Lack of quorum also derails Immigration Act

MANILA, Philippines - Lack of quorum in the House of Representatives last Friday derailed not only the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill but the proposed Philippine Immigration Act of 2009 as well.

Among other provisions, the Immigration Bill seeks to extend the term of office of incumbent Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan Jr. and his two associate commissioners.

The bill’s final version was contained in a Senate-House conference committee report, one of three that Speaker Prospero Nograles placed on the House’s agenda for ratification.