The Bureau of Immigration (BI) fined yesterday celebrities Vanessa del Bianco, Troy Montero and his younger brother KC P100,000 each after they surrendered and admitted they had been working in the Philippines without the proper visas.
Immigration Commissioner Andrea Domingo imposed the fine on the three television and movie personalities after they appeared at her office, lawyers in tow.
Unlike Del Bianco and Troy Montero, who were allowed to remain in the Philippines pending completion of their immigration papers, KC was ordered to leave Manila by 5 p.m. tomorrow.
Domingo said KC had to leave because he was classed as an overstaying tourist and had to leave the country before he could apply for a permit to reenter the Philippines.
Upon their lawyers’ request and in deference to the good faith displayed by the actors in turning themselves in, Domingo agreed to recall her order for their arrest.
However, Domingo warned Del Bianco and Troy that she will have them arrested and deported if they do not secure either a work permit or recognition as Filipino citizens.
Del Bianco and the Montero brothers claim Filipino citizenship as their mothers were still Filipino citizens when they were born. All three have pending petitions for recognition as Filipino citizens with the BI.
Immigration Director Roy Almoro said he recommended the issuance of the arrest order against the actors after they repeatedly ignored summons to submit necessary documents to the bureau in connection with their petitions.
Almoro said both Del Bianco and the Troy have been working in the country for the past three years and that Troy had previously been fined P100,000 by the bureau for the same offense in the past.