioner Marcelino Libanan on June 4.

Continue on Philippine Daily Inquirer

Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan has spelled out the liberal visa rules for foreigners coming in as investors, a move that drew the support of major business groups.

Libanan said that foreign investors and businessmen duly endorsed by the Board of Investments, Philippine Retirement Authority, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, local business councils, or local as well as foreign chambers of commerce and industry may avail themselves of Immigration’s “visa upon arrival” program.

Businessmen hailed the liberalized visa policy, saying that it “will boost foreign investments and tourist arrivals without giving up the national sovereignty.”

Continue on Manila Standard Today

By Gobleth Moulic

BAGUIO CITY – Members of the Indian community here expressed relief after their two-year fight against two immigration intelligence agents, whom they accused of extortion and kidnapping, ended when Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan dismissed the two from government service last week.

Libanan said he dismissed agents Simeon Eleria and Armando Talatala, both based in Manila, on May 21 for grave misconduct following a complaint from Indian businessman Sanjiv Kumar.

Continue On Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration has uncovered an international operation involving the sale of fake Philippine passports in New Zealand with the arrest of a Chinese national posing as a Filipino.

Bureau agents arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Wednesday Yllana Wong, 42, a Chinese national who presented a fake Philippine passport.

Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan ordered Wong’s detention at the immigration jail in Bicutan while the agency determined his connection to the fake passport syndicate.

Continue on Philippine Daily Inquirer

A British pedophile is now behind bars at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for sexually molesting a 12-year-old girl in Pangasinan.

Arrested on the strength of a mission order issued by BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan was David Ferguson Gatt, 68, who was picked up by operatives ob the BI law enforcement division at his home in Calasiao, Pangasinan last May 27.

Libanan said Gatt will remain detained at the Bicutan immigration jail indefinitely pending resolution of the criminal complaint that the father of the victim filed against the Briton for violating the anti-child abuse law.

He said the bureau is giving priority to the campaign against pedophiles, saying “we will always exercise our mandate to protect our women and children against foreign sex offenders.”

Libanan added that “although he (Gatt) is an undesirable alien who should be deported, he should first face the criminal charges filed against him,” said Libanan.

It was gathered that the Briton was already an undocumented and overstaying alien at the time of his arrest.

He failed to present his travel documents to the arresting agents but a check of the BI’s travel records showed that he last arrived in the country on August 15, 2001 and that he never bothered to extend his tourist visa since then.

“He will thus undergo deportation proceedings for being an undocumented, overstaying and undesirable alien,” said Atty. Floro Balato Jr., BI spokesman.

Balato added that Gatt will be placed in the BI blacklist to prevent him from re-entering the Philippines after he is deported.

Investigation revealed that Gatt was the subject of a complaint filed by a male resident of Calasiao, Pangasinan whose 12-year-old daughter the Briton allegedly molested several times.

The complainant said that while he was working in Manila, his wife entrusted the care of the victim to her grandmother, who is the live-in partner of the Briton.

According to the victim’s affidavit, she was sexually abused and molested by Gatt on many occasions and was made to do indecent acts against her will at the time that she stayed at her grandmother’s house. (BI News)

MANILA, Philippines -- Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan has ordered an investigation into the possible collusion of immigration employees with syndicates that issue fake visa extensions to foreigners.

Libanan issued the directive after immigration officers arrested two Indian nationals who were about to leave the country carrying fake visa extensions and passports.

Continue On Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines -- The government has lost close to P200 million in revenues from 2005 to 2007 due to the illegal entry of Indian nationals, Bureau of Immigration (BI) commissioner Marcelino Libanan said Wednesday.

Libanan said there is a wide discrepancy between the number of visas issued by the Bureau of Immigration and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to Indian nationals.

From 2005 to 2007, Immigration records showed 39,452 Indian nationals were given visas but DFA records showed 75,699, or almost double the BI’s number, received visas from 2005 to June of 2007.

