RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE APPROPRIATE SENATE COMMITTEES TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE QUESTIONABLE CONDUCT OF OFFICIALS OF THE BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION ON THE PROFILING OF FILIPINO PASSENGERS WHICH RESULTS IN DISCRIMATION AND IMPAIRMENT OF RIGHT TO TRAVEL

Whereas, under the Philippine Constitution, the liberty of abode and of changing the same within the limits prescribed by law shall not be impaired except upon lawful order of the court. Neither shall the right to travel be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided bylaw;

Whereas, impositions against the right to travel should not be construed to give the officers and employees of the Bureau of Immigration the opportunity to profile a person merely based on physical attributes. While it is true that passengers entering some terminals are questioned, Filipinos should not be treated differently based mainly on physical appearance. Immigration officers may ask about the destination of the passenger or the purpose of their trip. However, passengers not suspected of any violation of laws, rules or regulations may not answer questions from immigration officers about their personal business;

Whereas, the government is duty-bound to protect its citizens from discrimination on the basis of physical attributes, ethnicity, religion, gender and employment, among others. While prejudices and biases may not be simply and instantaneously purged, government officials should set an example in the discharge of their regular duties and functions;

Whereas, based on reports, some Filipino passengers departing from the Philippines are being singled out by immigration and airport officials based on their physical appearance. They are being asked to step aside without any explanation on their exclusion from the other departing passengers;

Whereas, there is a need to strengthen the immigration guidelines in order to provide a mechanism in the profiling of Filipino passengers to avoid negative stereotypes of the physical appearance resulting in discrimination. Most of the countries recognize the Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques (SPOT) program that subjects some passengers to questioning by behavioral detection officers. This measure should be used as a tool in reducing discrimination and not as an obstacle for passengers who reside in the Philippines.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved to direct the appropriate Senate Committees to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the questionable conduct of officials of the Bureau of Immigration on the profiling of Filipino passengers which results to discrimination and impairment of right to travel.
DOWNLOAD SRN 105