Pinoy Big Brother ‘housemates’ fined for working illegallly

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has ordered two stars of the ABS-CBN hit reality show "Pinoy Big Brother" (PBB) to pay fines for working in the country without securing permits, in violation of immigration rules.

Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez Jr. said Filipino-American Sam Milby and Filipino-Israeli Uma Barum should pay P40,000 and P10,000 respectively for the delayed filing of their special work permits.

Fernandez explained that even though the two TV performers filed their applications for work permits late, they have since shown good intent and earnest efforts to abide by immigration rules.

Their effort, Fernandez said, spared the two from being deported.

Accompanied by representatives from ABS-CBN, Milby and Barum went to the BI head office in Intramuros, Manila yesterday to answer the summons sent them by immigration officials.

The BI said the two did not secure necessary work permits when they joined the TV reality show in September last year.

The two admitted they filed their permits too late after being summoned.

Under immigration laws, foreigners who want to be employed in the country should secure a work permit or working visa from the BI.

Milby and Barum appealed to Fernandez not to penalize them for joining "PBB" since they were not paid during the shooting of each episode of the reality show.

Both admitted to also appearing on various shows on ABS-CBN after the "PBB" season ended.

Milby and Barum were among the 12 "housemates" who participated in ABS-CBN’s show that concluded last Dec. 10.

Both reportedly signed a contract with ABS-CBN last year to participate in "PBB" but it was only last week that they applied for their working permits.

Milby appeared in a toothpaste television commercial before joining "PBB" as a replacement for a housemate who quit a few weeks into the contest.

After being eliminated from the contest, Milby started appearing on ABS-CBN’s Sunday musical variety show "ASAP."

Barum, popularly known as Khouny, is a former ramp model who has been seen making guest appearances on ABS-CBN talk shows after emerging as a finalist in "PBB."

"They were not earning yet during the duration of the show, which means that they were technically not working at that time so we can’t give them a harsher penalty," Fernandez stressed.

Milby was slapped the bigger penalty since he appeared in a TV ad for a popular toothpaste brand before joining "PBB" as replacement after one of the female contestants of the reality show left.

The two agreed to pay the penalty and signified their intention to apply for citizenship. Their reply elicited applause from their screaming fans among BI employees.

The two became popular TV personalities after their stint in "PBB." They have appeared on various TV and off-screen shows after the reality show, which is scheduled for its second season, became a hit.

Once their applications for working permits are granted, the two can enjoy working in the country without any conflicts for at least three months.

Fernandez said, though, that if they plan to work here longer, they would have to apply for the longer work permit from the Department of Labor and Employment.