Continue On Philippine Daily Inquirer

16 June 2008

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Marcelino C. Libanan today said Pre-arranged Visa Upon Arrival (PVUA) is one of the strategies put in place by the BI to make it easy for tourists and investors to come to the country explaining that this step is in support to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s order to make the country friendly to foreign investors.

In a media forum at the Ambassador Hotel in Manila, Libanan said the other effect of the PVAU program is it has curbed human smuggling.
“PVUA is one of the BI’s answers to President Arroyo’s policy of liberalizing the entry of tourists and investors from countries like China and India,” Libanan said.

Libanan said that under the PVUA, reputable organizations like foreign chambers of commerce in the Philippines vouch for the good character of visiting foreign nationals.

“The sponsoring organizations would be the ones to be in charge of the visiting foreigners in case that he would have to leave so this process curbs human smuggling instead of providing a loophole for this illegal activity as purported by crime syndicates,” Libanan said.

Libanan said entry visa granted through PVUA are ‘pre-arranged’ from the country of origin of a visiting foreigner, a process which has been in place since 2002 for visiting Chinese nationals.

This allows Philippine authorities to fain information on the characters and profiles of visiting foreigners instead of being in the dark in tracking down foreigners smuggled into the country by human smuggling syndicates, while at the same time facilitating the granting of visas to legitimate investors and tourists.

Foreigners smuggled into the country are prone to monthly extortion by crime syndicates engaged in human smuggling, Libanan said.

BI recently discovered a discrepancy of 4,843 between the number of entry visas issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the actual arrival of visa holders between June 2005 to June 2007. The Discrepancy amounts to an estimate of P43 million in foregone revenues from visa fess for the government.

Libanan said PVUA eliminates human smuggling avtivities, aside from promoting the investment promotions of the Department of Trade and Industry and the tourism programs of the Department of Tourism. (BI News)

MANILA, Philippines -- Immigration officers have been ordered to closely inspect the travel documents of departing Filipino tourists following reports that human traffickers have been using fake return airline tickets to smuggle undocumented workers abroad.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) commissioner Marcelino Libanan has instructed immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other airports to ensure the return tickets of departing Filipino tourists are genuine before they are allowed to board their flights.

Continue On Philippine Daily Inquirer

Three foreign commercial models were fined P30,000 each for working in the country without the proper work permits, the Bureau of Immigration said Monday.

BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan imposed the fine on the foreigners last Friday hours after the bureau’s operatives arrested them for performing as ramp models in a fashion show held at the SMX convention center of the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Continue On ABS-CBN News

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday deported to China a wanted drug lord who had been slipping in and out of the Philippines by using several aliases.

Retired police official Victor Boco, BI’s technical assistant for intelligence and security, escorted the handcuffed Cai Wen Xian at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for the flight to Xiamen on board China Airlines CZ 378.

Continue On ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Immigration deported on Tuesday a Chinese fugitive wanted for big-time smuggling in China.

Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said Cai Wen Xian is wanted by the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Shishi City in China for smuggling large quantities of cigarettes and wine into the China.

Continue on GMA News

MANILA, Philippines—Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan dismissed as "mere scrap of paper" a memorandum sent by an association of immigration employees accusing him and four others of allowing 15 Indian nationals to enter the Philippines illegally in exchange for P15 million.

Libanan said he expected malicious attacks to be hurled at him following his campaign to weed out corrupt employees of the Bureau of Immigration.

"I will not be surprised that the people who have been hurt by our reforms will take actions against me," he said.

Continue On Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines-The Bureau of Immigration has banned from the country an Egyptian job recruiter allegedly responsible for the deployment of scores of Filipino domestic helpers who later suffered abuse at the hands of their employers.

Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said he issued an order placing Magdy Rassekh on the bureau's blacklist to prevent him from reentering the Philippines and victimizing more Filipino workers.

Continue on Philippine Daily Inquirer

An overstaying Chinese fugitive involved in big time smuggling in China who has been hiding in the country to escape conviction in his home country was deported yesterday upon orders of Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Marcelino Libanan.

