The Department of Justice (DOJ) suspended the implementation of the revised travel guidelines for overseas-bound Filipinos on Thursday following criticism from lawmakers and the general public.
Published recently by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), the revised guidelines provide a list of supporting documents that an immigration officer might request from a Filipino traveler based on the stated purpose of travel.
For instance, tourists may be asked to present proof of financial capacity and employment as well as birth certificates on top of the basic requirements such as a passport valid for at least six months, a valid visa if a visa is required, a boarding pass, and a confirmed roundtrip ticket.
Some lawmakers, including former immigration chief and now Cagayan de Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez and Senator Jinggoy Estrada, said the revised guidelines, which were supposed to be implemented beginning September 3, would violate the constitutionally guaranteed right to travel.
On Wednesday, the Senate passed two resolutions urging the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), which is headed by the DOJ, to suspend and review the guidelines, as well as for senators to challenge their constitutionality, if necessary, before the Supreme Court.
”In light of recent concerns raised by our esteemed senators and to address the importance of transparency and public consultation, the Secretary of Justice, Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla, has deemed it necessary to clarify the issues surrounding the revised guidelines to both the senators and the public,” the DOJ said in a statement.
”We take this opportunity to remind everyone that the temporary suspension of the implementation of the revised guidelines on departure formalities does not affect existing laws and regulations governing travel and immigration procedures. All existing rules and guidelines remain in place until further notice,” it added.
The DOJ also said the revised guidelines were ”not intended to burden the general public but rather to enhance the overall experience of departing passengers.”
