Prohibition on Foreign Tourists in Engaging in Political Activities in the Philippines

July 3, 2015

BI OPERATIONS ORDER NO. SBM-2015-025

PROHIBITION ON FOREIGN TOURISTS IN ENGAGING IN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Immigration receives reports of foreigners joining, interfering and undermining political activities in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, foreign tourists in the Philippines are not entitled to all the rights and privileges granted to the citizens of the Philippines, specifically the exercise of political right which are inherently exclusive to Filipino citizens;

NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to the commissioner's rule-making authority under Commonwealth Act No. 613, Section 3, the following shall be observed;

SECTION 1. Foreign tourists in the Philippine are enjoined to observe the limitation on the exercise of their political rights during their stay in the Philippines. Foreign tourists are prohibited from engaging in any political activity as defined by law and jurisprudence, such as but not limited to, joining, supporting, contributing or involving themselves in whatever manner in any rally, assembly or gathering, whether for or against the government.

SECTION 2. Foreign tourists who violate the provision of this Circular shall be subject to deportation proceedings under Section 37 (a) (7) of Commonwealth Act No. 613, as amended.

SECTION 3. This Operation Order shall take effect immediately.

Furnish copies of this Operations Order to the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR), U.P Law Center, U.P Diliman, Quezon City.

 

(SGD.) SIEGFRED B. MISONCommissioner

Approved:

 

(SGD.) LEILA M. DE LIMASecretaryDepartment of Justice