According to Libanan, Cai Wen Xian is wanted by the Anti Smuggling Bureau of Shishi City in China for smuggling large quantities of cigarettes and wine worth hundreds of millions of CNY into China. “The Bureau of Immigration will never allow foreign fugitives to make the Philippines their refuge to escape prosecution in their countries,” Libanan said, adding “We will exert and utilize all the resources of the bureau and even tap the help of other law enforcement agencies, if only to catch and deport every foreign fugitive now hiding in the country.”

Cai wen Xian, who is also known as Xu Zhi Long was captured by elements of the Philippine National Police Anti Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force on May 27, 2008 in Paranaque City. His arrest was prompted by the request of the Consular Office of the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China. He was later turned over to the Bureau of Immigration for immediate deportation.

In a special BI Board of Commissioners meeting to expedite the deportation of Cai Wen Xian, BI Commissioner Libanan, Associate Commissioner Roy M. Almoro and Associate Commissioner Enrique B. Galang Jr. ordered Cai Wen Xian’s summary deportation for being an undocumented and overstaying alien and a fugitive from justice.

Libanan subsequently ordered the implementation of a 24-hour watch and tight security on Cai Wen Xian to prevent possible attempt to escape or injure himself to avoid deportation to China. The Chinese fugitive, while at the Bi custody, attempted to swallow a necklace to induce ailment.

According to Chinese authorities, criminal cases of such magnitude in China could be punishable by death or life sentence.

In a letter to Libanan, Police Attache PSUPT Lunjun Liu of the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China stated that Cai Wen Xian holds an illegally acquired passport through theft and was even able to acquire a Philippine driver license under the name of Lin Rongda. (BI News)

CEBU CITY: The Bureau of Immigration region 7 is renewing its drive against human trafficking to lessen, if not eradicate, the increasing number of undocumented overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who are suffering abroad, reported the Philippine News Agency.

The bureau’s region 7 Director Reynaldo Almaden said his office has the power to stop passengers from leaving if there is a hold-departure order from the court, if he or she is in the watch list, or if he or she is a threat to national security.

Continue on The Manila Times

MANILA, Philippines -- Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan dared the Korean embassy to bring its complaints about alleged extortion by his men to his office instead of retaliating against Filipino workers seeking jobs in South Korea.

The Korean embassy, starting Monday, has suspended the issuance of visas to Filipino workers, citing pressure from Korean businessmen in the country who claim to be victims of immigration officers’ extortion.

Continue on Philippine Daily Inquirer

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has fined three foreign commercial models P30,000 each for working in the country without the proper work permits.

BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan imposed the fine on the foreigners last Friday hours after the bureau’s operatives arrested them for performing as ramp models in a fashion show held at the SMX convention center of the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
Those who were fined after being arrested on the strength of a mission order issued by Libanan were Samuel James Anderson, 26, an American; Claudio Andres Sisa Izaguirre, 25, an Argentinian; and Bernardo Esteban Arriagada Belmar, 22, a Chilean.

Even as Libanan fined the three foreigners who were later released, he warned them that a repetition of their offense will merit a more severe penalty in the future, particularly their summary deportation and inclusion in the immigration blacklist.

The BI chief also warned other foreign entertainers who are engaged or are about to engage in gainful activity in the Philippines to secure the required work permits and visas, lest they too will be arrested for violating the country’s immigration laws.

He reiterated his warning to all foreigners, including entertainers, models and athletes, that there are no sacred cows in the bureau’s campaign against illegally working aliens.

It was gathered that all three foreigners were fined for violating the conditions of their stay as tourists and that one of them was already overstaying.

Libanan thus ordered them to update and regularize their stay with a stern warning that a repeat of their acts shall be severely dealt with.

Meanwhile, BI law enforcement division chief Wilfredo Poquez denied a news report that the models were manhandled by his men when they were arrested.

Poquez said it is not true that his men acted like thugs, adding that all BI operatives are properly trained on the ethics of their job as enforcers of Philippine immigration laws.

