News Update Immigration intensifies drive against corruption

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is intensifying its drive against graft and corruption by adhering to programs on honest and excellent public service. Immigration commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said Tuesday the bureau will stick to provisions of the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 (Republic Act No. 9485), especially in processing visa applications and other Immigration documents. The Immigration chief warned BI employees that irregularities will not be tolerated and that those who defy his order will be punished. “We also aim to be more accessible to the public through a competent and efficient public assistance desk or complaint desk,” he said, noting that complaints may be filed directly with his office. There is a need for a new Immigration Act that will replace the present law passed in 1940 when the country was still a US commonwealth, David said. A bill now pending in Congress “aims to strengthen the role of our bureau in securing and protecting the country, its sovereignty and its people,” he said. — VS