Senate inquiry on new travel rules to push through -Zubiri --- By HANA BORDEY, GMA Integrated News

The Senate will continue its inquiry into the new guidelines released by IACAT (Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking) on Departure Formalities for International-Bound Filipino Passengers despite the Department of Justice’s suspension of its implementation. “So isu-suspend muna nila, but at the same time, they have to explain to us how did they come up with these guidelines. Ano ba ang pagbabasehan nila dito sa mga guidelines na ito?” Zubiri said in a press conference Thursday. Among the topics that will be discussed during the hearing is how will the government address human trafficking without imposing strict guidelines on all out-bound passengers. “What are the reasons why you have these guidelines? Alam po natin to combat human trafficking but there are ways of doing it. Why don’t we target the illegal recruiters, why don’t we target the human trafficking syndicates? Yan ang kailangan gawin,” he said. “I am thankful to the Secretary for heeding the suspension calls of the Senate and maybe, we can have further discussions on the succeeding hearings to come particularly on the issue on travel guidelines,” he added. On Wednesday, Zubiri delivered a privilege speech on the new IACAT guidelines pointing out that this curtails the Filipinos’ right to travel and that the new burdensome rules might be prone to corruption. His speech was supported by several senators and led to the adoption of a resolution urging IACAT to suspend that implementation of its new guidelines and another resolution authorizing Zubiri to file a temporary restraining order before the Supreme Court if necessary. A day after the adoption of the Senate resolutions, the DOJ announced that it is suspending the implementation of the new departure guidelines for Filipinos which were supposed to take effect on September 3. While he thanked the IACAT for heeding the chamber’s call, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said that the issue will not stop on the halting of the new rules’ implementation. “This is indeed a testament that our government listens. But our work does not stop here. We look forward to a dialogue with Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and the IACAT council to resolve the issues and find better solutions to combat human trafficking,” Villanueva, who filed a resolution seeking an inquiry to review the guidelines, said. “Our position remains. The revised IACAT travel guidelines are unreasonable, prone to abuse, and misplaced. The government should not put the burden on our kababayans but instead strengthen their programs against trafficking,” Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate public services committee, also welcomed the DOJ’s decision, saying this “averted what could have been a chaotic situation at our airports with the possible flight misses and boarding delays due to the cumbersome requirements.” Under the new guidelines, all Filipino outbound travelers are required to undergo immigration inspection and present basic travel documents such as a valid passport, boarding pass, appropriate visa, and confirmed return or roundtrip ticket. Immigration officers are also mandated to interview the passenger about their purpose for travel and ask for relevant clarifying questions and additional supporting documents. The DOJ earlier said that the guidelines aim to address “emergent trends in human trafficking” and claimed that they will not hamper Filipinos’ right to travel, nor impose additional requirements. In an ambush interview, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said they are waiting for the Senate’s invitation so they can discuss the travel guidelines. Remulla also said that the attitude of the Immigration officers is sometimes the problem. “Kaya ngayon, nag-usap kami ni Commissioner Tansingco na ang training nila ay reminders talaga kung paano mag handle ng situations where questions have to be asked,” he said.—LDF, GMA Integrated News