“Prior to every operation, I always remind my men to be always polite and courteous in serving mission orders on foreigners. I will never tolerate any of them to defy this instruction,” Poquez said. (BI News)

Commissioner Marcelino Chicano Libanan, or “Nonoy” as he is fondly called, was born on September 20, 1963 to Atty. Camilo C. Libanan and Pacita C. Libanan. He is married to Elda Ellado Libanan, a teacher by profession, and are blessed with five children, Eloisa Salvacion, Sol Angelie, Stella Maris, Marian June and Brad.

Commissioner Libanan completed his primary education at Taft Elementary School at his home town in Taft, Eastern Samar where he was a consistent Honor Student. His Secondary education was completed at the Seminario de Jesus Nazareno, Borongan, Eastern Samar in which he graduated gold medalist. His B.S. Medical Technology and Bachelor of Laws degrees were obtained from the Divine Word University in Tacloban City wherein he was a Leyte-Samar Diocesan Scholar and a 100% academic scholar of said university. He passed the Philippine Bar in 1988.

The Commissioner served in various elected positions prior to his appointment to the Bureau of Immigration. He became known as one of the youngest public servants of the country who continuously champion the ideals of new politics based on visions, programs and performance rather than politics of personalities and patronage.

The Commissioner was a Member of the House of Representatives representing the Lone District of Samar in the 11th, 12th, and 13th Congresses of the Republic of the Philippines. As such, he served in various capacities among which were , as Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Communication, Chairman of the Committee on Justice, Ex-Officio Member of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) and Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments. He also served as the Majority Floor Leader of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA).

During his stint as Chairman of the Committee on Justice of the 12th Congress, then Commissioner Libanan authored, shepherded and defended in the plenary debates several major bills on judicial and penal reforms that were successfully enacted into law. Significantly, the normally rustic and less interesting Committee on Justice, became a virtual arena where learned artisans and gladiators of law, crossed swords with each other in defense of the Constitution, in pursuit of good governance, and to probe the excess of high and impeachable officials. Albeit junior in age, the young Libanan skillfully steered and capably manage the highly-spirited debates in disposing (5) impeachment complaints - an unprecedented feat in the entire history of Philippine Congress.

In the JBC, Commissioner Libanan actively participated in the screening and selection of Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and the Sandiganbayan, as well as Judges of first-level courts all over the country.

In the entirety of his three consecutive terms in the House of Representatives, the Commissioner authored and sponsored several vital legislation of national and local significance, many of which were enacted into law.

In the political front, he served as Acting Secretary-General of the biggest political agroupment in the country - the Lakas-CMD with no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Speaker Jose De Venecia sit as Chairperson and President respectively.

Other positions held were Senior Board Member of the Province of Eastern Samar, the youngest Board Member of the Country at the age of 24, and Vice-Governor of his home province.

Various honors and awards were also bestowed to the Commissioner during his life in public service. Emeritus Congressional Hall of Fame of 2005 Awardee and Most Outstanding Congressman for four consecutive years from 2001-2004, to name a few.

Source: Bureau Of Immigration

OTHER POSITIONS HELD

• EX-OFFICIO MEMBER, Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) Supreme Court of the Philippines (March 2003-August 2004)
• CHAIRMAN, Committee on Justice (12th Congress)
• VICE CHAIRMAN, Committee on Constitutional Amendments (12th Congress)
• VICE GOVERNOR, Province of Eastern Samar, 1992-1995
• EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT, Vice Governors League of the Philippines
• NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE OFFICER, National Movement of Young Legislators
• SENIOR BOARD MEMBER, Province of Eastern Samar (1988-1992)
• The youngest Board Member of the Country at the age of 24
• LIEUTENANT COLONEL (Reserved), Philippine Army, Armed Forces of the Philippines
• MEMBER, World Jurist Association (WJA) 2002-present
• PRESIDENT, Provincial Board Membert Association of Region VIII, 1989, 1992
• PRESIDENT, Divine Word University Supreme Student Council, 1983-1984
• PRESIDENT, Seminario de Jesus Nazareno Alumni Association, 1992
• CONSULTANT, National Youth Commission, 1996-1998
• CONSULTANT to the Senate President, 1995-1996

EDUCATION

• BACHELOR OF LAWS, Divine Word University, Tacloban City, 1983-1987
• (Passed the Philippine Bar in 1988)
• B.S. MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, Divine Word University, Tacloban City, 1979-1983
• SECONDARY, Seminario de Jesus Nazareno, Borongan, Eastern Samar, 1975-1979
• Graduated Gold Medalist
• PRIMARY, Taft Elementary School, Taft, Eastern Samar, 1969-1975
• Consistent Honor Student
• SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS
• Leyte-Samar Diocesan Scholar, Divine Word University, 1979-1983
• 100% Academic Scholar, Divine Word University, 1980-1981 and 1985-1986
• Development Management Program for Young Legislators, Asian Institute of Management, AIM Development Management Center, Club John Hay, Baguio Cit

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Emeritus Congressional Hall of Fame of 2005 Awardee by the Congress Magazine, Trade Express Asia, Philippine State College of Aeronautics and CSP International Commodities Corporation
• Voted Most Outstanding Congressman for four consecutive years from 2001-2004 (Hall of Famers) by Makati Graduate School, Reserved Soldiers Union, and UNTV Channels 37&39
• Voted as Outstanding Solon of 1998 by the League of Press Association of the Philippines
• Plaque of Appreciation for continued human rights advocacy, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, 1994
• Red Feather Leadership Award as Outstanding Board Member, Provincial Board Members Association of the Philippines, Makati, Metro Manila 1993
• White Dove Awards for Peace Initiatives, National Alliance for Democracy Foundation, Quezon City, Philippines 1992
• Club Merit Award for Outstanding Quality of Service, Leadership and Dependendability, Rotary Club of San Juanico, Tacloban City
• Topnotcher, San Jose Seminary Entrance Examination, Ateneo de Manila University 1979

LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• CONGRESSMAN, Lone District of Eastern Samar (11th , 12th , 13th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines)
• MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER, Commission on Appointments (13th Congress)
• COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS (13th Congress)
• Vice Chairman, Committee on Justice
• Member, Committees on:
• Ways and Means
• Accounts
• Constitutional Amendments
• Games and Amusements
• Transportation and Communications
• Legislative Franchises
• Oversight
• Appropriations

MAJOR LEGISLATIONS ENACTED INTO LAW:

A. JUDICIAL REFORMS

Republic Act No. 9227
Principal Author/Principal Sponsor
AN ACT GRANTING ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION IN THE FORM OF SPECIAL ALLOWANCE FOR JUSTICES, JUDGES AND ALL OTHER POSITION IN THE JUDICIARY WITH THE EQUIVALENT RANG OF JUSTICES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS AND JUDGES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
October 23, 2003 (12th Congress) National

Republic Act No. 9279
Principal Author/Principal Sponsor
AN ACT STRENGTHENING AND RATIONALIZING THE NATIONAL PROSECUTION SERVICE, THE LEGAL STAFF AND OTHER OFFICIALS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
March 30, 2004 (12th Congress) National

Republic Act No. 9282
Principal Author/Principal Sponsor
AN ACT EXPANDING THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF TAX APPEALS (CTA), ELEVATING ITS RANK TO THE LEVEL OF A COLLEGIATE COURT WITH SPECIAL JURISDICTION AND ENLARGING ITS MEMBERSHIP, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1125. AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LAW CREATING THE CTA AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
March 30, 2004 (12th Congress) National

Republic Act No. 9285
Principal Author/Principal Sponsor
AN ACT TO INSTITUTIONALIZE THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES AND TO INCORPORATE THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
April 2, 2004 (12th Congress) National

Republic Act No. 9307
AN ACT CREATING ONE ADDITIONAL REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH FOR THE PROVINCE OF EASTERN SAMAR, WITH STATION AT THE MUNICIPALITY OF BALANGIGA, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (I) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980
July 28, 2003 (12th Congress)

Republic Act No. 9406
AN ACT REORGANIZING AND STRENGTHENING THE PUBLIC ATTORNEY'S OFFICE (PAO), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 292, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1987", AS AMENDED, GRANTING SPECIAL ALLOWANCE TO PAO OFFICIALS AND LAWYERS, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
March 23, 2007 (13th Congress)

B. POLITICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS

Republic Act No. 9189
Author/Co-Sponsor
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A SYSTEM OF OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING BY QUALIFIED FILIPINOS ABROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
February 13, 2003 (12th Congress) National

Republic Act No. 9225
Principal Author/Principal Sponsor
AN ACT MAKING CITIZENSHIP OF PHILIPPINE CITIZENS WHO ACQUIRE FOREIGN CITIZENSHIP PERMANENT, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE COM. ACT NO. 63, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
August 29, 2003 (12th Congress) National


C. CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

Republic Act No. 9165
Author/Co-Sponsor
AN ACT INSTITUTING THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 2002
June 7, 2002 (12th Congress) National

Republic Act No. 9160, as amended by Republic Act No. 9194
Principal Author/Principal Sponsor
AN ACT DEFINING THE CRIME OF MONEY LAUNDERING, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR THE OTHER PURPOSES
September 20, 2001, amended March 7, 2003 (12th Congress) National


D. ECONOMIC AND FISCAL REFORMS

Republic Act No. 8800
AN ACT PROTECTING LOCAL INDUSTRIES BY PROVIDING SAFE IN MEASURE TO BE UNDERTAKE IN RESPONSE TO INCREASED IMPORTS AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF

Republic Act No. 8794
AN ACT IMPOSING A MOTOR VEHICLE USER’S CHARGE ON OWNERS OF ALL TYPES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Republic Act No. 8751
AN ACT STRENGHTENING THE MECHANISMS FOR THE IMPOSITION OF COUNTERVAILING DUTIES ON IMPORTED SUBSIDIZED PRODUCTS, COMMODITIES OR ARTICLES OF COMMERCE IN ORDER TO PROTECT DOMESTIC INDUSTRIES FROM UNFAIR TRADE COMPETITION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 302, PART 2, TITLE II, BOOK I OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1464, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE TARIFF AND CUSTOMS CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS AMENDED


E. ENVIRONMENT

Republic Act No. 9003
Co-Author/Co-Sponsor
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
January 26, 2001 (11th Congress) National

Republic Act No. 8749
Co-Author/Co-Sponsor
CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999
June 23, 1999 (11th Congress) National

F. INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS

Republic Act No.8974
AN ACT TO FACILITATE THE ACQUISITION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY, SITE OR LOCATION FOR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
July 24, 2000 (11th Congress)

Republic Act No. 8975
AN ACT TO ENSURE THE EXPEDITIOUS IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLETION OF GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS BY PROHIBITING LOWER COURTS FROM ISSUING TEMPORARY RESTRANING ORDERS. PRELIMINARY INJUNCTIONS OR PRELIMINARY MANDATORY INJUNCTIONS, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
November 7, 2000 (11th Congress)

Republic Act No. 9176
Principal Author/Principal Sponsor
AN ACT EXTENDING THE PERIOD UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2020 FOR THE FILING OF APPLICATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE LEGISLATION (FREE PATENT) AND JUDICIAL CONFIRMATION OF IMPERFECT AND INCOMPLETE TITLES OF ALIENABLE AND DISPOSABLE LANDS OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE COM. ACT NO. 14J, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC LAND ACT
November 13, 2002 (12th Congress) National


G. LOCAL LEGISLATION

Republic Act No. 9312
AN ACT CONVERTING THE EASTERN SAMAR STATE COLLEGES (ESSC) INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE EASTERN SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY, INTEGRATING THEREWITH THE MAYDOLONG NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MAYDOLONG, PROVINCE OF EASTERN SAMAR AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
July 28, 2003 (12th Congress)

Republic Act No. 9394
AN ACT CONVERTING THE MUNICIPALITY OF BORONGAN IN THE PROVINCE OF EASTERN SAMAR INTO A COMPONENT CITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE CITY OF CITY OF BORONGAN
March 16,2007 (13th Congress)